It has to be one of the best automatics ever made, so much better than a .6 that it's laughable - especially in maintenance and longevity. I used to believe that I would never have a problem as long as I bought them in good working condition, changed the fluid/filter, and drove moderately. But I lost one once for a blown reverse piston seal on a morning cold start. That's the one thing you can't really control, and it's got to come out, and then you might as well rebuild the whole thing.

They don't warn you, they just start acting up. Perfect this morning, ... won't come out of 2nd this evening.

Shhhhh. It might hear. :D

Just had mine changed out at 175k, 1991 300CE. Started to lose reverse. $1500

Just to add, the tranny worked wonderfully from 111k to 175k and seemed like it would go forever, until it didn't. Advice from the tranny shop: CHANGE YOUR FLUID REGULARLY, especially for the "sealed units".

Glenmore how did you get it done so cheaply??

I just checked again and I paid $1622 total for the tranny, torque converter and rear seal. I shopped around here in SoCal. Most of the estimates came in the high teens, but when I went to the guy that actually supplies all the rebuilt trannies to everybody else, he of course had the best price.

http://www.mercedesdismantlers.com/