w210 transmission issue
 

My '96 e320 is having transmission problems. Reverse is becoming almost non-existant, upshifts are late and tend to s-l-i-d-e into the next gear instead of shifting normally. I also have to feather the throttle in order to avoid slippage through 1st and 2nd gears. The car has 103,000 miles. Is this transmission trashed or does it just need a fluid/filter change? Just for reference, the transmission is model# 722.329

Sounds like it needs rebuilding. It could be other things although loosing reverse is pretty specific. Even if it is other things if you have kept driving it, it is now due.

I am going to drop the valvebody and check for sticking valves and bad seals while I have the pan off for a fluid/filter change. I have no idea how long it's been since the previous owner had it done, if ever.:(

If I don't get positive results from this I guess I'll have to start searching for either a replacement or a rebuild facility. You seem to be fairly close to me. Any suggestions on reputable local Mercedes transmission shops?

I am a proponent of getting transmission work done by those who do the installation and warrantee. In other words, not mail order. You need you shop to be close enough to handle warrantee and should be experienced in MBs in particular.

If you are close enough to us, we fit the above recommendations. The tech who rebuilds MB transmissions for us has done so for 26 years in our shop. He has done hundreds of 722.3 trannies.