Checkin only for owner who has the tranny busted

[J Irwan]

I am hoping with starting this thread I can get some count as how many people has their transmission went south on them.
In my opinion this ridiculous to be such common occurence that happen on such car like MB regardless AMG or non-AMG in which indicate there might be some design/engineering flaw in term of durability.



I'll start my self.

model : 1997 C36
mileage at the time tranny show some sign: 83,772 (at the time I experience the flaring that just got worse)
driveable at the time: yes but the flaring got worse.
solution : new tranny at 83,904
coverage: aftermarket warranty.



PLEASE only reply if you have the issue


Regardz,

[1SIKBNZ]

model : 1999 C280
mileage at the time tranny show some sign: 65,000 (APPROX)
driveable at the time: yes, but problems began to increase
solution : new tranny at 66,000 (approx)
coverage: Mercedes payed half, car was out of warranty)

[Eiknujrac]

model : 1998 C280
mileage at the time tranny show some sign: 90,000 (approx.)
driveable at the time: yes, so far so good
solution : haven't fixed yet
coverage: unknown

1sikbenz: did you just whine to MB till they gave in and payed for half?

[jnenad16]

Originally posted by J Irwan
PLEASE only reply if you have the issue

[nokia8860]

model : 1997 C280
mileage at the time tranny show some sign: 75000 No warning car suddenly went into limp mode from a starting from a stop and would not shift out of 1st. CE light on.
driveable at the time: Drivable only on 1st gear
solution : new tranny at 75000
coverage: my bank account.

[DEF-C]

Originally posted by J Irwan
PLEASE only reply if you have the issue

[Eiknujrac]

Originally posted by J Irwan
PLEASE only reply if you have the issue

[Dr.Drew]

model : 1997 C280 Sport
mileage at the time tranny show some sign: 90000 KM
driveable at the time: right blown no drive ability
solution : New transmission upgraded 5 speed model different blueprint then old blown 5 speed
coverage: aftermarket warranty. + 800 cash

I wrote letters to mbusa, head office in germany and mbcanada, no help they basically told me to f'off

[Sulaco]

Car: 1994 C280
Appx mileage of first signs: 35k
Drive-able at time: For about 6 months major slippage in first gear (as if I were riding the clutch alot). Then, total failure.
Solution: rebuilt tranny
cost: $1,384 cash money.

Keep in mind, I bought this car in 1999 with 14k miles. It had been sitting in some big company's private garage from 95 till I bought it. Never cranked, never washed, never anything. My assumption was aging of the dry cluthces plus a good 20k miles of a fresh, 16yr-old driver who liked to show off the mean burnouts his mini-benz could do. After rebuild I drove it as mean and irresponsible as ever, but I've had NO more problems since the rebuild. Never had it flushed, either :(

[yusuke280]

model ::
1995 C220

mileage::
(at the time tranny show some sign) was aronud 29000 KM. Its now 31500 KM.
(Yes, its a 10 year old car with ONLY 30000 KM on it.)

driveable at the time::
its automatic, but there are some transmission problems.
(extremely minor though) If you warm up the car (Run for around 5 minutes) this won't happen. But at start, the car will "choke" a little but from first to second gear.
The other problem is that the car will not change gear from 3rd to 4th unless it goes up to 5000 rpm. (That's wierd isnt it? I'm not flooring it, it used to change ni around 3000 rpm.)

solution::
its nothing really major. my car is currently at maintainance, let's see what's the problem in a few days.

coverage::
not known yet, the maintainence cost is $1100 HKD.

[c55m8o]

It never completely went, but was rebuilt 4 times under warranty. It all started @ about 15K miles when my clutch paks were so loose I could sit stopped @ a light with my foot off the brakes, and the car would not move. What I'm left with at the present time is I get a double (sometimes tripple) shift from 1 - 2 mostly when cold, and it shifts too slow under hard throttle, and too fast/hard under soft throttle. As it's no longer under warranty I'm not touching it. I hope it goes so I can buy a new, later model tranni replacement.

