Hi everyone,

I wanted to do a quick post to introduce myself and ask a few questions:

I'm new to Mercedes but have multiple Porsches, so very fond of German engineering! I've just acquired a 1991 420SEL for...get this...$810.00. It has 171K on the clock but I got a folder with near complete maintenance records from approx 1995-ish. Dark gray over light gray, all stock, nothing fancy. Near mint inside. Seems to have been consistently maintained by either the MB dealer or specialty shops.

Since it hasn't been driven much in the last year or so, I do have a few minor things to sort out, some of which may sort themselves out once it gets some semi-daily use, but the main item is the tranny. It has the well known Reverse lag and many times after everything is warmed up, Reverse gear will not engage at all. I'm willing to spend the money on a rebuilt transmission, but how difficult is it to do a direct swap? Are there any special tools required to DIY? I'm far from a mechanic but have a shop, access to a lift, tools, tunes, and a fridge full of beer. I'd love to meet and chat with any Northern VA wrenchers and fellow Northern VA owners.

- Darryl

Welcome. I wish my 420sel was that cheap.

__________________
1984 300SD Orient Red/ Palomino
1989 560SEC
2016 Mazda 6 6 speed manual
1995 Ford F-150 reg cab 4.9 5speed manual

Welcome to the club, Darryl. Just don't tell Mistress what you paid for your SEL. Please.

I see you're in No. VA. I hope you'll come to our GTGs. A bunch of us try to get together pretty regularly and everybody is really great.

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

I have not done a tranny swap as of yet and am sure someone will chime in, but from the looks of the transmission itself and the access you have to it in on your car, I don't think it will be very difficult. For the most part these cars are pretty straightforward and easy to work on.

Congrats on the car and welcome! I wish I were closer, I am great at drinking beer and telling people what I think they should do.

__________________
1981 300TD
2005 C55
2004 E500
1999 ML430
1992 400E
1998 C43
2001 SL500
1988 300SEL
1986 190E 16V
1991 190E 2.6

I like to sip an nice Chardonay and watch . . . .

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

Congrats on your acquisition and welcome to the club. We get together quite alot so look in the GTG section.

__________________
"It's normal for these things to empty your wallet and break your heart in the process."
2012 SLK 350
1987 420 SEL