w124 Tranny Swap?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 23
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From: California
1995 E320
w124 Tranny Swap?
Past couple months, I've noticed my transmission going bad, it has hard time going in reverse. I guess it's all the wearing out inside the tranny possibly does not create the necessary pressure for the reverse gear to engage. 
It's weird tho, in the mornings it "catches" for reverse fine.
Well, the question is, is it better to repair the tranny for about $2000 (estimate from a local repair shop), or look for a newer 5 speed tranny to swap to?
This leads to several questions:
- Is it even possible to get a tranny swap of a newer model?
- Is it recommended even if it is possible?
- Would it cost much more than the $2000 est for the repairing the current tranny?
I'm not a skilled auto junkie, far from it. Don't have the lift, and i don't want to work under my car supported by jacks and ramp even if I did have the know-how.
This is just a thought, to see if I want to keep the car, or sell it.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
It's weird tho, in the mornings it "catches" for reverse fine.
Well, the question is, is it better to repair the tranny for about $2000 (estimate from a local repair shop), or look for a newer 5 speed tranny to swap to?
This leads to several questions:
- Is it even possible to get a tranny swap of a newer model?
- Is it recommended even if it is possible?
- Would it cost much more than the $2000 est for the repairing the current tranny?
I'm not a skilled auto junkie, far from it. Don't have the lift, and i don't want to work under my car supported by jacks and ramp even if I did have the know-how.
This is just a thought, to see if I want to keep the car, or sell it.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
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B3 bands are worn, but nothing else if it shifts fine from 2-3 and 3-4.
These bands wear faster than anything else in there. Search my name for "722.3" and you'll find pics of my worn one.
5 speed swap will require quite a lot more work.
These bands wear faster than anything else in there. Search my name for "722.3" and you'll find pics of my worn one.
5 speed swap will require quite a lot more work.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 23
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From: California
1995 E320
Thanks for the reply Ps2cho.
That was the first thought, of the band being worn. Can you tell me the quote I should be looking for? Does 2~3k sound right to you? It seems a bit too much, for me anyways. I live in Orange County Ca.
There is something other to mention. My car has recently been studdering on acceleration (and actually on idle after some running time) especially from the first gear. On the freeway, it seems to be better, but still noticeable. I thought this would not be to the tranny, (something of a engine problem perhaps) but I did notice that in the mornings when the band is tighter (I guess the cold tightens the belt) the engine and the tranny pulls the car just fine, like it's supposed to do.
I guess I'm wondering if this rough idle (it feels as if one of the piston is not firing) is related or it's just coincidental phenomenon irrelevant to the transmission problem.
I was thinking the computer is just overcompensating for the worn out tranny?
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
That was the first thought, of the band being worn. Can you tell me the quote I should be looking for? Does 2~3k sound right to you? It seems a bit too much, for me anyways. I live in Orange County Ca.
There is something other to mention. My car has recently been studdering on acceleration (and actually on idle after some running time) especially from the first gear. On the freeway, it seems to be better, but still noticeable. I thought this would not be to the tranny, (something of a engine problem perhaps) but I did notice that in the mornings when the band is tighter (I guess the cold tightens the belt) the engine and the tranny pulls the car just fine, like it's supposed to do. I guess I'm wondering if this rough idle (it feels as if one of the piston is not firing) is related or it's just coincidental phenomenon irrelevant to the transmission problem.
I was thinking the computer is just overcompensating for the worn out tranny?
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
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Nah...Two separate issues.
I wouldn't pay more than $2000 for just the band replacement. ~16hrs labor + parts I would guess. I paid $65 for my B3 bands from Phil over at peachparts.
You just gotta decide if $2000 is worth the investment. These days you can get a nice 124 for under $4k. You might be able to part yours or sell as-is and get a lower miles one without the issue and break even.
I wouldn't pay more than $2000 for just the band replacement. ~16hrs labor + parts I would guess. I paid $65 for my B3 bands from Phil over at peachparts.
You just gotta decide if $2000 is worth the investment. These days you can get a nice 124 for under $4k. You might be able to part yours or sell as-is and get a lower miles one without the issue and break even.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 23
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From: California
1995 E320
argh stupid car.