[aruba]

1994 c220
the car took some time to change from 2 to 3 and did not reverse right away
solution bought a new transmision

[davis449]

Year: 1995
Model: C 280

I can't give any specifics of the symptoms or how it started because I didn't own the car when it happened. The people who owned it before me had all the records for the car and going through them I found out the entire tranny was replaced at 30K miles. I wish I could read the specifics, but the car was sold and I no longer have them.

[Sulaco]

Originally posted by aruba
1994 c220
the car took some time to change from 2 to 3 and did not reverse right away
solution bought a new transmision

Mine did that before the rebuild and has always done it after the rebuild. Unless this hesitation between 3rd and 4th was more than 1/4 second it does not bother me. It's ALWAYS taken a second to go into reverse. Always. The old 300e did it, and the new C240 does it (but not quite as much delay).

I'm struggling to figure out if all three of those transmissions are ruined/behaving badly. Or, perhaps they're behaving completely normal (even though I've been abusing this one for 4-5 years now without problem).

One of which means you wasted money. The other means my family has incredibly bad luck (or Mercedes makes a terrible car).

[mis-u-jerr]

Hey, looks like I picked the right time to check in after 1.5+yrs

No catastrophic loss, always drivable.
This is a somewhat different problem than the "usual" failure, but will report it anyway.

Clunky 1-2 shift, would hit rev limiter under full throttle, then back down, then shift.

If you want real specifics, I will have to go look it up but from memory:
32K sun gear
~40K most everything... freewheel falling apart, clutch packs replaced, he said basically everything but the center shaft.
But after it was "fixed", it developed an extra whine when it hit 4K+.
Is it fixed now? I dunno, I don't want to beat on it now for fear of it breaking... :mad: :(

[Alps]

model : 1997 C36
mileage at the time tranny show some sign: abt 61K tranny died without warning!
driveable at the time: no - had to be recovered back home on tow truck.
solution : new tranny
coverage: my own money !!!

[coolcarlskic43]

Originally posted by J Irwan
PLEASE only reply if you have the issue

[mis-u-jerr]

Originally posted by J Irwan
PLEASE only reply if you have the issue

[coolcarlskic43]

Originally posted by J Irwan
PLEASE only reply if you have the issue

[J Irwan]

Please reply only if you have the transmission busted.


PS: Jeff tracks his car regularly..... so 5K might explain that.



Regardz,

[knvs]

model : 1998 C55
mileage at the time tranny show some sign: 83k without any warnings.
driveable at the time: yes, but tranny fluid was leaking and I had it towed back
solution : Still in shop being looked at...
coverage: don't konw yet..... :(

How much does it cost to replace tranny or to rebuild it.

[mis-u-jerr]

Originally posted by knvs
How much does it cost to replace tranny or to rebuild it.
I didn't pay, but I think it is in the $5-6K range...
:mad:

Think it had anything to do with the 55 engine?

[NCC43]

Looks like I just joined the club (the busted tranny club, that is)

1998 C43 AMG
Problem began at 55k miles, but it sounds a little different than the others I've seen here - sounds like a can of rocks in Park or Neutral; persists in 1st thru 3rd gears, but goes away in 4th and 5th. Its still driveable, but I can feel it in in the shifter handle.

It happened when I pulled out of a parking lot and stomped the gas - no previous warning. I don't manually shift (okay, not much anyway), and simply let the tranny shift on its own...heard too much about this problem!

It's in the airport parking deck now - I am going to try to baby it to the indy mechanic when I get back. We shall see - I already know that a reman tranny is going to run about $2700 plus labor. I have an aftermarket warranty. I want a manual tranny!

UPDATE: Okay - so now it isn't driveable...acts as if it's trying to go into Park as I come to a stop. Next It locks up, and can only be moved by putting it into neutral - of course, then it pops back out and has to be put back in D. This sucks...its at the mechanic now.

