I recently bought a 1987 model 300E with 190,000 miles on it for my son. The car was checked out by my mechanic and he said the car was in good condition. After the inspection, I told my son to get the transmission screen replaced and to change the transmission fluid. He returned later and told me that a different mechanic told him that if he wasn't sure as to whether the transmission was serviced regularly in the past he should not change the transmission filter and fluid because it might cause things to come loose and damage the transmission. The car has 190,000 miles on it. Help!

Hello Marvin.

I'm certainly not an automobile mechanic, but I have always gone with the bedrock principle for cars: "If you buy a used car and don't know if it's been done, then do it!" I just bought a 190e a few weeks ago, and had all of the fluids changed except for the power steering fluid. I've never heard of a transmission service damaging the transmission. If you change the fluid and the gasket now, then you'll have piece of mind and won't have to worry about it for another 30k.

I have been told by several MB mechanics to RELIGIOUSLY change the brake fluid every two years and the antifreeze every three years, regardless of mileage. If you don't know the history on these two fluids, I would suggest getting them changed too.

The transmission service would be the most expensive (around $130 I think), but the others are not too bad. A small price to pay for peace of mind!

I hope that this was help for you Marvin. Take care.

This is one of those things that has been discussed manyt imes before.

Some mechanics say don't change it, some say do it.

Its a tough call. I would suggest you make sure the mechanic is a mercedes specialist. I don't take my car to any mechanic other than my mercedes independent, who only works on mercedes and has done so for 30 + years.

Alon

__________________
'92 300CE - Sold
2004 C240 - 744 - C7 Wheels - Android Radio
2002 C320 - 816 - Sport Wagon

HI guys,

Just my .02 worth. I have always bought used. Never bought new(can't afford it) and although none of my purchases had that kind of mileage on it, the first think I do after getting the car is "zero it out", meaning I change oil, filter, air filter, trans fluid and filter, coolant, brake fluid, and even the plugs(bosch super's). my '86 300E has 160,00 on it now and when I bought it it had 48,000. I do the trans myself, it's not hard just a little messy. Trans filter kits complete with gasket and new O-rings are cheap at fast-lane, about $30-40 for my E-class. The MB's are one of the few cars out there that you can actually drain the tourque converters on, so it take quite a bit of fluid to fill 'em back up(dont' overfill). E-mail me for more details if you like.

Take care
Evan

As pointed out by the previous poster, changing tranny fluid on a 722.3 transmission is pretty easy. There have been many discussions on this subject here.

If you elect to do-it-yourself, you'll need to elevate the car in some way to gain access to things as crawl space on a 124(or 126 for that matter) is somewhat limited.

I use heavy-duty metal ramps and drive the car up on them just enough to provide the needed space. I also block the rear wheels. Once this have been done, you have clear access to the converter(you drain it too) and the main pan that's a little further back. Filter is inside main pan. 5mm allen head removes both the converter and main pan drain plug. Do not over-tighten main pan bolts and use use pan gasket. Replace small washers that are on drain plugs.

The 103 motor/transmission are fairly easy to do basic maint. on. Do-it-yourself and know that it REALLY got done.

Definitly have it changed, no matter what.

__________________
2006 E350 w/ 155k miles (Daily Driver)

Previous:
1993 300E 3.2L Sedan w/ close to about 300k miles
2003 E500 Brilliant Silver (Had 217k miles when totalled!)
1989 300E with 289,000 miles (had for <1 yr while in HI)
03 CLK 500 cabrio (Mom's)
2006 C230k (Dad's)
1999 S420 (Mom's/Dad's)
2000 C230k Sport sedans
2001 CLK320 Cabrio (Mom's)
1995 C280 My First Mercedes-Benz... (155k miles. EXCEPTIONAL AUTOMOBILE. Was Very hard to let go of!)