It does this to me right after I spend 1k for rotor/brake and radiator replacement. Actually the tranny started having this prob for several months now but was not really a problem until recently, and I thought it'll be about $800 job. Only if I had known.
Dunno dunno... get another w124, might have come with problems that I might have to spend more money on top of the purchase price..
Well thanks for the input ps2cho. This sure does give me lots of things to consider before fixing this money sucker.
Another question to bug you. If I did decide to go with a different transmission say like a 5 speed, how much should I be looking at? I figure if I do decide to keep this car, I might have to change the computer on it anyways, meaning, repair the current tranny and change the computer = or a bit less than a 5 speed tranny with compatible computer? Hell, if not much difference, I'd keep this car and consider doing it.
I guess I could look for other cars than 124s, but I loves this car. Sure the 201 (?) are lighter and faster, but not as smooth ride as this 124.
Again, thanks for the info. You were a lot of help!
It does this to me right after I spend 1k for rotor/brake and radiator replacement. Actually the tranny started having this prob for several months now but was not really a problem until recently, and I thought it'll be about $800 job. Only if I had known.
Dunno dunno... get another w124, might have come with problems that I might have to spend more money on top of the purchase price..
Well thanks for the input ps2cho. This sure does give me lots of things to consider before fixing this money sucker.
Another question to bug you. If I did decide to go with a different transmission say like a 5 speed, how much should I be looking at? I figure if I do decide to keep this car, I might have to change the computer on it anyways, meaning, repair the current tranny and change the computer = or a bit less than a 5 speed tranny with compatible computer? Hell, if not much difference, I'd keep this car and consider doing it.
I guess I could look for other cars than 124s, but I loves this car. Sure the 201 (?) are lighter and faster, but not as smooth ride as this 124.
Again, thanks for the info. You were a lot of help!
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Yep...these cars can get expensive real quick catching up with back maintenance. The key signal the B3 bands are wearing will be the gear slowly getting worse. One week it may not go into reverse, then act fine for a few days, then do it again, then fine for a few days, then boom no longer wants to play. Just from what I have heard.
Parts for the actual job itself are dirt cheap. I paid $100 for 10qts Synthetic Redline D4 ATF (you can get away paying ~$40 though for Valvoline Dex III), $60 for the bands and $20 in new seals. It is the labor that gets ya
A 5 speed will require different console, clutch pedal system, clutch resevoir(?)...different propshaft...If you were handing it off to someone, I wouldn't be surprised if it would be over $3-4k. That is assuming you supplied all the parts. The manual gearboxes go for 300+, then factor in rebuilds etc....
IMO unless you do it yourself, I wouldn't do it.
Parts for the actual job itself are dirt cheap. I paid $100 for 10qts Synthetic Redline D4 ATF (you can get away paying ~$40 though for Valvoline Dex III), $60 for the bands and $20 in new seals. It is the labor that gets ya
A 5 speed will require different console, clutch pedal system, clutch resevoir(?)...different propshaft...If you were handing it off to someone, I wouldn't be surprised if it would be over $3-4k. That is assuming you supplied all the parts. The manual gearboxes go for 300+, then factor in rebuilds etc....
IMO unless you do it yourself, I wouldn't do it.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 23
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From: California
1995 E320
actually, I was thinking of a 5 speed auto. I was thinking in terms of getting a tranny from a junk yard (from a newer model) and swap it.
I was wondering if that was a feasible feat, instead of fixing the my old one, I was thinking maybe that would be better?
Do you know where I could find a MB service book for this model? I've looked everywhere for it, and can't find it, online to several bookstores. Dayam, I can't believe that doing it yourself can save so much money!
How did you get the tranny out yourself? do you own a auto garage? Or, did you do it in your house garage? I can't imagine anyone taking their transmission out in their own garage, without a lift.
I was wondering if that was a feasible feat, instead of fixing the my old one, I was thinking maybe that would be better?
