Western 140:

If your 1994 S 320 is fitted with a 722.3 transmission it should have the shift pattern P-R-N-D-3-2-1

If it is equipped with the 722.5 the pattern at the shift gate should read: P-R-N-D-4-3-2-1

The 722.6 first appeared on the S 500 on 1996 and on 1997 for S 320s.

Still in doubt? Check the link below and type your VIN at the box as WDB1400321Axxxxxx (no spaces, replace the "x"s with your serial numbers), then mark the "full version" box. At the production list that opens the transmission number should be listed. Check for the first four numbers.

http://www.mbclub.ru/mb/vin/?lng=eng


No matter if your transmission is the 722.3 or 722.5, have your fluid and filter changed!!! This works wonders on problems for M-B auto transmissions. After filter and fluid change, the problem may or may not improve inmediantly. Try driving the car at least for a couple of hundred miles to see if it improves.

The 722.4 is commonly known as more reliable, kind of an old workhorse. The 722.5 is well known as a trouble maker. Being a transition model between the 722.4 and the more refined 722.6, the 722.5 tends to come up with constant issues one way or the other.

Good luck!

__________________
A. Rosich
CL 500, 1998
S 500 L, 1998
E 320 T, 1995 [Sadly sold ]

Thanks for the advice. I have the 722.5 tranny. The S320 never had a four speed automatic...always five speed. I had the fluid and filter changed about nine months ago or so, so I guess I'll just keep driving it for now. The problem has returned to being an intermittant issue. I don't know why it was doing it all the time there for a while.

Someone said I was living large for a student...this is true. I did some real estate investing before going back to grad school. This is definitely the way to be a student And the Rolls Royce is my best friend's car. We've been housemates for years, and we share cars all the time, so, just listing everything I'm drivin' these days. We've had many different cars over the years, and the Rolls has proven to be the most reliable by far--figure that one out.

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Mark S.
Seattle

1998 Mercedes S420, Smoke Silver, 138K

Gotta love real estate. The poor college student thing just ehh doesn't work for me either.

Any pics of the old Rolls? I love British cars, and old Rolls are a bargin now considering what they cost new. I think it would be fun just to wrench on one a bit.

__________________
2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Make sure the throttle valve / modulator cable is adjusted correctly.
Those can cause wierd shift behaviors. You will need shop manual or
repair shop to show you how to check this.
Does it have a long wait time before reverse engauges?
.5 trannys are not too expensive for reman units even from us here at the old
dealership.
The last one I quoted to overhaul with hard parts cost more than a exchange
unit with warranty.
If it is adjusted ok and upshift delay is working ok, I would drive it until it
goes no more. Then install new gearbox.

I bet it is cheaper than your 1988 Roller's trans.

__________________
Dr.Diesel -
Shop Foreman
Master Guild Mercedes-Benz Technician.

Think the dealer is expensive? Do you know how much it costs to train a dealer tech? Or buy the required MB special tools to have on hand?

According to a 1994 U.S. S-class brochure, the S 320 was indeed equipped with a 5-speed transmission.

Although, as far as I understand, the 722.5 first appeared at the middle of 1993. Before that, all S-class models were fitted with 4-speed auto transmissions.

The V-8s got their 5-speed until early 1996, when the 722.6 was introduced. The 722.6 appeared on S 320s until late 1996.

__________________
A. Rosich
CL 500, 1998
S 500 L, 1998
E 320 T, 1995 [Sadly sold ]

I have a 1992 300SE with a 5-speed overdrive transmission.

Tim

If your going to buy a Rolls the one that you have is a great one to own. A friend of mine from Florida is really into Rolls Royce cars. The Spurs and Spirits of that era are very dependable and rather trouble free. Other than the high cost of parts they are rather cheap to own. Some of the car's from the 70's are a different story with their expensive and unreliable hydraulic brake systems and carburators.

The same friend's mom has a 1976 Rolls she refuses to drive that was purchased new for her. She was involved in several accidents where people staring at her just drove right into her. Even though it has been smacked a few times the car is gorgeous and only has about 30K miles on it. I have driven a few of his cars and the stare factor is something to get used to on the road and in gas stations where 9 times out of 10 people will strike up a conversation with you about your car.

I have considered buying a late 80's Spur and upgrading the headlights to the european spec ones. Unfortunatly I live in a not so great area and my driveway full of Mercedes cars attracts way too much attention already.

I was once told by someone:

"Roll up in a Ferrari and anyone you are trying to do a deal with will screw you or charge you accordingly"

I imagin the same thing is true for a Royce, not so good for the public image.

Everyone has a MB so no one cares about them, but RR draw attention.

__________________
2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Thats the thing about Ferrari's and Rolls Royces. They age so gracefully. If you pull up in a 1970's Mercedes people don't really notice. Pull up in a 1970's Ferrari or 1970's Rolls Royce and people take notice and are "impressed". They are a lot of bang for the buck if you want to draw attention to yourself. I'm more interested in their construction and quality than anything and would probably eventually find the attention factor annoying. In no other car do you find the level of construction and design as these cars.

I have always had a soft spot in my heart for what I like to call "B side" Ferrari's. They are Ferrari's that are not as well known but are still Ferrari's sort of like the cool songs on the other side of the Album that nobody listens too. Mondial's and 400i's ares some of my favorites especially in "off" colors such as blue and black. I have been looking for years and the prices are quite reasonable except when you get into the service costs. You can get a pristine Mondial Cabrio for about $25K with low low miles. A great fun car for driving with the top down. They are peppy but not very fast. The problem comes when you need to have it serviced. I almost bought a Mondial and then realized it was about due for its 30K service. A 30K service involves the removal of the engine and servicing of many components of the engine. It costs $15,000! Needless to say I did not buy the car. And that of course is the cost of service. Repairs depending on what they are can be more.

I might look into one of these cars again in the next few years especially if I end up building the garrage in my back yard that I have been thinking about. Having a lot of time and a climate controlled place to work with a lift makes car projects a LOT easier. Having a space where all your tools are right there and so that you can just close the door when your over it is nice as well. Even if it took me a month to perform the service it would be better than paying $15K!

I'm not a big fan of either of those Ferrari's. I think if they didn't have the horse on the nose no one would buy them anymore.

I'll take a late 328GTS for a $40k and under F car. In red of course.

__________________
2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Depends on what your looking for. If your looking for attention a red Ferrari 328 or 308 will draw a crowd in a heatbeat. Personally I would rather a 348 if I were looking to draw attention.

I like the Mondial because its a great road car and the 400i because its a nice coupe with a monster v12 in it. The thing I admire the most about the Italian cars are their coachwork and interiors. There is nothing in this world like a high quality handbuilt car. Fast is a relative really and I fully admit that most of the race inspired Ferrari's are well beyond my driving abilities.

Your right on the prancing horse though. Its very much like a Gucci handbag these days for most people. Mercedes is starting to go the same way really. High quality for the sake of being the best is an obsolete concept anymore. Now its all about minimum quality that will sell and make a profit.