Gearbox rebuild - W124 - worth it?

[ShivaYash]

Dear all

I'm asking a rather subjective question but I would appreciate your collective wisdom.

I've owned my W124 estate since mid 2012. It's been a great car and I love it. It's an E200 with leather and aircon. Everything works. It has covered 150k, 20k in my ownership. It has full service history. I've maintained it to the best of my abilities, using good independent garages.

Three weeks ago the gearbox started playing up and the car can't get into fourth without a fight. It's a later car and had a first gear start, something I learnt today.

A transmission specialist has suggested a total gearbox rebuild to cue the fault, at a significant cost: £1200 + VAT. This work will come with an 18-month warranty and will be done locally, to my home. I inspected their premises today and it looks good, and had an in depth conversation with the owner.

Although the bodywork needs doing a little, the car is very tidy and pre three weeks ago, drove very well.

The options are three-fold:

A) I drive it has a three speed

B) I spend the money and have the work done. After getting a second opinion on Monday. I think the price quoted is 'market rate'.

C) I try and save money and get a second hand box and have it fitted. And take my chances.

I'm heading towards option B, what do you think. What would you do? A new car at the moment is not an option for me. I'd rather not sell my car in its current state, as I'll lose too much.

Many thanks,

SY


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[John Laidlaw]

I was heading towards C) given the comments on cost, the only problem is...will a second hand one ever appear? I'm no expert but I think you might struggle to get one so youre stuck with B)

 

[brianbrian]

G.box

As I said previously, you do not have to take a chance, I have a good gear box . 75.00 pounds.

 

[John Laidlaw]

As I said previously, you do not have to take a chance, I have a good gear box . 75.00 pounds.

There you go, problem solved!

 

[om613]

I'd ask Nick (Bolide) about this. That's not much mileage and it's a 'simple' box.

A friend of mine improved his 4 speed shift by relatively simple means, One of the valve body springs goes weak. Easily done when the atf is changed / sump off.

 

[Botus]

As I said previously, you do not have to take a chance, I have a good gear box . 75.00 pounds.

if this is the right box, you could bung it in if it works great, if not you have two boxes with which to make one good one, at that cost worth the gamble ???


although I doubt the original box is wrecked....

 

[ShivaYash]

if this is the right box, you could bung it in if it works great, if not you have two boxes with which to make one good one, at that cost worth the gamble ???





although I doubt the original box is wrecked....

The gamble is around 4 hours of labour plus oils and filter. And then if it doesn't work, you are back to square one.


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[ShivaYash]

As I said previously, you do not have to take a chance, I have a good gear box . 75.00 pounds.

Thanks. Can you send me more details please? Miles covered, where are you based etc?


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[ShivaYash]

I'd ask Nick (Bolide) about this. That's not much mileage and it's a 'simple' box.

A friend of mine improved his 4 speed shift by relatively simple means, One of the valve body springs goes weak. Easily done when the atf is changed / sump off.

Thanks. I am getting a second option on Monday. And then of course will take it to my mechanic of choice next week.


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[daibevan]

good luck

 

[brianbrian]

G,Box

I bought the gear box with the engine, 15yrs ago, used the engine, kept the g,box just in case, done 69000. If I Rob you, tell every one on the forum.

 

[jaymanek]

Second hand box. The 4 speed is very reliable. A used box will likely outlive the car.

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[ShivaYash]

I bought the gear box with the engine, 15yrs ago, used the engine, kept the g,box just in case, done 69000. If I Rob you, tell every one on the forum.

Thanks. Where are you based?


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[ShivaYash]

Second hand box. The 4 speed is very reliable. A used box will likely outlive the car.

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I'm minded to agree. Spending £1200 an old car, even one I love, needs to be carefully considered.


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[brianbrian]

G.box

HONITON DEVON

 

[ShivaYash]

HONITON DEVON

Ok so how do we work our carriage? I'm in London.


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[brianbrian]

G,box

You would have to arrange pickup.I am retired,so just need to no what day,payment could be on pick up. ATF was drained while it was still warm, comes with new filter and rubber gasket for the pan.

 

[ShivaYash]

I'm in two minds... a few garages have seen the car now and its becoming increasing the clear that the box needs to be re-built.

The car won't engage fourth gear at all

1. Hornsey Tranmissions drive the car and said its a rebuild.

2. Automatic Man in Acton drove the car and said he'd like to drop the sump to see the condition of the fluid before committing to what needs doing. This is said is done without charge! Very decent of him I think, if a little onerous.
Q: does dropping the sump mean renewing the transmission fluid?

3. I've been recommended Brian Nair by the SL shop. Over the phone I was told the box needed doing, based on my observations.

4. I have been offered a second hand box - many thanks - but given the cost of carriage and fitting plus sundries, the cost comes very close to having my existing box rebuilt.

Maybe I should just buy a cheap 190e and park the W124 up for summer. There is no cheap option in sight.

Still need to finish my conversation with my usual mechanic Terry.

 

[brianbrian]

G.Box

I notice you are in London. Yes long way to Devon to pick up my G.box. Unless you find a courier to do it. Have been looking on EBay for you,EBay punch in Mercedes 124, You will see some one is breaking a running car, the Gbox will fit your car, not far from you.

 

[Botus]

I'm in two minds... a few garages have seen the car now and its becoming increasing the clear that the box needs to be re-built.

The car won't engage fourth gear at all

1. Hornsey Tranmissions drive the car and said its a rebuild.

2. Automatic Man in Acton drove the car and said he'd like to drop the sump to see the condition of the fluid before committing to what needs doing. This is said is done without charge! Very decent of him I think, if a little onerous.
Q: does dropping the sump mean renewing the transmission fluid?

3. I've been recommended Brian Nair by the SL shop. Over the phone I was told the box needed doing, based on my observations.

4. I have been offered a second hand box - many thanks - but given the cost of carriage and fitting plus sundries, the cost comes very close to having my existing box rebuilt.

Maybe I should just buy a cheap 190e and park the W124 up for summer. There is no cheap option in sight.

Still need to finish my conversation with my usual mechanic Terry.

this is utter madness -

any rebuild will need the box out of the car... so the cost to take one out and put one in is the same regardless of if u rebuild or fit another !
a rebuild will need hundreds and hundreds of pounds of parts he won't have so will either use worn old rubbish or you'll wait for parts to come in and it'll then take the guy 5 hours of labour at £80 an hour

or a well respected forum member says have mine for basically nothing,

he's a 6 hour trip away and the fuel will be £80 if u drive slowly... take a trip out of the hell whole that is London and see a bit of countryside and breath some real air. go on the a303 and stop for lunch. Its not that much fun but anything is better than being in london