i have an 88 560sl.....was recently told i needed to have transmission rebuilt at cost of $2500 to $3000.

considering car value is below $10,000, would i be better off/save money on buying a used transmission to install?

any ideas greatly appreciated.

 

This is a tough call without more details...

o What are the symptoms you're dealing with, ex, flare on upshifting, clunking into gear, slow going into reverse, etc. Please be as specific as you can.

o What's the mileage on your car?

o When was the last time the trans fluid and filter were changed?

o Is the tech who told you you need a replacement trans either well versed in MB trans, a trans specialist, or more general automotive skills?

Help us help you-

Bob

 

bob - see replies below.

o What are the symptoms you're dealing with, ex, flare on upshifting, clunking into gear, slow going into reverse, etc. Please be as specific as you can

it started shifting harder than it should, then it just quit engaging i was barely able to drive it into the shop.

o What's the mileage on your car?

110,000 miles

o When was the last time the trans fluid and filter were changed?

not sure, but it was well cared for when i bought it a couple years back. i might have put 600 miles on it maximum. but i have not changed the fluid or filter.

o Is the tech who told you you need a replacement trans either well versed in MB trans, a trans specialist, or more general automotive skills?

yes, it actually "broke down" right in front of a transmission shop. how well versed he is in MB trans I do not know. he told me it would have to be rebuilt. i am always leery of transmission shops based on prior experience.

i really appreciate your help here.

 

I'm assuming you checked the trans fluid and it's filled to the correct mark on the stick.

The first 2 things I'd check are the shift cable connections that control the timing of gear shifts and the trans modulator that controls the firmness/smoothness of the gear shifting.

Have the tech confirm for you with you present that the shift cable is connected from the flange fitting at back of the engine down to the trans and that the vacuum modulator is working properly (holding vacuum). Have the tech remove the modulator and put vacuum to it; you'll know in a heartbeat if it's broken as it won't hold vacuum. This is a $40 to $50 part and they've been known to go bad around your mileage.

FYI, trans overhaul kits for this trans can be had for $225, but take a craftsman who knows what he's doing to do the rebuild and it does take a good bit of time to do the work.

If you don't want to get this deep in the weeds with these particulars, ask the tech to explain in english his trouble shooting/diagnostic steps that he used in determining that this trans needs to be rebuilt, and how many of this particular trans he's either rebuilt or replaced. Get references.

 

thanks bob

 

I have a friend who just wrecked his '87 560SL. I believe it has less than 100,000 miles on it. If you want I will put you in touch with each other. You'll have to make your own deal but I think he will be more reasonable than that rebuild quote you received. BTW I had my '83 107 tranny rebuilt for $1600, it's probably a different tranny but just slightly, not enough to warrant an extra $G in costs. Located in Los Angeles.

 

Delta - yes, i would like to contact your friend in LA. thanks, JT

 

Sorry for late reply but I was out of the country. Send me your email address and I will forward it to him. BTW, his '87 560SL had @ 72,000 miles b4 someone T-boned him. What a waste of a car by some idiot driver.

 

Searching this forum for advice on performance matters; I found this link and thought I'd solicit input from those (others) with experience greater than my own...

I just purchased an 88' 560SL with 137k miles. Real clean car that has little use in the past 7 years (driven only 1300 miles in past 7 yrs). The most recent owner before me and seller informed me at the time of purchase that the transmission may need to be overhauled or replaced based upon a third-party euro shop tech's advice. From what I can tell this is whats happening;

I am no sold on the fact that the transmission needs to be overhauled or replaced given that these cars are designed (and known to) perform for 100's of Thousand Miles....as well I am new to the area I am living in (Houston, Texas) and not aware of any highly qualified third-party mercedes maintenance / repair shops...and not yet ready to pull inro my local MB dealership (as we know what the prices there can be)...although maybe thats what I need to do to obtain a genuine and well founded assessment of what is actually needed (ie, modulator , tourque conventer repair, or full o/h and/or replacement). ..i will describe my symptons as follows;

Upon starting the car, shifting into gear (either reverse or forward/drive), one can "feel" the transmission shift into gear quick "stongly"..would not say its "clunking" but you certainly feel it "bump", otherwise it performs normally...as yu pull away it shifts through the ranges (still a bit "bumpy")...and while a constant speed(s) it runs normal..albeit is not "smooth"......then once I slow down, ie, to enter and turn at a cross-street, the transmission seems to "stall" or disengage....to the extent that it does no longer appear to be in gear..accellerating does nothing....then after a few seconds it will engage, usually with a strong "bump" likley due to engine speed vs. trans re-engaging....or whaterver is happening and off i go again....

So as I began, I thought I'd ask this forum for advice.

1) Take it to a Mercedes Dealer Service Center and see what they tell me?
2) Take it to another shop, i.e. Eurocar center, etc.
3) If it turns out that I do need to replace or overhaul the trans. is it reasonable to consider buying a remanufactured one on-line (over the internet) vs. having the shop do the actual overhaul of it or rely upon a tech to know what he's doing...
4) If you havve experience with having one replaced or overhauled what did you pay for it? , who did it, re: MB dealer or third party shop?

Any info you guys can give me will be greatly appreciated...

PS - i already plan to get a 2nd opinion and in doing so will follow the advice of SunGuy62 below, i.e. modular and vacumn test...