[knvs]

Originally posted by mis-u-jerr
I didn't pay, but I think it is in the $5-6K range...
:mad:

Think it had anything to do with the 55 engine? I doubt it. The C43 and the E55 uses the same tranny. I found a E55 tranny for much less. I may end up going with that.

[kameraguy]

model : 1997 C36

mileage at the time tranny show some sign: ~90,000

symptom: slipping transmission when cold, rough shifts when warm, rough idle, engine revs would have a "surging" pattern between 500 to 1000 back to 500rpm when slowly idling forward at about 1mph

problem: failed clutch pack

solution : replaced clutch pack.

coverage: aftermarket warranty (thank GOD, the best $2500 i've ever spent)


current status: @ 133,500 miles now, transmission is acting up again, but this time due to transmission leak most-likely due to poor transmission reassembly from this original repair. I need to keep an eye on transmission fluid level and top off every 4 months or so :rolleyes:

My next car will be Japanese! hehehe, J/k...


not :(

[knvs]

shop called... gonna cost me $15k to have everything they found wrong with my car fixed.... Worst part is, my warranty expired in May, and the car felt fine before this problem.

So its:
$6k for tranny
$2k for oilpan and timing cover oil leak
$1.4 reseal my diff (which was leaking)
$2k for flex disc
and some other things which I for got now.....

stupid repairs is costing me as much as the car. I shoulda just bought one back in 1998 brand new. Thats how much I'll end up spending to repair it.

BTW I'm not having the dealership do it. I have an E55 tranny lined up and gonna cost much less.

[mis-u-jerr]

Well that FN blows :mad:

I think I would drive it off a cliff at that point and go buy a Suby...
:(

Oh, yours is the C55... Maybe not...

Mine is probably only worth $15 at this point so I am just gonna drive it till it drops... Which I am sure won't be anywhere near the 18 years my Legend is at now... (and 160K)

>$2k for oilpan and timing cover oil leak

Oh shi... Mine is leaking about a quarter sized spot every day...

[NCC43]

I'm feeling like I got off light...to replace my tranny with a reman with a 30 month warranty is costing $3900 total. This is my indie mechanic - the MBZ dealer was about a grand more. He says that the '98 trans used bushings which were changed to bearings in '99 - ever heard that one?

Anyhow, I had the extended warranty too - talk about a bunch of jerks! It only cost me $1100 to cover 48 mo./48k miles - and it is covering 10 days of rental car @ $30 a day. They tried every trick in the book to get out of paying - even checked my TIRE SIZES to make sure I didn't ruin the tranny with oversize tires. Now that's a stretch!!!

Sorry about the BIG repair bill - I couldn't have paid that if it happened to me...guess I would have had to buy a Kia or something...

[c55m8o]

OH, SHEEYAAT. I know I'm only supposed to reply if the tranni is busted and tell my story ... well mine was (above), so maybe I'll get some slack ... but I gotta say, those prices! That's frigg'n ridiculous!

It cost me about $2K to swap the motor! I paid a bit more because I had the heads redone, bottom end opend up, and cooling system flushed to get out the foam from putting out the fire too. Valve covers and oilpan seals and all.

Uze Gize gotta find a good MB mechanic that likes to do side work like the guy Carl hooked me up with.

[knvs]

yeah unfortunately I don't know any good mb techs.... and I just moved up to sac so I'm even more screwed if my car breaks again. I'm having Norm replace my tranny with a 1999 E55 tranny. Tranny only has 10k on it and he's only chargine $2500 installed. The thing I'm worried about it that I may need a tranny controller or module thing and torque converter and he's not sure if they have it. So I'm hoping that I won't have to fork out more. They are also taking care of the oil leak because thats from their engine, and they'll do the coolant leak too. While I like Norm, he's not really a repair shop and can't really rely on him for repairs.

