7 speed auto/4Matic issues - solution?
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Super Member
Joined: Oct 2012
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2026 GLC300 4Matic (X254)
7 speed auto/4Matic issues - solution?
So, by now everyone knows the 7 speed auto combo isn't the most robust when coupled with 4Matic. From what I've read on here....it's actually not the transmission, but the 4Matic components on C and GLK cars.
So, is the obvious solution for someone looking for a more reliable W204 to simply get a RWD version? Same 7 speed auto, but no wonky 4Matic parts.
Would you all agree?
So, is the obvious solution for someone looking for a more reliable W204 to simply get a RWD version? Same 7 speed auto, but no wonky 4Matic parts.
Would you all agree?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2012
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2026 GLC300 4Matic (X254)
Believe me, I would LOVE to be wrong. But I've read on this very site that the cars with 4MATIC and the 7 speed auto (C, GLK, and ML) are having more and more failures. Again, based on what I've read, they have to replace the transmission because it's "attached" to the 4MATIC differential and when the differential goes south, it's all replaced.
Are the threads on here incorrect? I've read recently that lots of German posts in other forums are talking about the failures as well. I could be mixing something up?
My angle here.....until very recently the car I wanted was a 2012 C300 (4MATIC standard but has the "old" engine). Now I'm researching more and finding the transmissions/drivetrains on these things are failing with some regularity. Thinking IF IT IS TRUE that if the common denominator is the 4MATIC, I would consider a cheaper and less troublesome C250.
But I want to confirm that it's the 4MATIC, and not the 7 speed auto.
Are the threads on here incorrect? I've read recently that lots of German posts in other forums are talking about the failures as well. I could be mixing something up?
My angle here.....until very recently the car I wanted was a 2012 C300 (4MATIC standard but has the "old" engine). Now I'm researching more and finding the transmissions/drivetrains on these things are failing with some regularity. Thinking IF IT IS TRUE that if the common denominator is the 4MATIC, I would consider a cheaper and less troublesome C250.
But I want to confirm that it's the 4MATIC, and not the 7 speed auto.
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From: 1 hours drive north of Sydney Australia
2007 W204 220CDI Classic Sedan
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2011 c300 4m
yes that was my thread, the more i look, the less I find, yea i do find threads on failures, but remember you really only hear from people who have issues, nevber do you see a thread that says, hey just checking in on my 100k mile 4matic doing great. i look all over wbay and classified and see many 100k+ mile 4matic w204s on original drivelines. my fathers 2007 4matic has 100k and is a 4matic with no issues, just a replaced valve body at 30k.
i think alot of failures are due to how people drive them and or service them. i real on a glk thread that theres a small vdo part that plastic that fails. also i have yet to read of any deads transmission threads, the common thing i read is the end users hears or feels a vibration, nothing of a trans blowing up leaving them on the side of the road though.
i think alot of failures are due to how people drive them and or service them. i real on a glk thread that theres a small vdo part that plastic that fails. also i have yet to read of any deads transmission threads, the common thing i read is the end users hears or feels a vibration, nothing of a trans blowing up leaving them on the side of the road though.
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From: Toronto
2008 c300
Good post Crippled - as you say your thread attracted very few complaints about 4matic failures.
About 90% of mercs sold in Canada (MB's figure for Nov '12) are 4matics and if they were experiencing a large failure rate it would be in the motoring press by now for sure. Hell it would be in the regular press. But there's nothing.
About 90% of mercs sold in Canada (MB's figure for Nov '12) are 4matics and if they were experiencing a large failure rate it would be in the motoring press by now for sure. Hell it would be in the regular press. But there's nothing.
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From: Toronto
2022 E53 AMG
I think what is really going on here is that people abuse the 4-matic system by spinning the wheels with a kickdown on wet surface.
The 4-Matic system is used to help increase traction and drive ability. If people abuse the system...it will fail just like ANY 4 wheel system
The 4-Matic system is used to help increase traction and drive ability. If people abuse the system...it will fail just like ANY 4 wheel system
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From: LI, NY, U.S.A.
2013 GLK 350 4M (Iridium Silver), 2010 E350 Coupe (Iridium Silver)
This claim [that 7g + 4m is a poor matchup] is backed up by some of the more knowledgeable folks on this board.
The design of the transmission creates insufficient pressure between the valve body and plates (iirc) causing unnecessary slippage/wear/etc...
Or something along those lines.
As for the 4Matic, Acapulco Bill was saying something about how it needs to be babied.
The design of the transmission creates insufficient pressure between the valve body and plates (iirc) causing unnecessary slippage/wear/etc...
Or something along those lines.
As for the 4Matic, Acapulco Bill was saying something about how it needs to be babied.
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2011 c300 4m
theres plenty out there with 100k+ on stock drivelines. I agree that any awd car needs to be babied to keep longevity, i give mine a good run every now again but a 220hp v6 doesnt put out enought power to really destroy them
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09 C350 4Matic
268hp V6 actually. And it's been trouble free for me. It's also a real pleasure to drive. Its no torque monster but it gets the job done IMHO!
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GLK350
[quote=keith100;5428028]
So, by now everyone knows the 7 speed auto combo isn't the most robust when coupled with 4Matic.
Well I gor one will now be on my third tran services ger case in 60000 miles. There are several others on forums if you look a little...... no support from mb after the 50k warranty either and they quote 6000 + to fix it
So on what factual basis do you make this claim?
