97MercedesS320

Hey all,

I noticed a rough shift between first and second and brought it to the dealer to have it looked at. Apparently the entire thing is a mess, all clutches are out of spec and they say the fluid looks burnt. They said that it definitely needs a new transmission which is riduclously expensive... at least $5k.

Does anyone have any experience/suggestiont with getting a used transmission or having it rebuilt? Are there any good places that know Mercedes that can do a rebuild?

Thanks!!!

dbs600

Sounds like you and I are having similar transmission difficulty (I posted the thread "1994 S500 Transmision), except mine has ceased going in reverse. From what I've read and as of my recent dealer visit, having a dealer swap yours out with one from MB (w/ a 2 year MB warranty) would cost $6k+. The pros to this is having the 2 year warranty. Though, if you find a reputable rebuild tech that would probably be the better alternative. I have heard of prices between $2.5 and $3k - though, warranty may vary completely. I do not know of any independent techs personally. At this point I am leaning towards having my transmission rebuilt instead of rhaving it replaced - Half the price! But, if the hard shifting is not too terrible - you should consider leaving it alone until you have more severe problems (who knows something else may go wrong with your car that you do not want to keep it any longer) - it took an entire year for my transmission to fail from the time I first noticed a problem. But that is up to you.

Untertürkheim

Why not change out the fluid and filter, a fresh resevior of MB ATF may just cure the shifting problems. At least it should make the transmission last longer.

Vasir

where are you located? i had a indy shop replace my tranny with a used one that has 50k miles. i had them rebuild the used one first. 2k later i have a new tranny.
if i were you, id take it to an indy shop and get a second opinion. i never trust the dealerships anymore.

97MercedesS320

Thanks for the advice!

The problem with waiting for the thing to really die is that I use the car frequently to drive between ithaca ny and nj. If the car were to cease up in the middle of the trip there's not a whole lot of civilization out there to help fix it, let alone mercedes specialists.

Also, I'm going to be driving the car across country this summer... so I'm even more hesitant to just wait for it to cease up.

I'm trying to hunt down a good transmission rebuild shop now in northern nj. Anyone have any suggestions on things to look for? typical prices? things to watch out for?

Thanks everyone!

okc329

I would certainley get a second opinion. Did you experience just one rough shift or is the problem there on each 1-2 shift? Try putting the transmission in "W" mode which eliminates the use of first gear and see how it works. Look for the best transmsission shop in the town where you live and have them look at it.

hchopurian

s 500 transmission sometimes does not shift from the first gear. i shut the engine and restart it and then the transmission shift works.may be i should try the service department of a mercedes dealer

oldsinner111

Sounds like transmission computer.

porschebuff

Well, well,well, in August 2008, i decided to have the dealer change the tranny fluid and filter on my 1994 mercedes s320 ...my car only had 109200 km and driven properly for 15 years without any problems whatsoever. Since, then I put another 16,oookm and guess what, my reverse does not work any more when the tranny fluid warms up. This is nonsense! Did the mechanic at the dealer screw around with my tranny? What do I do now?