I'm sorry to say, reverse is often the first to go in a transmission that needs a rebuild.

 

The reverse clutches wear. Today, people like to change from drive to reverse and vice versa with the car moving. Changing direction this way puts strain on and helps wear the clutches. Once the clutches wear, the process of compressing worn clutches causes further damage.

So if a W124 has slipping reverse clutches, do not drive it that way for long. At a minimum the transmission needs to come out, the reverse clutches replaced and the rear main seal on the engine replaced a the same time. There are those who would rebuild the whole transmission for this problem and that is their choice. In reality, it only needs a reverse clutch pack rebuild.

I wish I could direct you to a shop in Raleigh but I have no experience in that area of the country. A German car indy shop with employees who worked at a dealership is usually well equipped to do this job.

 

The reverse clutches wear. Today, people like to change from drive to reverse and vice versa with the car moving. Changing direction this way puts strain on and helps wear the clutches. Once the clutches wear, the process of compressing worn clutches causes further damage.

So if a W124 has slipping reverse clutches, do not drive it that way for long. At a minimum the transmission needs to come out, the reverse clutches replaced and the rear main seal on the engine replaced a the same time. There are those who would rebuild the whole transmission for this problem and that is their choice. In reality, it only needs a reverse clutch pack rebuild.

I wish I could direct you to a shop in Raleigh but I have no experience in that area of the country. A German car indy shop with employees who worked at a dealership is usually well equipped to do this job.

Given the R&R costs and the fact that this is a cabriolet, I think a little more money spent on a fully rebuilt Sun Valley transmission is well worth it.

 

Do a search here:

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Sun Valley in CA, is the goto shop for these tranny rebuilds.

 

most service shops farm out transmission work to specialists, the shop will just swap your tranny with a rebuilt, not try and repair it themselves. Last time I priced it, admittedly a half dozen years ago, it was around $1800 after core refund for a rebuilt transmission from the likes of Sun Valley (highly recommended), and a local shop would charge about $1000 to swap it.

 

Have you looked at "The Foreign Service" in Raleigh, NC or CW Performance in Apex, NC.? They are Mercedes Benz Specialists.

 

Hello fellow Benzies! I hope to find guidance/advise concerning who in the Louisburg, Youngsville, Raleigh, NC area can replace or rebuild my transmission. Does "no reverse" mean that a replacement or rebuild is the remedy? Could their be another reason for loosing "reverse" although the other gears work?

I am driving without reverse, parking on inclines in parking lots or in a double front/back drive out space. My car has to be inspected by the end of July and I must have it repaired and as economically as possible. Would like recommendation of a trustworthy transmission shop near N. Raleigh to Louisburg.

Thank you!

J.B.

D&E Automotive is the premier MB indy shop in Raleigh in my opinion. 919.872.7771

 

To all who responded to my request re: a reliable transmission shop. Thank you one and all for your replies. I am most appreciative and I hope that this entry will be seen by each person who posted a reply via email or the discussion.

chriskbush: I agree with you on D & E. That is why I have been Tim and Reggie's customer for over 3 yrs now! They are the very reason that I am searching for a foreign car transmission shop because Tim no longer repairs transmissions; neither do they repair brake lines. I can totally understand it. D&E sent me to Ted's, in Raleigh, but he said a rebuild would be about $3000.00, so I am shopping around.

ap41563: Thank you. I already plan to call Dave at The Foreign Service for consultation. I think they send transmission repair out for their restoration work but I will find out tomorrow Another reputable shop in Durham (31 miles away) is Accurate Transmission. He quoted me $2-3K.

Benzers and Benzies (smile) Again, I thank you all for taking the time to respond to my need. This is my dilemma y'all!
Considering that the transmission is not the only repair needed, such as a window regulator, top hydraulic cylinders, (another major exp.) struts, motor mount, etc., I am thinking that perhaps it would be prudent to spend $3,000 on a new used car. I really like and enjoy my MB Cabby which I have owned for 11 years. I have been holding on to it because it drives nicely and I have personal sentiment for it. I realize that sometimes you have to let go. In addition to my delight in Cabby, I as a retiree on a limited income, I really, really would not like to have a car payment at this point in my life. But if it is inevitable, what do you think of the Lexus SC430 if I could find one with low mileage and, of course, the color that I would like. I have my hands over my eyes and ears but I hope that someone will have positive things to say. Would the Lex SC430 cost me less in maintenance? Thank you all!!

 

At the risk of being banned forever from the forum, I will tell you that I’ve had 3 Lexi and 3 Mercedes over the last 30 years, and I still have a 2008 Lexus ES350 and a 2006 MB E350, both purchased new, and there is no question the Lexus is and always has been less expensive to maintain. Note that does NOT mean I prefer the Lexus, but I will tell you that except for regularly scheduled maintenance (fluids, batteries and tires), I haven’t spent a dime on a failure of anything on the Lexus. I wish I could say that about the Mercedes. I was a victim of the notorious balance shaft issue which both Mercedes and the dealer (from whom I had purchased 3 MBs) did nothing to address which ultimately cost 5K$ out of pocket on a vehicle with 70K miles. So as much as I love the Marque and prefer the RWD Mercedes, experiences like that are not easily forgotten.

 

How many miles did you have on it before the transmission ... bit the dust?

 

 

Good morning,

At present, there is a little over 209,000 and the "reverse" stopped working a couple of months ago 208,000, close to 209,00. The tranny isn't totally dead. Only reverse! I still drive it but have to be watchful of new areas I might have to drive to. My regular errands are in parking lots of which I am familiar so I already know what the layout is with double spaces and/or inclines so that I can drive out of the space or put in neutral and roll back out of space.

Your midnight blue must be beautiful.

Jerri

 

The rust is another twist to your w124 WIP.

Respectfully, many members here have seen enough emotional purchases from new members on these older rides.
imho, these are not cheap upkeeps, so when surprises (such as this) come your way, it's either 'sink or $$wim'.
They can be IF you have good bones/records/ upkeep, and that can mean more initial outlay vs. the other end.

If you dont have the experience to DIY (along with proper tools)..... you know the drill.
Technical support/ advice here - plenty of it - good (no bars hold in many cases).

 

Thank you khomer2 and tuttebenne your advice is well received