Well I gor one will now be on my third tran services ger case in 60000 miles. There are several others on forums if you look a little...... no support from mb after the 50k warranty either and they quote 6000 + to fix it
So on what factual basis do you make this claim?
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From: Toronto
2022 E53 AMG
I have the more powerful 302hp in my car and it has had not problems so far but I will keep an eye on it. I'm a cruiser more of the time but I like to feel the power when I get that energy...not very often.
I matched the C350 to the 4-Matic option as it just made sense with the extra hp to handle the extra components. MB does states that the 4-matic system can be damaged if wheel spin and kickdown is used on wet surfaces.
The 4-matic is not an old system and has been built upon ever since it was created and offered to MB vehicles.
I know when I first drove my car I had to get used to the transmission as it switched so many times with the 7 speed. The car only had 12km on it when I got it so I know it was still learning.
Now it really moves, it selects gears and kickdown even in E mode. It's not peppy in E-mode but the power is there if I need it without switching to S.
Almost all new models from 2012 -2013 and future will have the 4-matic system, G, GL, GLK, M, ML, E, and S.
I would think that MB would know how to make a 4-matic system by now and grow upon it over the years, especially since they offer it in almost all models now
I matched the C350 to the 4-Matic option as it just made sense with the extra hp to handle the extra components. MB does states that the 4-matic system can be damaged if wheel spin and kickdown is used on wet surfaces.
The 4-matic is not an old system and has been built upon ever since it was created and offered to MB vehicles.
I know when I first drove my car I had to get used to the transmission as it switched so many times with the 7 speed. The car only had 12km on it when I got it so I know it was still learning.
Now it really moves, it selects gears and kickdown even in E mode. It's not peppy in E-mode but the power is there if I need it without switching to S.
Almost all new models from 2012 -2013 and future will have the 4-matic system, G, GL, GLK, M, ML, E, and S.
I would think that MB would know how to make a 4-matic system by now and grow upon it over the years, especially since they offer it in almost all models now
Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 172
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From: markham, ON, Canada
2014 ML 350 BT
I have the more powerful 302hp in my car and it has had not problems so far but I will keep an eye on it. I'm a cruiser more of the time but I like to feel the power when I get that energy...not very often.
I matched the C350 to the 4-Matic option as it just made sense with the extra hp to handle the extra components. MB does states that the 4-matic system can be damaged if wheel spin and kickdown is used on wet surfaces.
The 4-matic is not an old system and has been built upon ever since it was created and offered to MB vehicles.
I know when I first drove my car I had to get used to the transmission as it switched so many times with the 7 speed. The car only had 12km on it when I got it so I know it was still learning.
Now it really moves, it selects gears and kickdown even in E mode. It's not peppy in E-mode but the power is there if I need it without switching to S.
Almost all new models from 2012 -2013 and future will have the 4-matic system, G, GL, GLK, M, ML, E, and S.
I would think that MB would know how to make a 4-matic system by now and grow upon it over the years, especially since they offer it in almost all models now
I matched the C350 to the 4-Matic option as it just made sense with the extra hp to handle the extra components. MB does states that the 4-matic system can be damaged if wheel spin and kickdown is used on wet surfaces.
The 4-matic is not an old system and has been built upon ever since it was created and offered to MB vehicles.
I know when I first drove my car I had to get used to the transmission as it switched so many times with the 7 speed. The car only had 12km on it when I got it so I know it was still learning.
Now it really moves, it selects gears and kickdown even in E mode. It's not peppy in E-mode but the power is there if I need it without switching to S.
Almost all new models from 2012 -2013 and future will have the 4-matic system, G, GL, GLK, M, ML, E, and S.
I would think that MB would know how to make a 4-matic system by now and grow upon it over the years, especially since they offer it in almost all models now
+1.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2012
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2026 GLC300 4Matic (X254)
I agree, MB should be building a durable AWD system since some of their main competition is Audi Quattro and BMW XDrive. However, I'm concerned because it seems that transfer cases are having issues on even new cars.
What would make things better is if MB would be more transparent. I want to know, specifically, two things from MB:
1. Considering the failures of 09/10 C Class and M and GLK models, have they found the actual failure point and fixed it for 2011 or 2012 models? I don't see them telling us that because that would mean they admit failure of earlier models.
2. I want to know what they have done to mitigate carbon build up issues in their DI gas engines. They say the new C250 is a new design, but what is new about it in terms of DI? How are they getting around carbon build up without secondary port injectors? Audi and BMW/MINI can't do it...so what does MB know?
The concept of buying an MB is attractive to me because, in the past, they are almost heirloom cars, but it seems like the more research I do, the more stuff I find. Of course, all cars have issues, but I'd like to know if they fix problems as they come up, or wait until redesigns?
What would make things better is if MB would be more transparent. I want to know, specifically, two things from MB:
1. Considering the failures of 09/10 C Class and M and GLK models, have they found the actual failure point and fixed it for 2011 or 2012 models? I don't see them telling us that because that would mean they admit failure of earlier models.
2. I want to know what they have done to mitigate carbon build up issues in their DI gas engines. They say the new C250 is a new design, but what is new about it in terms of DI? How are they getting around carbon build up without secondary port injectors? Audi and BMW/MINI can't do it...so what does MB know?
The concept of buying an MB is attractive to me because, in the past, they are almost heirloom cars, but it seems like the more research I do, the more stuff I find. Of course, all cars have issues, but I'd like to know if they fix problems as they come up, or wait until redesigns?
