jlm003

Yesterday I took my '04 C240 purchased new in Oct/2003 and which now has 22,340 miles for its 'yearly' checkup (had Service A & B in the prior years).

Among some very minor gripes like a stuck cup-holder and the likes, I mentioned that every once-in-a-while I would notice a "clunk" sound when accelerating slowly and the transmission would shift from 2nd to 3rd. Well low and behold about an hour later I got a call from the Service Adviser stating that they had found metal filings in the transmission oil pan and were in the process of beginning to change my transmission and torque converter.

Well I after I got my jaw back in place I could think of saying was "Thank you and how long will I be without a car". The answer was that it would be ready today... and it was. However, when I was able to think more clearly I was left with the nagging feeling about the problem and the fact that they had a transmission laying around to change.

Question: Any one else has experienced the problem I reported? Did it result in changing the transmission?

Another question: Would anyone know if the transmissions replaced by the dealer are new or rebuilt?????

Thanks for letting me bend your ear and Happy Holidays to all!!!!

arcwelder

hmmm. Sounds strange that they would have a tranny on hand. I had an 04 that I purchased in oct of 03 as well. Never had problems with transmision. Maybe you could ask to see the old one?!

bloodyhands

i dunno man but it does sounds fishy,well at-least you didnt pay, right? im a anti dealer maintenance unless its under warranty.last time i brought my car to the dealer they took out my e-brake without telling me when all i needed was to replace the rear sams in the trunk,hoping that ill bring them back some $$$ to fix it but i did it myself. dam them crooks.:

GDawgC220

Strange...most dealers need to order a new transmission and have it shipped to them. Odd that they had one in stock as they usually don't normally replace transmissions on a daily basis. But if you didn't pay for it, be happy that you got a replacement...hopefully

ML55CLA45

i know this is a different car... and the trans is probablly totally different.... but i had transmission probs on my 1979 300d... took it to my mb mechanic... not a dealer... and they were able to completely rebuilt my transmission in a day... dropped it off in the 8 in the morning... picked it up at 5....

so.... yeah.. your dealer may have had a new one laying around.. but i wouldnt think it would be totally impossible for them to remanufacture yours....

but i dont know... thats why im not a mechanic...

jlm003

My thanks to all for your replies...

No, I didn't have to pay for anything but I'm still a little bit apprehensive about the future with this "new' transmission. Anyway, I now think, no I'm convinced, that I made the right choice when I purchased the MB 3-year extended warranty. Back then I thought that I had paid a lot ($1,675.00) but now it sounds like a bargain considering that all total I still have 4 years of warranty.

... once again, Happy Holidays to all!!!

b3d_sage

Well, let's say the dealership takes in 50 cars a day to service. A large portion of these will be W203's since everyone and their dog has one. Now, consider that they are also a wholesale distributor for MB parts, I imagine that they go through more than one 5-speed tranny for a W203 in a month. I would expect them to have more than one on-hand in the parts warehouse.

mleskovar

"The transmission needs to be ordered" could be service speak for "we need to schedule your repair". Considering how many models and years use this transmission I don't find it unusual for them to have one in stock. Also, a tranmission R&R takes some time so scheduling it makes sense if you have a busy dealer with repairs backed up. I would be glad that such a job was done quickly. A new tranmission isn't a bad thing.

Canadian_Yeti

It's entirely possible to replace a trans at MB in 1 day.

a) they could have had one ordered in for another car not due into the dealership for a few days, so they just used it and ordered another.

b) possibly could stock one

c) depending how close the PDC is, they could have sent a driver over to pick it up

A couple hours and you can be ready to put the new one in...

NG C-Klasse

My dealer is also the main service center, they stock several transmissions for almost each car. Very few get ordered..only to replace one used.

jlm003

Again many thanks for your replies... As many of you stated, the sheer volume of service and the vast numbers of W203's would probably warrant having a couple of spares.

You wouldn't believe the size of the local MB dealer and the amount of C-Series cars on the road even considering that prices start at ~$41K (we're an island 100 by 35 miles with 3.8 million people and 2.5 million registered vehicles). Also the local dealer opens from 6:00AM to 11:00PM M-F, Saturdays 8:00AM - 5:00PM.