Brian_I.

If you send me your VIN I can look up the exact info for you. It looks like the M103 engine had something significant change as of 09/89 but I don't know if that is a build date or a not. Seeing that you have a MY1990 w124, that could fall into the pre-09/89 category.

Wulf

I sent you a PM. The sticker on the car shows a manufacture date of 04/90.

ctphilos

I run Dexron III synthetic in my 1990 300TE 4MATIC. It's got 169K miles and climbing. I have changed the trans fluid religiously and have had no tranny problems. However, I plan to replace the flex-disk in the next month or so to ease the hard shift I sometimes get when I'm pedal to the floor coming out of first gear into second.

Wulf

I did the ATF change this weekend and it does make a noticeable difference. Shifting from 1st to 2nd is not the smoothest I have experienced in a car but it is better than it was before. Other gears are almost completely smooth now.

The fluid in there was almost completely black and the filter seemed pretty dirty. Does anyone flush the transmission by doing an extra fluid change again after a few 100 miles to get all the old fluid out? I did this on my Saabs and it was a good way to get the fluid really clean. ATF is pretty inexpensive ($4 a quart) so I think I'll do another fluid change in about a week.

It took me about 2 1/2 - 3 hours as well but most of the time spent is locating everything and getting familiar with the car. It's not really difficult at all.

Brian_I.

I had the exact same experience and results as you did. Much smoother than before but not totally smooth (as was to be expected). I thought of your idea of the extra flush, could possibly do some good. Why don't you try and tell us your results.

Wulf

I did another ATF change and the fluid was a little bit darker than new fluid but still looked very good. It doesn't make any difference in shifting so it probably isn't necessary. But it's good to know I got just a little bit more of the old stuff out.

I only needed 5 quarts to refill so it was worth the $17.50.

loclark757

Im about to change mine as well!

Would Castrol High Mileage ATF be ok for my 1988 300E?

kluvsbenz

I want to know has this debate been decided on. I am ready to buy the Valvoline Dex3/merc. Following this thread, I am sitting on the fence. Someone push me one way or the other.

kluvsbenz

Talk to a oil man that owns a Benz and he recommends Dex 3 on my 90 300E.