Thoughts on these Sonnax parts please
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Joined: Aug 2020
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C32 AMG
Thoughts on these Sonnax parts please
I’m in the middle of a pretty deep resto of my (sorta daily) C32 and want to perfect this trans. It’s certainly robust but I often feel it is confused and can’t keep up. I experience a little of the “lunge/jerk” and other odd “clutch drop like a manual” at slow speeds sort of things. Not all the time, but it’s there and I don’t want it to be.
I’ve ordered the conductor plate and Sonnax Overlap Control Valve Sleeve Kit, I’ve already paid for the Eurocharged TCU tune (which I’ll have performed upon completion of the hardware fixes), and I’m ordering the TCC valve solenoid itself along with the fluid from Benz (already have the gasket and filter kit also)
with all that said, should I do the Sonnax TCC Damper Valve Sleeve kit also? And what are your thoughts on the Trans Pressure Regulator Boost Valve and sleeve kit? One part of my brain says go all in and just get every single Sonnax part/kit I can and don’t look back. The other side of my brain says changing too many things on an already decent functioning, 200k mile car/trans is asking for something to go wrong.
Lastly, I’m not opposed to buying a whole new valve body and just throwing it in, saving me the hassle of swapping all these things out, but is it worth it? (Not that I even have a clue the cost, but if it’s thousands I might as well wait and get a whole new trans when I blow this one up someday)
I know that’s a lot of info to ask for, and as you can tell my head is spinning. So I’m open to suggestions in any direction.
I’ve ordered the conductor plate and Sonnax Overlap Control Valve Sleeve Kit, I’ve already paid for the Eurocharged TCU tune (which I’ll have performed upon completion of the hardware fixes), and I’m ordering the TCC valve solenoid itself along with the fluid from Benz (already have the gasket and filter kit also)
with all that said, should I do the Sonnax TCC Damper Valve Sleeve kit also? And what are your thoughts on the Trans Pressure Regulator Boost Valve and sleeve kit? One part of my brain says go all in and just get every single Sonnax part/kit I can and don’t look back. The other side of my brain says changing too many things on an already decent functioning, 200k mile car/trans is asking for something to go wrong.
Lastly, I’m not opposed to buying a whole new valve body and just throwing it in, saving me the hassle of swapping all these things out, but is it worth it? (Not that I even have a clue the cost, but if it’s thousands I might as well wait and get a whole new trans when I blow this one up someday)
I know that’s a lot of info to ask for, and as you can tell my head is spinning. So I’m open to suggestions in any direction.
Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 224
Likes: 59
From: WEST
190E, C36, C55, CLK55, ML55
I think for what are you are after, going with the VRP valve body might not be a bad choice, plus you can have them add in the sonnax sleeve kit to your liking upon ordering. The other thing you can add on to help out temps and keep fluid clean is the larger trans pan from VRP. I was going to do this exact upgrade to my C55 before I did the manual swap. Not affiliated with them at all, they just have great products and the prices and performance for these two items specifically beat out the competition....
Here is the valve body:
https://www.vrpspeed.com/product/sga150/
Here is the Trans Pan:
https://www.vrpspeed.com/product/vrp...nsmission-pan/
Here is the valve body:
https://www.vrpspeed.com/product/sga150/
Here is the Trans Pan:
https://www.vrpspeed.com/product/vrp...nsmission-pan/
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Joined: May 2008
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From: Los Angeles, CA
Supercharged CLK500,ML500,S580
I was in a similar situation as you are; I have a Eurocharged TCU tune and I went through the process of ordering the Sonax Kits as well as the trans go kit, conductor plate and most of the shift solenoids. I went through the trouble of replacing the parts in the valvebody, but I did have a little difficulty during the install (I have no experience with transmissions, but it was doable), particularly when the valve ***** fell out and I had to get diagrams of their locations online. In the end, it was working okay but I was not 100 percent satisfied so I decided to get a remanufatured Valve Body from a Mercedes Dealership (it includes the valve body, conductor plate, all new solenoids, and the latest internal parts) and swapped out the valve bodies; I'm now happy with my shifting.
If I had to do it over again, I would have just ordered the remanufatured valve body. Not only is the install faster since the valve body didn't have to come apart, but you get a tested valve body that has the latest part numbers for all components. I went on MBoemparts.com (part number 140270060680 for my CLK500) in June and paid $811 plus $169 core charge (I just check the website today and they are now on sale for $642!!!). Good Luck!
If I had to do it over again, I would have just ordered the remanufatured valve body. Not only is the install faster since the valve body didn't have to come apart, but you get a tested valve body that has the latest part numbers for all components. I went on MBoemparts.com (part number 140270060680 for my CLK500) in June and paid $811 plus $169 core charge (I just check the website today and they are now on sale for $642!!!). Good Luck!
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C32 AMG
I already bought the Sonnax overlap kit and a conductor plate (and filter and gasket and dipstick etc) before posting this, so my Q is can I use all the stuff I got with a new valve body or does the new one come with the con plate etc?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,250
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From: Los Angeles, CA
Supercharged CLK500,ML500,S580
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 11
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C32 AMG
Thank you guys for this help. I’m a little on the fence but if I can return the parts I already bought I will indeed replace the whole valve body. I do t want it harsh at all, just right and firm like I expect an AMG car to feel. My W124 500E shifted really really well as did my W215 CL600. I want THAT feeling. Not a “confused trans” feeling if that makes sense.