So hopefully this little problem of mine is only gonna cost $2500, which I can live with. Next thing to do will be the flex discs and diff reseal and should be all good.

[frankthetank_86]

I think my tranny is gone, I went out today and reverse did not want to engage!!!!!!!!!!

[heman]

c220 diesel

the gearbox has gone on me now as it only goes into 1st 2nd and 4th and kicks out of second if not held in and out of third even if u try to hold it in and the 5th gear i have not tried recently, this has happened is still driveable locally but now has just started to decline the input of gears into any gear, so its sitting there ready for a gearbox change, planned to be done in 2 weeks after new year at a cost of £500 + VAT

besides that everything in this car is almost mashed as i think i have tried to rally drive this car liike an evo, maybe wat it wasnt made for oh well

there u go

H3MAN

[Sulaco]

Originally posted by knvs

$2k for flex disc


That's pure insanity. I understand the 2 of us have totally different 202's but a flex-disc job should be damn near exactly the same job on mine as it is on your's. I had my driveshaft center-support bearing go out on me at about 90mph once. Was stranded and the only place that it could be towed to was the dealership. They replaced that bearing and both flex discs (just to be safe) for $800.

[davis449]

Just thought I would add that my Transmission Control Unit is being replaced on my 99 280 Sport as we speak. It was shifting really hard along with the occasional "scare the shit out of me" kickdown into 1st.

[heman]

you wouldnt believe what the mechanics replaced it and the clutch and after a week it mashed up again so they had to replace again under warranty, ive kind of had enough of these cars man......i wonder what the S-CLASS is like lol

dont buy an old c man it just digs into your pocket they look nice and drive nice but when you try to race them around like the new age cars they just dont keep up-thats like for like e.g. 2.2 to 2.2 engine

H3MAN

[davis449]

symptom: slipping transmission when cold, rough shifts when warm, rough idle, engine revs would have a "surging" pattern between 500 to 1000 back to 500rpm when slowly idling forward at about 1mph

UPDATE: Car is at the dealer with the same symptoms as listed in the above quote except for the surging issue at idle. However, I was in the parking lot today and I firmly pushed the brake pedal to slow the car from around 5-7 mph to let one of my coworkers by and the car would not move when I let off the brake. I pushed the gas and it went haywire like it couldn't decided what gear to downshift too. It jerked down a gear (I think, I was tooscared to really look at the tach) and then down into 1st. Stupid thing shot up to about 3200 RPM's and I had to brake the car hard to get it to stop. Drove it directly to the dealer and dropped it off.

MILEAGE: First sign around 68K (tranny control unit replaced) Currently at 70300K
DRIVEABLE: yes
COST: Whatever they find wrong with it will be covered by warranty

UPDATE: New valve in tranny and it was covered under warranty, we'll see how long this lasts...

UPDATE2: Have to take it back in tomorrow to have it looked at again for the same issue.

[CMSw202]

1700 for a rebuilt tranny.......DAMNIT!


problem....it can't shift out of 1st gear....

solution: bought 2005 c230 sport.

[RacerXofFL]

96 c280

tranny slipped when I bought it at 80K lost 3rd gear very soon after.

rebuilt it, failed again within 6 months.

rebuilt it, lost 3nd gear within a week, drove it for over a year until I lost 4th. (top speed attainable 65mph car is named netural glide while I source 5speed swap)

First and only known 717.430 5speed swap.

19 months later stock clutch failed due to rear main leak. Put in custom 4puck setup.

6mo later while doing a 3.2 conversion, 4puck was toast, new rear main leaking too!!! WTF

now shes a 3.2 w/717.430 and back to stock organic clutch, but guess what new motor/NEW REAR MAIN is leaking too... must need flywheel balanced. thats where I am today.

[c280nz]

get a lighter flywheel made racerx.
thats what im looking at doing very soon, and dont get to carried away with heavy duty clutchs they just break the next weekest link in the system, usually the g/box

[RacerXofFL]

fidanza makes one for my car... 800$ mabby next year, I dont make enough to pay that now... Thats almost as much as I got my 3.2L for...

