Hello to all!

Well last week I joined the 'no reverse' club with the reverse in my 1991 300E with 200K miles on it going. After recently replacing the head gasket, valve job, pain job, motor mounts, new suspension, and even repairing all the cracks and rips in the interior leather with leatherique products...I've decided to fix and keep the car.
After talking to approx. a dozen transmission places, I've gotten quotes for a complete rebuild ranging from $1500-$4000. 2K is about the average.
What do I look for in a transmission shop? How do I keep from getting ripped off? Cottman says never take it to AAMCO and AAMCO says the same about Cottman. All of them say that they have worked on many Mercedes.

Help

Nick

What about your mechanic? Mine rebuilds transmissions and I trust him to do what is needed and no more.
Anziani
'93 300CE 200K
'95 E420 122K

No reverse is a problem with the b3 band and corresponding clutch, piston, etc. The trans has to come out and requires at least a partial rebuild to get to these parts. What are you expecting to hear/pay?

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TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

If you can make it to Raleigh, take it to Ted's Transmission. Ted has decades of experience on MBs and is the "man of the hour" for numerous local shops - they farm the work out to him.

FWIW, he quoted me $1000 to do reverse, and a whole rebuild would be about $2500.

You can get a whole rebuilt trans for $1600 on ebay from a co in AZ (not Adsitco, however I can't find a listing now - hmm) and he quoted me $600 to install that one - and it comes with a 30 month warranty

NEVER take it to any of those big-name "Walmart" transmission shops!

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former: 83 300D, 97 C230, 93 400E

current: 08 C300 Luxury , 92 500SL

Thanks for the advise.
As far as what I was expecting to hear/pay...I've read every transmission thread in this forum. I"m aware that the average price is approx. 2.5K but I'm just afraid that someone is going to just rebuild the reverse band but charge me for a complete rebuild. I've always done all the work on the car (except for the headgasket and he moved) so I don't have an indy.

Nick

call larry's imports in va beach-757-422-3295. i used to work there and larry rebuilt the transmissions. talk to karen and make sure he still does it, it's been 10 years. if not larry, then she can tell you where or what else to do. good luck, chuck.

I just did mine, 1991 300CE with 177k. In and out was $1622 for rebuilt, torque converter and rear seal.

This guy has tons of experience, does all sorts of works for the surrounding dealers and ships all over the country.

http://www.mercedesdismantlers.com/

Anziani, since we both live in Palm Springs, which mechanic do you use? I don't have reverse either, been about 6 months now, car still goes in reverse, but won't go up an incline. Just curious as to the mechanic you use and what they charge.

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1990 190E 3.0L

I was with Motorwerkes on Ramon for many years. Then some things happened and I quit and went with Ruben Trujillo at Sentinel Motors in Cathedral City. He is right off 111 at 36839 Bankside. His # is 760-328-6906 He has done all sorts of work on three different cars of mine. I have never had a "come back" on any repair. His prices have been fair and he has never missed a diagnosis. The downside: he is buried with work and his place won't win any beauty contests but I have nothing but good words for his work.
Anziani
'93 300CE 200K
'95 E420 122K

I went to motorwerks before....I have nothing positive to say about that place, so I'll leave it at that. As for the other place I have never had service there, but I did stop by there and spoke to the guy about 3 weeks ago. I asked him for a quote on a transmission rebuild and a reman one, gave him my number to call me the following day with info and I haven't heard back from him. I figured he must be really busy.

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1990 190E 3.0L

I had Ruben reseal the tranny on my '87 300E. That was 5 years ago and still no leaks. In fact, Ruben bought that car from me as his personal ride. It now has about 250K and runs like a top!

I copied him on your "no response". I'm sure you will hear from him Tuesday.
Anziani

I had a guy here in Anaheim The "Transmeister" do my friction discs and seals for $500.00. Runs like a champ now! $250.00 to take out and put in.