1992 300SE - 203,000

Tim

my pops 95 S600...just turned past 70,000

98 s500 62k

95 S320 - 95k

Jack

123k on my 1997 S500 Sedan.

Funny though....soon as it hit 120k my tranny took a massive dump. This was back in November '04...I decided to take it to an indipendent "shop" instead of a reputible mechanic....needless to say $4300, 2weeks waiting on a valve-body to be delivered and now 2 months later, I still do NOT have my 140 back and I'm thoroughly pissed. They have completely rebuilt my tranny and the latest is that I now need to replace my TCU (tranny control unit) which is $1200 including dealer reprogramming...

For anyone out there having trouble with their 722.6...do yourself a HUGE favor and GO TO THE DEALER!!!! Sure you'll spend more $$$, but it'll be worth it

Just to add some perspective - I also had my tranny fail on my 92 500sel. It started skipping second at 145k miles, then stopped finding fourth at 158k, and then started finding false neutrals at 160k, which was the end of trying to live with it.

I was quoted about $4500 from the dealer, $2500 from a good indie shop, $1800 from a large trans only rebuilder, and $1300 from a small shop that does Mercedes trannys only.

While I too had to wait for a valve body swap to make it perfect, overall I'm pretty happy. It shifts a little bit more aggressive than it probably "should" (running to higher rpms before shifting, firm positive shifts), but I drive aggressively so it works for me.

If I had to do it again, I would seriously consider the $1800 deal - primary reason being that they have a tranny dyno, so the trans can be fully test run after rebuild, but PRIOR to re-installing into car (which I think would avoid some possible problems). (They also offered a very thorough warranty (including towing, etc.), although the dealer did offer the best warranty (at a cost of only $2000+ (for the warranty))

-David

THanx David!

I feel royally screwed @ $4300 (which I was originally quoted $3400 from this indie shop that is doing the work). Downtown L.A. Mercedes quoted me $5900 for a factory reconditioned unit all inclusive (tranny, TCU computer, torque converter, fluids & 2yr/unlimited mileage warranty). well, after I soiled my underwear, I promptly started searcing for a good indie shop in the Los Angeles area. and with no success I ended up at this "shop".

Their initial quote was for $2200...after he dug into the tranny, the price jumped to $3400. Last week he said he was finished then discovered that there's a 1-2second delay when going from Park to Drive....after that it shifts fine. evidentally the dealer told him that the TCU was bad and that anyime you replace the valvebody, you need to replace the TCU computer as well. So after I *****ed and complained about their shoddy work and the add'l cost, they agreed to let me only pay an additional $900 for the TCU and they would absorb any additional cost

This has been a very very expensive lesson, especially since I now have to come up with $900 for the TCU

In regards to having to swap TCUs when replacing valve bodies, I can't offer specific knowledge but can offer my experiences.

We have swapped 3 different valve bodies, installing one unit 3 times and the two other units one time each, and the mechanic didn't say anything about having to reset or swap the TCU, but that I might have to drive it a few days for everything to settle in and work properly. While they offered different shifting characteristics, they all worked "properly" (smooth, positive shifts, nothing weird).

The reason that we have done this is that although my tranny seems to be working 98%+ perfectly, it will sometimes shift a little "too" hard when kicking down from 2nd to 1st. The best way to duplicate the problem is idle at 20mph for a few feet and then floor it - it will often have more of a "clunck" then I think is correct. ?!?!?

However, this is the ONLY problem, the mechanic/shop owner has agreed to continue to work with my to solve this problem (and has shown some serious good faith in rounding up parts and swapping them around without charge). Since I only paid $1300 (total, including R&R) for the tranny rebuild (under $1500 including new rear main seal and several other minor fixes), I am pretty happy.

-David

Update: Now at 233 k.

CompDoc, You should have gone to Sun Valley Mercedes Dismantlers. They offer the very best tranny rebuilds for about $3,000. Who is doing the job now?

'94 S500 cpe . . . 119k miles . . .

97 S320, 145k

1994 S500 Sedan:

Polar White / Grey
98,xxx pampered Miles
owned since new, and will never sell!

Updates (in order completed over the past 14 years):

Mercedes-Benz License Plate Frames (Mercedes-Benz Collection)
European Turn Signal Lenses (Beverley Hills Motoring Accessories)
S600 Grill Insert (eBay)
Custom Floor Mats (floor covering is the family business)
Lower Body painted to match Upper Body (Rallye Auto Body)
Model Designation removed (Rallye Auto Body)

Wish List:

Wood / Leather Steering Wheel and Shift Knob
18" AMG Monoblock II Wheels

Extreme Wish List:

Lightest possible window tint (dip process)
Brembo Brake System
Grey / Light Grey S600 Two-Tone Seat Covers
Wood Trim refinished to a darker stain

JD.

1992 300se 161.000 mi

Not on a W140, but when six nines turn unto 6 zeros..................

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4rtsv_mercedes-240d-1000000km_auto