Hi All,

Got myself in a pickle, had to drive to SF this morning and it looks like my transmission gave up. Made it to the destination, 300SE is in high gear and won’t go in reverse. I’m in the financial district in SF, looking for a good Indy Mercedes repair shop. Any suggestions?

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1979 Black on Black, 300CD (sold), 1990 Black 300SE, Silver 1989 Volvo 780, 1988 300CE (vanished by the hands of a girlfriend), 1992 300CE (Rescue).

Call Sun Valley Mercedes Dismantlers. They specialize in rebuilding MBZ transmissions. Ask if they know of an installer/repair shop near SF.
Good luck!!!

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"Rudeness is a weak man's imitation of strength" - Eric Hoffer

Take cover.

I know a Vietnamese guy in Redwood City (20 to 30 miles south of you) who has mega experience with Mercedes in Vietnam. Mercedes diesels way common there. Trannies are pretty similar, diesels - gassers, aren't they?

650 - 364 - 7766
Ky's Auto Repair

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Te futueo et caballum tuum

1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

I would sell it fast,and fly home.$3000 or more to fix it right.

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1999 w140, quit voting to old, and to old to fight, a god damned veteran, deutschland deutschland uber alles uber alles in der welt

You need to take it to reputable shop. This place if it is worth any of its electrons should be steering you in the right direction.

We left San Francisco without first and reverse gear this afternoon, the transmission is definitely shot and will need a rebuild. But I think we can make it back to LA, the highway gears work just fine. Made a stop at Frans Mercedes Services in San Carlos, only the reaffirm my suspicion . Just had the entire exhaust reworked and now this, it’s becoming an expensive proposition. I think I reached the point of no return wth this one.

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1979 Black on Black, 300CD (sold), 1990 Black 300SE, Silver 1989 Volvo 780, 1988 300CE (vanished by the hands of a girlfriend), 1992 300CE (Rescue).

Jorn ;

I feel your pain .

Time to make that fatal decision .

I could wait 100 years and never get the $ invested into my old Mercedes back out so I'll keep driving it and fixing it, I love to travel long distance n it .

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-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

Sun Valley is in Pacoima, CA, they have a great reputation. Rebuilt exchange is $1,750 with converter.

God luck!!!

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"Rudeness is a weak man's imitation of strength" - Eric Hoffer

It is almost universal that those of us who give up, sell, and replace with a modern auto-box (and style wise they all look the same) are ultimately disappointed. Many of them actually go back to a 30+ year MB.

Balance your anticipated monthly repair cost against a monthly new car payment and you will likely never buy a new car.

What's your current status?

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-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

We headed back this morning after staying in a Hotel in San Jose. We’re in Buelton, close to Solvang now, enjoying a good lunch. I’m positive we will make it, runs like a charm at highway speed. Cross fingers, but this car has always got me home safely . It deserves a new transmission .

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1979 Black on Black, 300CD (sold), 1990 Black 300SE, Silver 1989 Volvo 780, 1988 300CE (vanished by the hands of a girlfriend), 1992 300CE (Rescue).

Agree. Good luck..

We got it home save and sound. Entering LA during rush hour traffic on the 101 was somewhat daunting and nerve wrecking. At normal traffic speeds we both forgot at times we were in a slightly non functioning car, a real testimony to the quality and sturdiness of these cars. I would never have taken this journey back in a modern car with half of the transmission out. Would not expect to make it home.

Going to make a game plan tomorrow. Got an offer for the 300CE for the amount of a new transmission. Does anyone know if I can use the transmission out of the 1988 300CE in my 1990 300SE. Don’t like to go that route, but could be an option if worst comes to worst?

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1979 Black on Black, 300CD (sold), 1990 Black 300SE, Silver 1989 Volvo 780, 1988 300CE (vanished by the hands of a girlfriend), 1992 300CE (Rescue).

In my experience buying another whole car turns into a mistake unless you are going to be utterly ruthless and chuck the remains immediately!

Here in Holland a second hand transmission would be between 200 and 400 euros - one that is going to work will be closer to 2K if not more (assuming you can find a company that still repairs them)

Before buying it is always best to crawl underneath the car you've got and read off the transmission number type - replace with the same type where ever possible

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1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!