300E transmission question - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

MB fan 2 · #1 12-06-2003, 12:57 AM

I am looking for a 722.3 series transmission for my 88 300E. I need one of the later models that start on the First Gear.

Does anyone know the transmission number that I should be looking for that has this first gear start? If anyone has a 300E series that has the first gear start, I would be VERY GRATEFUL if you could look on the transmission and give me the part number so that I can search for the same tranny. (I believe the part number is stamped on the passenger side of the tranny right above the mating surface of the pan gasket).
It may be a little inconvenient as you probably have to lift the passenger side of the car to crawl under it and read it but I would be VERY grateful.
Or maybe somebody has a Mercedes part numbers catalog and can look into it and let me know.
I would appreciate it tremendously.
Also, are the gear ratios in all the 722.3 series transmissions the same?

Thanks in advance for any answer.

dtf · #2 12-06-2003, 12:01 PM

On the MB USA web site is a 15 year model overview that contains a lot of info about '93 and later cars. Maybe the gear ratios will be there.

pmizell · #3 12-06-2003, 12:14 PM

My '91 300E has 1st gear start. You may want to start there since you know at the least the engine is compatible.

Good luck

suginami · #4 12-06-2003, 05:23 PM

300E's went to first gear start in 1990.

MB fan 2 · #5 12-06-2003, 08:51 PM

pmizell and Suginami, if your 300E has the first gear start, can you give me the transmission part number that is stamped on it, so that I can look for one locally?
I would appreciate it very much!

suginami · #6 12-06-2003, 09:14 PM

I don't know if the transmission in 300E's with the 3.0 liter M103 engine (1986-1992 300E's) is the same transmssion that is in 1993 300E (3.2) / 1994-1995 E320's.

I think the transmission that is in 1990-1992 300E's is the same one that is in 1986-1989 300E's. The difference is in the valve body or the control module.

www.bergwerks.com sells a first gear start kit that can be retrofitted to your transmission.

deanyel · #7 12-07-2003, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by suginami
300E's went to first gear start in 1990.

Paul, I don't say this with 100% confidence but I think 1990s were second geart start still. I've heard the switch was during the 1991 model year.

suginami · #8 12-07-2003, 09:39 PM

I'm not 100% sure either, but I'm inclined to believe it was a running change in 1990.

I have Frank Barrett's book, "The Illustrated Buyer's Guide to Mercedes Benz", and in one section of the book he states it went to first gear start in 1990, and in another part of the book says 1991.

I'm sure there are users here that have posted that their 1990 300E has first gear start.

It's a controversy, anyway....

300EE320 · #9 12-08-2003, 12:25 PM

Well, I can confirm that my 1990 300E does NOT have first gear start. Maybe someone can chime in who has it on a 1990, and then we will have confirmed it as a mid-year change.

pmizell · #10 12-08-2003, 02:57 PM

MB Fan --

Here is my transmission # from the vehicle date report provided to me by a local MB dealer:

722358 03 474262

I'd imagine the numbers following the 722xxx signify something that I know nothing about.

Good luck

MB fan 2 · #11 12-08-2003, 08:38 PM

First of all, pmizell I would like to thank you very much for your help. I trully appreciate that.

Second, since the subject has come up I might as well explain whats going on with the first gear/second gear story.

The 300E was equiped with the transmission 722.320. This is the usual transmission for the 300E and the one that most 300E have. This transmission starts on the second gear..
Middle of 1989 MB started equipping the 300E with the transmission 722.358. This transmission has quite a few improvements compared to the 722.320. In adition, it has the first gear start. However, the 722.320 continued to be fitted onto the cars well into the 1991 year when it was finally phased out. The 722.358 was eventually phased out in early 1993 when the 24 valve engine came out.

The confusion is that the two transmissions overlap through the years. In other words the 1989-1991 models were equipped with either one of the above transmissions. Thats why suginami's transmission has the secong gear start and pmizell's has the first, although there are both 1991 models.

Of course the selection about which transmission would be fitted in the car was dependent upon some factors that I am not familiar with. I suspect, (but I may well be wrong on this) that it must have something to do with the rear end ratios which as we know, also were changed around this time. So, maybe the first gear start 358 tranny was fitted to the cars with the low numeric rear end ratio. The second gear start 320 tranny maybe was fitted to the higher numeric ratio cars. Again this is just a suggestion but it makes sense to me, but I am not sure about it.

By the way, the 300E with the 2.6 engine had neither of these transmissions but was equiped with the 722.4.. series.
Also the 1993, 24 valve engine cars were equipped with yet another transmission, the 722.369.

Anyway, I hope this information helps those that are looking for a transmission swap.

pmizell thanks again !!

UPDATE

I swapped my 722.320 transmission with a 722.358 from a 1991 model.
This also starts in 2nd gear

Whatever...
At least I got the improved B2 piston and some other small improvements.

suginami · #12 12-08-2003, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MB fan 2

Thats why suginami's transmission has the secong gear start and pmizell's has the first, although there are both 1991 models.

Thanks for the information. It is very helpful.

However, I have a 1993 300E (3.2) "E320", so my car starts in first gear, and has a different transmission than 1992 and earlier 300E's.