[c280nz]

hmm expensive...
do u know how heavy a standard flywheel is and how much lighter the fidanza one is?
p.s. do u ride mx?

[RacerXofFL]

stock is over 40lbs I think, and aftermarket is liek 18... but I like the heavy flywheel... My car stalls like 27 sconds after start, ppl claim its the overload protection realy.

I rode bmx for 10 yrs, was powerlight, and brand X sponsored. When praticin I rode w/a X for a number plate, and started using the name RacerX from the descent cheat code, and that it was speeds brother. I really like the name, I know Im not the first to use it but I have been since 1995-96...when I was about 15 years old.

[kyo216]

started having tranny problems pretty recently around 93,000 miles. ive only put 8000 miles on the car. im experiencing the same problem as davis449. sometimes when im at a light, i let my foot off the brake and it doesnt move. it feels like im still in a higher gear so i have to floor it to move to driving speeds and when i floor it moves very very slowly. i usually pull over and restart the engine. problem usually fixes after that.

havent gotten it looked at yet. i drive a 97 c280.


update. well finally got it checked and i might need a new tranny. my mechanic said he can try swaping the electric wiring and oil in the transmission and see if it fixes the problem. if not then i will probably have to get a new transmission.

update. well today i got my car back. paid $670 to replace the electric kit in the tranny. transmission works fine now. whew.

[mrfeelgood]

mine's a 1994 C200, had it for only about a week & the mileage was 172,000km (bout 78,000miles) when i took it...

the tranny (its an automatic) had problems when i was driving the car to the painters last saturday...it suddenly wont engaged when put into "D"... had to wait after a while (more like after it had to cool down) before it went "normal: again... will be towing the car to the garage once painting is completed...

i heard that its a common problem for the W202 model..gearbox problems....

[ryhi]

alright guys... time for me to join the bad tranny club. my car will drive in 1st-3rd and once 4th hits, it will just rev. if i accellerate fairly slow, SOMETIMES itll get into 4th, but will get stuck there even when i come to a complete stop. (my car will be revving high and will be going very slow) i have yet took it to a MB tech to check it out. if my transmission needs to be replaced would you guys recommend rebuilding mine or buying a rebuilt one? i will be iffy about keeping the car after i fix it because i dont want the same thing to happen again.

model : 1999 C230 Kompressor
mileage at the time tranny show some sign: 125,000
driveable at the time: yes, drives fine in 1st-3rd
solution : dont know yet..
coverage: my bank account

[Len013091]

Model :1999 C230 Kompressor
Mileage at the time of issue: 61000
Drivable: Yes, for now
Solution: Yet to be decided
Coverage: Me

My problem is a bit odd, I can't seem to find anyone else with this issue here. I was driving along at about 5mph, and then floored it. I had the selector in D, but, when the car got to the top of first gear, the transmission didn't shift until it bumped the fuel cut(or ignition cut) and then shifted. Also, when the car did shift gears, I got a nice tire chirp. Has anyone else had this issue. Now it seems like the transmission is starting to slip every now and then.

[C280_Spawrt]

When I first got my car, it was constantly slipping. Once it slipped so bad the gear selector was on "D" and while I was driving like 35 mph it cut right out to neutral and i had ZERO throttle, just free revving whilst traffic was honking me from behind, they thought i was trying to show or something? Changed tranny fluid and that fixed the problem. Now, my gear selector lever feels like it is like getting loose or something, it doesn't feel as solid and i am afraid that it will move up and down the lever by itself while i am driving!! lol

[YYZ]

'97 C230

Problem appeared suddenly at about 45,000km

Trans went into limp-home mode - started by not upshifting to 5th (was on highway)

When I came to a stop at the offramp, it went into 1st gear only as a limp-home mode.

Switching to 'W' mode put it into second, though the car was still revving like a mofo.

