My 93' 300SE (85,000 miles) has "decided" it will not go in reverse. You can put the shifter into reverse but the wheels won't turn in that direction!
Last night I got stuck several times in one of our wonderful mid-west snow storms, the traction control light came on, and it felt like it was restricting my gas pedal, no biggie. Got in the car this AM, and no reverse, can anyone tell me where to start checking for the solution to this problem?

Q/2: I am on eBay watching an 1984 500SL from LA, seller is called "Frontline Leasing" anyone know this guy?

http://www.peterschmid.com/

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'84 300SD sold
124.128

I bought my 300CE from them and found them OK, but you have to explicitely ask about the accessories of the car, like manual, car jack, spare key, tools. Don't assume that they come with the car.

Looks like they are a small firm, which specializes in getting the cars cheap from dealer auctions and making some money by selling them on ebay.

the 1984 500SL you are looking at is about to end shortly. It won't be enough time for all pre-purchase enquiries or PPI.

The european SLs look much nicer with the short bumpers, not defaced by US bumpers (and headlight?).

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1996 E320 since 1/16/08, 171K miles as of Feb 2011

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1989 300CE - R.I.P. Dec 29 2007
Other MBs (sold): 1992 300E-24 - 1979 350SLC - 1984 230E - 1990 300CE

Thanks, but it looks like this one is starting to climb out of reach, plus I have to admit that even though I have owned over 85 car's & truck's in my life (so far) I still like to get more "Hands On." Also these older SL's are getting close, price wise to a 1998-99 SLK, which I can buy through Dealer Auction (registered), makes you think twice.

I would most certainly start by checking the transmission fluid. My wifes 1990 300TE wouldn't go into reverse. I assumed it couldn't possibly be the transmission fluid as it's a Mercedes so looked all around the issue until I actually drove the darn thing, it was shifting poorly in forward gear as well, she just didn't notice. It was 3 quarts low on transmission fluid, threw $18 worth of Dexron VI in it and it performs like a champ now. Obviously it's leaking fluid but that was like 6 weeks ago and it's still shifting fine (goes right into reverse) so I am taking the tack of not rebuilding the transmission on a 19 year old car with 124k miles on it if $20 worth of Dexron will work every several months. I'd at least at the fluid level first. Good luck...

Last time I looked, it was at $2,900 and change. How did it end? I didn't bookmark the auction and cannot retrieve it anymore.

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1996 E320 since 1/16/08, 171K miles as of Feb 2011

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1989 300CE - R.I.P. Dec 29 2007
Other MBs (sold): 1992 300E-24 - 1979 350SLC - 1984 230E - 1990 300CE

As of now the price is $3,800.00+ with about 20 min remaining. May not hit on this one but remember..."They made more than one!"

As for the fluid level, sad to say it was OK. But thanks.