W124 Auto Transmission

[william thomson]

Had trouble recently with the gearbox on my 1995 E280 slipping. Local dealer diagnosed cooler pipes were leaking and replaced them and topped up gearbox fluid. However after collecting car slipping problem started again after about thirty miles of driving. Dealer now says gearbox needs to be replaced with factory recon. This will cost around £3300 fitted - probably more than the car is worth. Is there a cheaper alternative/repair?

 

[wingco]

I dont know what price you should really pay, maybe 1500 from a specialist (I was quoted 1300 for mine). But I do know that the dealer will rob you blind..........

 

[OlafMaxwell]

There is a long list of specialists listed in Mercedes Enthusiast. Even thugh I call some of them from Ireland they are all very helpful and will give you a straight answer. This would seem the best route, the price of £3,300 seems very expensive though. I would not have expected more than half of that figure.

 

[turnipsock]

£1,000-£1,500 is probably in the ball park.

I recently had mine done. The box rebuild itself was good but I had a number of other issues.

I would have removed the box myself if it wasn't the middle of winter and I had a garage. If you can do that, it's not going to cost a lot for the box rebuild.

There is a thread about my box somewhere.

http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=9827

here you go...sometimes I think I'm talking to myself.

 

[william thomson]

Many thanks for these comments. Seems a replacement box from MB is much more expensive than getting a a specialist to repair the original box. Will try to find a suitable specialist in Scotland to do the job.
WT

 

[william silver]

gearbox

Or you could get it trucked down to George Fraser in London, gearbox recondition for £1000, collect it next day and drive it back. GF 020 8795 1055

 

[tom7035]

Many thanks for these comments. Seems a replacement box from MB is much more expensive than getting a a specialist to repair the original box. Will try to find a suitable specialist in Scotland to do the job.
WT

I could recommend Automotive Automatics in Edinburgh. Mind you it was some years ago and I knew Jim Makin, the founder of the firm personally. The staff will undoubtedly have changed but no harm having a word. They used to be in Montgomery St., but now moved to 14 Gordon St. - 0131 554 5548.
At the time I used to place auto gearbox recons with them from Fife and had first-class service, diagnoses and above all reasonable costs.
Good luck.

 

[william thomson]

Many thanks for the suggestions about Gordon Fraser and Automotive Automatics. In fact by the time I read the latter suggestion had already contacted Gordon Fraser in London and arranged for the car to go there. Amazingly the AA are taking it down to London from Inverness free of charge and indeed within an hour of contacting them had picked the car up from the Inverness MB dealer. Out of curiosity did talk today to Automotive Automatics and Jim Makin is still in charge but was out at the time I called. Will remeber them next time!
WT

 

[Keith]

what is normal life expectancy for auto boxes then?

I was a bit shocked to hear that boxes routinely need replacing - I had naively thought they were one of the MB 'last for ever' mechanical miracles. so I am wondering what is the life expectancy of auto boxes on 90's W124s if kept properly serviced on schedule (filter and tranny oil etc) ?

anyone comment or share experience? when should I budget for my 170k 300D autobox needing replacing for example?

Keith

 

[gasara]

My 260E has 218k on the clock. Original gearbox and still as smooth as silk

 

[stephen.coker@virgin.net]

and mine has done about 210k, and still goes fine - even when towing a caravan with 3 children and 5 bikes on board. Has had regular fluid changes, which may help.

 

[turnipsock]

my 230TE box packed up at 170,000 miles, on the way home from getting an MOT. I eventually had it repaired and am now trying to sort a million other problems which makes me wish I had just junked it when I had the chance.

(actually it's going like a train now and I'm glad I kept it on the road)

Isn't it illegal to tow a caravan with children in it?

 

[300CE24Coupe]

I needed to replace the 5-speed auto box on my 1991 CE 24.
I ended up paying £950 for a second hand one as main dealer again was quoting £3500.

The problem I found was not the cost but sourcing the 5 speed box as they are very rare.