Problem: Blown transmission module (electronics)

Coverage: Warranty

Car now has 208,000km on the original trans with no issues - flushed/filled/serviced at about 180,000km

[c280nz]

1994 c280
fitted with manual transmission
rebuilt with new bearings and seal at 170,000km
i beleive it has been rebuilt before as 3rd gear has been replaced
also new clutch at 160,000km

[V1Dreamer]

2000 c230k
bought with 52k miles on it.
i currently work as a MB tech at an independant shop. so i decided to scan my car with D.A.S. just for kicks. the transmission control module had stored codes for tranny fluid temp sensor, and park neutral safety switch sporadically faulty. these codes are the warning signs of a conductor plate going bad in the electronic shift trannys. (equiped in i believe 96+ MB's) since replacing the conductor plate. ive had no signs of anything and im coming up on 85k.

MB also claimed that their transmissions would go for 100k without a fluid flush. but often times like all of you. cars would come in with sporadic shifting, hard shifting, no-shifting.. etc... with less than 60k. and uppon pulling the oil pan and taking a look at the fluid, there would be metal flakes and band material.. well bottom line is, MB does not claim the 100k tranny anymore. and most shops now are recomending a tranny flush at no more than 60k.

[Fizzle]

model : 1998 C280
mileage : Just Before 80,000 Which Was Like A week Ago, But Is Still Drivable.
solution : None Yet
coverage: None

I still Drives Fine But I Cannot Physically Select The 4th Gear. ( 4<>D ). Its Like Something Is Blocking It. I Cannot Select Anything Other Than P R N and D. 1 2 3 and 4 Can't Be Reached. Any Help. Or Someone Have The same Problem.

[Cru328prod]

Model :1999 C230 Kompressor
Mileage at the time of issue: 70,000


I would drive and when i floor it, it won't move as fast, and then it just jumps in rpms, which is pretty cool. Also have the same problem len does

[Len013091]

Model :1999 C230 Kompressor
Mileage at the time of issue: 67500
Drivable: Yes, for now
Solution: To the Dealership!
Coverage: Me

Transmission hung in first, went to neutral, then back into drive at 40mph, still in first, tires chirped, car went into limp home mode. I'm sure its the electrical controller acting up again, so, no big deal.

[Cru328prod]

I HATE LIMP MODE!!!!!!!!

[4.5_sport]

model : 1999 C43
mileage at the time tranny show some sign: 90,132
driveable at the time: yes but terrible grinding noise
solution : new tranny at 90,132
coverage: $3300 from my bank account

[griplimited]

model : 1999 C230 Kompressor
mileage at the time tranny show some sign: 112,000
driveable at the time: yes but had trouble with periodic limp mode.
solution : valve body replacement
coverage: $950 from my bank account.

The car would go into periodic LIMP mode which I didnt know what it was at the time, assumed it was related to a dead battery for over 2 months as that was when the symptoms occurred after replacement. Diagnostic code showed P0715 for Speed Sensor. Since they dont sell it separately, you'll need the valve body. 675 for parts and 275 for labor.. not bad at all. Was quoted for 2,550 from two other MBZ/BMW only places. The place I ended up going to did a variety of cars, but when I told the mechanic the code from Diagnostic, he went to the storage room and pulled out the upper half of a mbz tranny and pointed where the problems were and what would need replacement.

[bnut43]

model : 1999 C43
mileage at the time tranny show some sign: NOT SURE
driveable NOT SURE.
solution : NEW TRANNY

Sorry for the lack of info guys. I purchased the car at around 110,000 miles and it had already had the transmission replaced by the previous owner who is a Benz tech. Didn't get all the details at the time of purchase. Just wanted to add to the list and again sorry for the lack of information.

[C Sport 6]

model: 1996 C280 Sport

Mileage at time transmission went out: ~172K miles.

