Automatic Transmission rebuild, should I do it through Mercedes?

[Sam SL]

I like to know from those who have had their transmission rebuilt to tell me if they have done it through Mercedes.  If not share your experience so I can decide on the best option to take here.   

[rjmarco]

Hi, Sam.

I just had a manual transmission rebuilt at my local MBZ dealer in northern California.  I worked with an experienced service advisor whom I've known for many years.  He also had one experienced tech who had experience working with manual MBZ transmissions from years ago. 

Patience is definitely required.  Parts come from Germany and there is plenty of room for error and reorders. 

In the end, they had my car for several weeks but I was pleased with the end result and the warranty on the work.  The dealership is expensive to use, but I didn't have a lot of choice for non dealer work.  Most people didn't want to touch this job. 

Hope this helps. 

Rich
Alamo, CA

[69280sl]

If my experience is a guide, the dealer will probably sub this work out to someone that knows "old transmissions". Their mechanics probably do not (and are probably younger than the transmission). I suggest you seek out an independent who can demonstrate the requisite knowledge.

For what it is worth, my rebuild, non dealer, about 6 years ago was around $2700 which included remove and re-install.

Gus

[Benz Dr.]

I rebuild manual transmissions if they need any work. It helps to have a good supply of used bits and pieces in case some part is needed. Generally, you would be looking at new bearings, seals, gaskets, and possibly syncro rings. I made a number of tools to work on the trans which would make this job very difficult to do without them.

I generally replace the throw out bearing and the pilot bearing as a matter of course. It takes about 10 -12 hours to do everything providing there are no major problems inside of the box.

[Rick007]

Got stranded in France 3 years ago with a broken gearbox ( automatic )  , a local MB Dealer in Lyon towed my car to the garage ( 30 km ).
Within 2 days an original MB autobox came and was installed . They charged me € 3200,- with a 2 year guarentee . This included the rental car i was given for 3 days and the towing costs .  A local shop back home i phoned gave me an estimate of 4000,-  and then i had to make sure my car got at his garage ( 850 KM )  What i'm tryiing to say is ... we often think a MB dealer is charging us the max , and in most cases they prob do ,
but not always ...........and the guarentee is solid.

Good luck     

[mdsalemi]

There are several places that advertise around, and in the MBCA Star Magazine, of providing transmission exchange service.  So, you buy a rebuilt transmission and return the core.  Labor for in and out is ~6 hours; at least that is what I was charged for.  One such advertiser is http://www.europeanexchange.com   I do not know them at all, and have not used them--but they are long time advertisers.  Maybe they are doing something right?

The decision might be akin to your starter or alternator: do you remove them and have them rebuilt?  Or do you buy a refurbished, and do a core exchange?

[Cees Klumper]

And for what it's worth - my understanding is that the auto transmission in our cars is an adapted GM box; meaning that one should be able to take it to a general auto trans shop for rebuilding without too much worry?

[stickandrudderman]

meaning that one should be able to take it to a general auto trans shop for rebuilding without too much worry?

Certainly not.
I have mercedes transmissions built all the time by a guy who does a very good job. However, he doesn't get my pagoda boxes, they go to a guy who has been doing them for 40 years, has his own little improvements and gets them better than right every time. I am privvy to only one or two of his secrets and I am sworn to secrecy!
I know he's considering retiring soon and am trying to persuade him to reveal all before he hangs up his spanners!

[merrill]

i sent two auto's to

http://www.mercedesdismantlers.com/

 one for my 66 230 and one for my 98 c230. 

both have been working great for several years  with no issues, great service and turn time.

[wbain]

Doing it yourself is not for the faint of heart.

[Nate]

ZF Bayer Transmission in Burlingame, CA. The best.

[KevinC]

I agree with Gus... with the emphasis on "requisite knowledge"!

[71Beige280SL]

I recently replaced my transmision. Went to the dealership. We discussed at length whether to rebuild or buy new. In the end, they cut me a deal that made a new transmission palatable. I am fortunate to have a mechanic that enjoys working on Pagodas. He worked with the service manager to get me a discount...rolling advertisement I guess. Could also be that I am a loyal customer. I have purchased 3 new cars from them over the past several years. Still expensive but, I won't have to worry about it for a very long time. Transmission are always costly. I wish you all a long transmission life!

[Sam SL]

I agree with Gus... with the emphasis on "requisite knowledge"!

I will go and look up the word 'requisite' and go from there.   

[WRe]

Hi,
I can't believe of the prize Rick007 mentioned. Last year an oringinal exchange automatic gearbox was 9,500 Euros at MB with 2,500 Euros refund if the old gearbox could be refurbushed, makes ca. 7,000 Euros in best case, without any workshop costs. I also spoke with several companies which are specialised to rebuild gearboxes. They all complained not to get any classic parts from MB because they built a factory to do it themselves.
....WRe

[ja17]

I know of a  BMW, Mercedes transmission specialists out there who rebuilds and guarantees these automatics for for around $2,000.00 US with converter for US (30 month guarantee unlimited miles).  I can relay the info to you if you pm me. In business for over 25 yrs.

[scoot]

http://www.mercedesdismantlers.com/ one for my 66 230 and one for my 98 c230. 
both have been working great for several years  with no issues, great service and turn time.

+1.    Sun Valley Dismantlers used to be a dismantler and trans rebuild shop.  Most of their business was rebuilding auto trans for Mercedes - local and non-local.  They have sold off all the parts inventory from the dismantler business and moved from Sun Valley (CA) into the San Fernando Valley (CA) - about 15 minutes away.   I have been there many times and Mark is the owner and quite a good guy.    All they do is rebuild Mercedes transmissions.    Note:  when they rebuilt the trans in my 1985 300TD they disabled the push-start capability of the transmission.  I wasn't too happy about that but he said it was a trouble-prone area that could damage other things if/when it fails.  Well it works fine in my other cars!  Anyway, if that is an issue discuss it with Mark.    Get Mercedes to quote a price and then look at the website above to check the rebuild price.   I don't know how much of an issue it is to ship a transmission though.  Ask Mark - they do it all the time.

[ptooner]

A few years ago my 65 230sl trans quit quite suddenly with no warning.  After a little research I discovered that the proprietor of the local Cottman Transmission shop was an antique car guy and drove an MGB himself.  I had my car towed there and he checked it out.  His decision was that the most reasonable repair was an overhauled transmission from a specialist in California.  The only problems I found were the fact that the new transmission didn't have the pressure switches which caused some wiring confusion but the job went well and the price was fairly reasonable if certainly not cheap.  Tranny has operated flawlessly for several years now.

Gerry