99 C230-Needs new transmission--I need some advice
 

I have a beautifully maintained 1999 C230K, which I bought new. It has been serviced only by the dealers. One of the mechanics at our last dealer wanted to buy it. It has 150,000 miles and I was looking forward to my first mileage grill badge. But, yesterday the car broke down. And today, the Mercedes dealer called and said it needs a new transmission. The cost of $6,580 includes parts and labor. So, I'm pretty heart-broken about my baby.
Questions:
- 1) How much lower can I get the cost working with a non-dealer?
- 2) The value of the car is around $6,000--should I sell the car for parts/scrap or try to fix it?
- 3) If I cannot afford to fix it, how do I sell the car to get the most money out of it?

Thank you so much!
v/r, Pete

The "book rate" to R&I the transmission in the W202 is 6 hours.

The 722.6 in the E Class have been replaced for ~$3500 using local or big box rebuilders.

I'd personally get a second opinion for something that expensive or at least post the codes/adapation values here first.

Thanks, guys!
I'll call the dealer and see what codes are coming up.
We had to have the car towed in--the car was making a horrendous noise and, more importantly, could only be driven for short spurts that were measured in yards. Also, the car could not be placed in reverse.

Take a look here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/98-04-C-Class-Mercedes-C230-C320-Automatic-Transmission_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1713Q2em153Q2el1262QQcategoryZ33727QQihZ005QQitemZ1502974583 96QQtcZphoto

http://shop.ebay.com/items/__mercedes-transmission_W0QQ_nkwZmercedesQ20transmissionQQQ5ftrkparmsZ72Q253A1205Q257C39Q253A1Q257C66Q253A2Q257 C65Q253A12QQ_fromfsbZQQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQ_sopZ3QQ_scZ1