MrE420

I think that my 1994 E420 might have transmission and/or suspension issues. It has ~118K miles on it and was recently handed down to me. I've noticed these issues for the past year.

Here are the problems:
1. It takes several seconds for reverse to engage when shifting from neutral to reverse ( no clunking noise).

2. When I engage kickdown at low speeds (from 3rd/2nd to 1st gear) the car jumps/jolts really hard.

3. If I step on the accelerator in full from stop the car jolts.

Also the suspension feel really soft. When I downshift, the rear of the car will go down, then up, then back down.

FWIW, the previous owner would shift from reverse to drive (after backing out of driveway) while the car was still moving slowly - he did this for 10 yrs, so that couldn't have been good for the transmission.

My MBZ dealer wants to charge me 200+ to look at the car. Does anyone have any ideas. Also at this point does it make sense to invest in new suspension equipment? Thanks.

For the past 10 years, the previous driver would

YNVDIZW124

If you haven't changed the tranny mount or the engine mounts and your flex disc then this is normal.

Bigdot

its your tranny and your shocks im prity sure, where do you live? i have a E420 and the same tranny things happen. i know of a good guy in Socal that you should talk to if you live down here.

124-Fan

Here´s what I think is going on..
1. -You have a worn B3 clutch. ( reverse clutch ) It´s pretty common.
2. -You have a worn B2 brake band and/or possibly a faulty thrust element on the B2 brake band. This symptom is typical for such a failure. The band might also be broken.
3. -Possibly a combination of bad B2 brake band and worn drive shaft rubber mounts. There are two of them, one at each end of the drive shaft. Usually the one by the transmission fails first. Not excactly sure why, but that´s just the case.

Regarding your suspension issue.. -You need new rear shocks. I would go for Sachs. They´re German and reliable.

-That´s all folks..

Take care,

MrE420

Thanks for the feedback.

RedMongoosE, i'm located in west los angeles. Could you msg me the name of your mechanic?

I really like the car, but i'm not sure how much money i should pour into it. I'd hate to spend 5K to rebuild the tranny....

YNVDIZW124

5k? more like $1500 to rebuild it! there is a shop in long beach that is really good and really clean.

dvd218

which shop?