Driveable: No

Coverage: Out of pocket

After about 172K miles the transmission started to slip. Then one morning the car would not shift into drive. Had the car towed and had a new transmission installed by my independent.
Considering that the car was driven up and down countless steep hills in S.F. for almost 2 years it was no surprise that it finally gave.

Car currently has 222K miles, have had zero transmission problems since the replacement.

[Nelson Lago]

Model: 1999 C280

Mileage when tranny went: 108,000miles

Drivable:nope in drive and couldn't move

Coverage: 1,200 dollers and a used tranny with 50,000miles on it

I was in school levaing for brake and i just put it in drive adn hit the gas and i herd a lot of clunking so I stoped and try to move agine and the car went no where

[mis-u-jerr]

Can I vote twice?? :mad:
Just started acting up again today...
Getting on the fwy today it wouldn't shift out of first. Turned the car off/on, seemed OK for a bit then seemed to be stuck in fourth. Let it sit for about eight hours, then drove it around the block. It was shifting, but also searching for gears, etc. Not good... Reitmeir's said they would check the level for me tomorrow. I can't believe there is no FN dipstick on this.

Oh hi everyone, how ya doing these days??

[mis-u-jerr]

Model :1999 C43
Mileage at the time of issue: 98,186
Drivable: Yes
Problem: Washer on the output shaft broke, spread pieces everywhere.
Solution: Rebuild transmission
Coverage: My wallet ($3566, guess I got off easy :mad: )

New sun gear at 32K warranty
New freewheel + many other parts at 40K (warranty)
rebuild transmission 98K
Not happy

See this thread for more deets:
More C43 transmission trouble (http://www.club202.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14733)

[odj]

Well, it *finally* happened. I've been waiting for this since I bought the car. I've put less than 20k on the clock since I purchased it.

Model :1999 C43
Mileage at the time of issue: 94,xxx
Drivable: Yes
Problem: Not 100% sure yet, but the prognosis is fubar'd planetary gears. It sounds like there are rocks in my trans, quite literally.
Solution: Rebuilt Trans & Torque Converter
Coverage: $5000 of wallety goodness.

Trans & Torque converter came with a 3 year, 36000 mile warranty.

[detroit202]

98 c230

miles just shy of 200,000 (145,000 i put on myself.)

towed it into the shop last night

price stay tuned.. i feel like i got my money worth out of it.

[CheungKinMen]

Model : 1995 c36
Mileage at the time of issue: Somewhere between 115.000 and 115.500. My father was driving it at the moment.
Drivable: Yes, only forward. No reverse.
Solution: Rebuild transmission
Coverage: Around $1200. Not repaired in dealership, got some friends. :P

[Cru328prod]

i'm on my 3rd transmission........abused...metal chunks in pan...
downshifting in a auto eats that shit alive man......

[eug]

model : 1997 C280
mileage : about 105,500km (65,938 mi)
driveable at the time: limp mode - only had 2nd gear
solution : Transmission control plate replaced
coverage: dealer statutory warranty


Lucky for me I still had my Mitsu Lancer on hand, which was still going strong at 354,000km (221,250 mi) on the original engine and gearbox!

[mike mac]

Originally posted by Fizzle
model : 1998 C280
mileage : Just Before 80,000 Which Was Like A week Ago, But Is Still Drivable.
solution : None Yet
coverage: None

I still Drives Fine But I Cannot Physically Select The 4th Gear. ( 4<>D ). Its Like Something Is Blocking It. I Cannot Select Anything Other Than P R N and D. 1 2 3 and 4 Can't Be Reached. Any Help. Or Someone Have The same Problem.

i just fixed this problem.
its in your shifter box.
1)
get under the car and get the shifter link off of the shifter.

2) take your middle console out, there 2 screws under the cig lighter compartment, 2 screws holding the console to the shifter and in the console 2 black screws holding it to the floor.

