Is this a "Good Deal"?... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

redoubthill · #1 10-03-2016, 05:37 PM

I just picked up a rust-free 1984 300D federalized Euro with a manual transmission for $900. Paint is faded and there are some small dents but the title is clean and has never been in an accident. Shortly after driving it hard to see where the weak spots are, the transmission started to make unusual noises in 1st, 2nd and 3rd, but in 4th, even a high speed there are no obvious negative sounds. Draining the fluid revealed very little debris, nothing really obvious or glaring, just really needed a change.

Anyways.....I found a 716.005 with low (165k) miles that the gentleman said he will install and guarantee for $350.00

Is that a good deal?, seems fair to me, more than fair actually.

Also, checking around; there does not seem to be a good supply of spares for these transmissions. Is my assessment correct?

What viable options are there to repairing the one in the car now?

Thanks in advance.

97 SL320 · #2 10-03-2016, 08:05 PM

$ 350 for an installed transmission is basically no money and probably worth the risk. Repairing the trans you have will be $$. Be sure to keep the old trans for spare parts.

Fourth gear is 1 to 1 so you have some sort of gear train issue. I think there are some bolts in a clutch drum that can work loose, do a search on this site and there should be a pic.

daantjie · #3 10-03-2016, 09:49 PM

Sun Valley has an excellent reputation for rebuilt Benz transmissions.

Frank Reiner · #4 10-03-2016, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redoubthill

federalized Euro with a manual transmission

Quote:

Originally Posted by 97 SL320

$ 350 for an installed transmission is basically no money and probably worth the risk. Repairing the trans you have will be $$. Be sure to keep the old trans for spare parts.

Fourth gear is 1 to 1 so you have some sort of gear train issue. I think there are some bolts in a clutch drum that can work loose, do a search on this site and there should be a pic.

97:

See OP above.

Bimmer-Bob · #5 10-03-2016, 10:34 PM

$350 for an an installed transmission seems like a no-brainer; I mean, the tranny is basically free at that point, and then some. I guess the only way you could lose is if the replacement unit is worse than the stock one. That said, if I was looking at replacing a tranny anyway, I'd be strongly considering one from a reputable outfit like Sun Valley - of course, you're talking much more money at that point, probably 3x what you paid for the car (installed). In your situation, I'd probably go for the $350 tranny.

greazzer · #6 10-04-2016, 08:56 AM

I just picked up a rust-free 1984 300D federalized Euro with a manual transmission for $900.

A true "rust free" W123 is well worth $900.00. There are not many survivors out there. Finding one is a major success. Manual trans is a plus.

Paint is faded and there are some small dents but the title is clean and has never been in an accident.

Again, a rare survivor ....

Shortly after driving it hard to see where the weak spots are, the transmission started to make unusual noises in 1st, 2nd and 3rd, but in 4th, even a high speed there are no obvious negative sounds. Draining the fluid revealed very little debris, nothing really obvious or glaring, just really needed a change.

Could need the normal R&R items which come with any old car.

Anyways.....I found a 716.005 with low (165k) miles that the gentleman said he will install and guarantee for $350.00

Keep the manual .... Install a 1985 2:88 differential and you're really rolling. Install new clutch, et cet ...

What viable options are there to repairing the one in the car now?

Keep the manual, change all the "normal stuff" ... and you found yourself a keeper.

redoubthill · #7 10-04-2016, 09:52 AM

Thank ya'll for the comments and information.

Looks like I have a "keeper" as it is truly "rust-free". Already been offered to sell it for more than what I paid for it.

Bonus is, the car has a new radiator, new tires and a new stereo.

Appears that the slave cylinder is a recent replacement, as the paint is still shiny with a little dust on it. AC is non-op, of course.

Thanks again..........

oldsinner111 · #8 10-04-2016, 10:00 AM

I don't know what fluid a Benz manual uses,but make sure its right.One oil change place ruined a Mazda truck of mine by putting ATF in my trans that used 80-90 gear oil.I had to drop the trans and rep[lace input,and output bearings.

97 SL320 · #9 10-04-2016, 07:53 PM

I went past the manual trans.

In any event, rebuilding a manual trans can be $$ if anything past bearings is needed and that assumes that the bearings are standard off the shelf units. While the trans is out be sure to inspect the clutch and replace it , machine the flywheel if needed.

Hirnbeiss · #10 10-05-2016, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldsinner111

I don't know what fluid a Benz manual uses,but make sure its right.One oil change place ruined a Mazda truck of mine by putting ATF in my trans that used 80-90 gear oil.I had to drop the trans and rep[lace input,and output bearings.

Which truck is that? Most Ford-Mazda's specified ATF for the manual trannies. 80-90 sounds like diff oil.

oldsinner111 · #11 10-05-2016, 08:09 AM

she was a 82,not ford built.I ended up later having to buy a used trans,as the atf ruined everything.I had a 92,and 94 ford built.My 82 was a timing chain engine,the good one.

oldsinner111 · #12 10-05-2016, 08:17 AM

I was raised in Richmond My dad worked at vajello. sub base.Love the fleet of ships.There were Jeep Carriers when I left.

redoubthill · #13 10-05-2016, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldsinner111

I was raised in Richmond My dad worked at vajello. sub base.Love the fleet of ships.There were Jeep Carriers when I left.

http://www.terrastories.com/bearings/abandoned-ships

I get a good opportunity to see a lot of old iron. The number of ships in the article are way more than the present situation.

Enjoy..........

97 SL320 · #14 10-05-2016, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldsinner111

she was a 82,not ford built.I ended up later having to buy a used trans,as the atf ruined everything.I had a 92,and 94 ford built.My 82 was a timing chain engine,the good one.

The Mazda trans is the same one used in Ford Rangers until 88 ( Toyo Kygo TK4 and TK5 with an aluminum lower pan ) I put a 5 speed together with used parts for my 84 Ford Bronco 2 about 16 years and probably 80,000 miles ago. It has been run on ATF since then. It had some gear whine since install but it is still going.

The steel pan units found only in some 4 WD trucks were Mitsubushi and the no pan units from 88 up were Mazda M5OD.

And, the Ford 2.3 OHC motor could have been gotten in 80's Mazda trucks. ( Ford owns / had owned a bunch of Mazda since the early 70's )

oldsinner111 · #15 10-05-2016, 06:38 PM

sorry the 84 trans had 80-90 also.Thats why these trucks were so indestructable.They started the cutting fluids for fuel conservation. Just cheked again GL 5 amsoil 80 90.