Is this a rip off

[Scottowner]

I live in France. I have a 300 TD Estate, manual gearbox. Last week it kept jumping out of 5th. This week I cannot select 5th. My local garage had a quick look and told me I needed a new gearbox, 3000Euros.
I had no previous problems with the box, it happened very quickly. Am I being ripped off or is this possible. Being an OAP I dont want to waste what little Blair gives me!!

 

[squealinneil]

That gearbox must be available from countless scrapyards for a fraction of the cost you've been quoted. You could start here:

Mercman

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I Have been quizzed on what i do and what is available many times, here's a little information for contact etc.

Supplying new and used parts for all models from 1960-2003

At least 50% discount on stealership prices.

Believed to be the biggest of our type across Europe.

Daily delivery Nationwide.

Contact me directly at work at :
E-Mail : parts@mercman.net
Tel : 023 8078 4444
Fax: 023 8078 2444
url : http://www.mercman.net (limited functionality at the moment.)

When dealing with me personally, please remember to mention MBClub and you will recieve better discount.

Thanks, Ricky

 

[MondeoMan]

Have you had a second opinion on this? I find it hard to believe it needs a complete new 'box. If it was mine and it really did need a box... I'd run it without 5th and stick it in an auction when I'd finished with it. Which is exactly what I did with a Rover 3500 I had some years ago (that was due to getting 'air' at 125mph, though...)

 

[Helmet Vonthrob]

Sounds like perhaps a selector rod bent or similar, can't imagine a 2nd hand box is much more than £250 and maybe £150 MAX to fit!!

However, things don't just break (I was driving down the road and my engine wore out!! - more likely I had been driving with no oil in it for weeks with the big ends rattling until the engine cried 'enough'!)

You could also try changing the oil in the box!

 

[tom7035]

I live in France. I have a 300 TD Estate, manual gearbox. Last week it kept jumping out of 5th. This week I cannot select 5th. My local garage had a quick look and told me I needed a new gearbox, 3000Euros.
I had no previous problems with the box, it happened very quickly. Am I being ripped off or is this possible. Being an OAP I dont want to waste what little Blair gives me!!

Unfortunately very few Service Technicians (mechanics?) have the necessary skills these days to repair a gearbox, only used to fitting large 'lumps' of new assemblies. Acquiring the 5th gear hub assembly and associated 'bits & pieces' like needle rollers and bearings from MB would likely pose another problem.

As already suggested, a box from a breaker is probably your easiest and cheapest route to go (provided your local garage doesn't charge MB labour rates), and keep your fingers crossed that it is sound! When the gearbox is out, it is also good practice to replace the clutch as a matter of course.

Good luck.

 

[GrahamC230K]

You are in the same position as me, my 3rd pops out of gear.

1. MB manuals are not popular. Hence no reconditioned boxes off the shelf.

2. Just finding a plain used one is difficult.

3. MB and General Gearbox specialists not used to MB manuals

4. Parts internal to the MB manulas ARE expensive.


Used boxes are about £400 and from MB was quoted £1100+vat for an exhange unit parts only.

I am expecting a repair bill between that of the cost of a used box and a new one. Plus dropping the box on a used car on the original clutch you may as well replace it. ££££

The FIRST thing you must do is get confrimation that the fault is IN the gearbox, otherwise you only looking at a relativley cheap repair.