3) pull the console out

4) remove the shifter Knob, then theres 4 hex bolts holding the shifter in place, remove them ( you will be able to unscrew them with the console in place, but you cant remove the shifter with out removing the console)

5) detach the wires

6)remove the top cover.
7) remove the 2 bold on the side, they are size 8
8) remove the 2 torx bolts on the under side of it.

9) carefully take apart the shifter( theres a few clips holding it together)

take a a long look at it or take a picture of it to remember how the inside is set up. inspect it to see if anything is broken.

10) take all of it apart, degrease it all, reapply grease on the main plate and every moving part

the main problem here is the linkage tot he transmission in the shift is out in the weather and it isnt lubricated and most likely have some rust on it.
this is your main source of the shift from 4>5 or 5>4.
So grease that too!!

11) now put it back together, this part may be the biggest pain, be patient, maybe slightly tap the slider bolt in place. CAReFULLY shift it like you would in the car. so you wont pop it out of place, running through all the gears once or twice, you will notice its like new!

12) reverse steps 9-1

good luck!!

[Zak62592]

model : 1995 c280
mileage at the time tranny show some sign: Maybe around 140k
driveable at the time: first gear slips alot at takeoff, of when downshifting
solution : drive it till it breaks. Still going at 165k
coverage: none

[W202FTW]

Looks like I have to add my C230 to this list =(

1999 C230 Kompressor
Mileage: 131,000k
Drivable: No. 1st gear and 2nd gear are making some serious "grinding" noises
Solution: I'll know the shop tells me
Coverage: None

[W202FTW]

Nuts. Mechanic says transmission needs a rebuild and quoted $3,500 for the job. Weak.

[hvmercy]

Ouch!

My 1997 C230 has 132k miles and running strong as ever. Transmission maintenance is key to getting to not go kaput. I've had my transmission serviced at 65k miles and 125k miles.


Looks like I have to add my C230 to this list =(

1999 C230 Kompressor
Mileage: 131,000k
Drivable: No. 1st gear and 2nd gear are making some serious "grinding" noises
Solution: I'll know the shop tells me
Coverage: None

[Yujin]

Ouch!

My 1997 C230 has 132k miles and running strong as ever. Transmission maintenance is key to getting kaput. I've had my transmission serviced at 65k miles and 125k miles.

How do you get your tranny serviced? Do you take it to a stealership? Or some 3rd party auto repair shop?

[hvmercy]

Indie, someone i've taken my MBZ for quite since I bought my C230 14 years ago.

How do you get your tranny serviced? Do you take it to a stealership? Or some 3rd party auto repair shop?

[mykg4orce]

like to add my trans to the list. Started to slip at about 250,000 KM Finally gave out at 309,000KM. Looking for a used transmission :(

[W202FTW]

Yay an update!

Took out the old transmission. Problem was that transmission fluid was almost bone dry and whatever was left was completely blacked out, no warning codes. Installed a new 722 in the backyard with a 2-Ton floor jack (took several weekends).

Getting the transmission out of the W202 is incredibly difficult, only because everything is jammed together (typical German engineering). It was almost impossible to get the nuts out on the top side of the bell housing and there's little to no space to jam a combo wrench down or a breaker bar down there (firewall placement complicates this). The entire exhaust (minus the exhaust manifold) had to come out. Did not have to remove 02 sensors due to adequate slack on the wiring (enough to rest the entire exhaust on the floor).

[Vendetta]

model : 1996 C220
mileage at the time tranny had problem ; 120,000km
driveable at the time: Couldn't go into reverse. I could only drive forward.
solution : Reconditioned tranny
coverage: None. USD 1000 including labour

[benz4life]

model : 1997 C230
mileage at the time tranny had problem ; 233500 miles. Transmission was never serviced before as far as I know.
drive-able at the time: Yes, but only in the 1st gear, and Reverse. P719 and P720 if i remember correct
solution : Replaced transmission conductor plate (w/ speed sensor) , new oil, filter kit, and one spring, I have all the parts no. somewhere.
coverage: None. USD 500 including labor. I ordered the parts myself online.