Do you know where I could find a MB service book for this model? I've looked everywhere for it, and can't find it, online to several bookstores. Dayam, I can't believe that doing it yourself can save so much money! How did you get the tranny out yourself? do you own a auto garage? Or, did you do it in your house garage? I can't imagine anyone taking their transmission out in their own garage, without a lift.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: British Columbia, Canada
1987 560SL
FWIW:
One guy here had the identical problem.
He visited lots of tranny shops and found one that was honest with lots of older MB experience.
They quoted him $900 for Reverse only, and $1,900 for a complete rebuild with guarantee.
That was about the best price in town, and I think it is where the top Indy's send customer MB's.
I would use that as a price guide - likely the same $$$ or less in Cali.
BTW, I heard that the 5-speed Autobox was more prone to problems than the 4 speed, but I cannot confirm that.
One guy here had the identical problem.
He visited lots of tranny shops and found one that was honest with lots of older MB experience.
They quoted him $900 for Reverse only, and $1,900 for a complete rebuild with guarantee.
That was about the best price in town, and I think it is where the top Indy's send customer MB's.
I would use that as a price guide - likely the same $$$ or less in Cali.
BTW, I heard that the 5-speed Autobox was more prone to problems than the 4 speed, but I cannot confirm that.
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I did it in my garage. All you need is a transmission jack (~$50). I didn't need any other "special" tools. Just jack the car up as high as you can. Front is most important.
$900 for reverse only is a damn bargain!!!
$900 for reverse only is a damn bargain!!!
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Santa Barbara
300e sedan
I had the 5 speed manual in the 86 300E. All the pieces bolted into a E320 cab (94). Only piece created was new drive shaft. What I didn't do was have the sensor from the 94 flywheel put in the 86 flywheel, so the 'check engine' light is on all the time, and its a one in four first time start. But it drives very fine, gets 33mpg at 75mph and you can heel toe corner it when you push hard enough.
The auto to auto is all bolts.
The auto to auto is all bolts.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 23
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From: California
1995 E320
Hmmm....
So you guys are saying that 5 auto trans swap from my 4 speed tranny is possible.
Honestly, I do not care if it's not as reliable. I do not think I'm going to keep this car for another 10 years.
Unless of course, it breaks down yearly. Then, it's just ludicrous.
So, say I if able to find a newer tranny, say a 2005? from a junkyard, it should be able to work? Since the bolts locations are the same? No new computer swap or anything?
How would my computer know to shift to 5th gear when it never did?
I'm sorry if I insult you car buffs, but I'd like to cover all the bases here.
PS2Cho, what have you done with your car and mainly, how crazy are you to take a transmission apart unless you have some mechanic shop knowledge? I'm sure I'd be willing to try it, but I'm scared as hell! I have another backup car (work van) so if it takes me weeks, it's not a problem. But I'm still scared to try. I have very limited knowledge of this stuff. I like to work on cars, and I know basically where everything is and everything does in this car, meaning I'm not like (sorry if I offend) a girl.
I've been looking everywhere for a mechanical service book for this car, but no luck. Any suggestions where I can find it?
Thanks everyone for the input.
So you guys are saying that 5 auto trans swap from my 4 speed tranny is possible.
Honestly, I do not care if it's not as reliable. I do not think I'm going to keep this car for another 10 years.
Unless of course, it breaks down yearly. Then, it's just ludicrous. So, say I if able to find a newer tranny, say a 2005? from a junkyard, it should be able to work? Since the bolts locations are the same? No new computer swap or anything?
How would my computer know to shift to 5th gear when it never did?
I'm sorry if I insult you car buffs, but I'd like to cover all the bases here.
PS2Cho, what have you done with your car and mainly, how crazy are you to take a transmission apart unless you have some mechanic shop knowledge? I'm sure I'd be willing to try it, but I'm scared as hell! I have another backup car (work van) so if it takes me weeks, it's not a problem. But I'm still scared to try. I have very limited knowledge of this stuff. I like to work on cars, and I know basically where everything is and everything does in this car, meaning I'm not like (sorry if I offend) a girl.
I've been looking everywhere for a mechanical service book for this car, but no luck. Any suggestions where I can find it?
Thanks everyone for the input.
