Help! C43 needs new tranny at 53K miles

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Jun 22, 2003 | 02:02 PM

c2turbo

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From: Los Angeles

1999 C43 AMG

Help! C43 needs new tranny at 53K miles

This is my first post on this board. I have a 1999 C43 AMG. Car has 53K miles. The tranny would constantly act up,shift way to late on hard acceleration and hover at high rpm for couple seconds before upshifting. Also, the tranny would make a very hard and abrasive sound when shifting from park to drive or drive to reverse, etc.

Lastly, when starting car sometimes the car would not engage until a couple of key turnings. when it did finally start up, RPM would jump to 3500-4000 for a few seconds, and then drop to 750.

I took car to dealer and they informed me after a few days of analysis that needs new tranny. FORTUNATELY, I have an aftermarket warranty that will cover the cost.

Any help or suggestions as to proper steps to take from here would be greatly appreciated.

Colin

Last edited by c2turbo; Jun 22, 2003 at 02:19 PM.

Jun 23, 2003 | 04:46 AM

steve s

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From: San Francisco, CA

1996 C36 AMG, 1995 Volvo 850 Turbowagon

there were a couple of posts here about the aggressive programming of the tranny on c43 cars...and how they would go thru trannies at a very fast pace...

Jun 23, 2003 | 12:23 PM

c2turbo

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1999 C43 AMG

Thank you for your response. I am looking for comments or opinions on what to request of the dealer regarding the new transmission.

Should I ask them to make sure that the computer chip has been reprogrammed? Any other suggestions? I have also noticed some threads discussing Mobil 1 tranny oil. Is this something that I should ask for?

Again, everyones help is GREATLY appreciated.

Colin

Jun 23, 2003 | 04:41 PM

blackmercedes

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Quote:

Originally posted by c2turbo
...I have also noticed some threads discussing Mobil 1 tranny oil. Is this something that I should ask for?

They won't install that for you, and you should never put any in yourself, either. The 722.6 five speed automatic uses a proprietary MB synthetic trans fluid, and you should never put anything but that in.

Also, don't monkey with your tranny. There is no dipstick, and the tranny does not require "topping" up. The fluid level must be set with the fluid at 80C temp, otherwise the level will be inaccurate.

The number #1 reason for failure of older MB automatics was dorks at Lube-Ex "topping 'er up fer ya" and overfilling the transmission. When MB released the 722.6 they omitted the dipstick to keep people from "preventatively" ruining their transmission.

When the dealer replaces the tranny, ask them if they're going to replace the torque converter too. If the tranny grenaded, the torque converter may be filled with filings too, and that's not good.

Jun 23, 2003 | 07:10 PM

c2turbo

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1999 C43 AMG

My dealer just informed me that my warranty company will only pay to have the transmission rebuilt.

Is this acceptable or is it just a quick fix?

Thanks,

Colin

Jun 23, 2003 | 09:32 PM

blackmercedes

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Should be fine, but you should find out the difference between the rebuilding price and the cost of new tranny and think about pitching the difference.

Jun 23, 2003 | 10:01 PM

Eurosport

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monowiper

if they rebuilt it properly will be just like brand new anyway
why waste dollas?

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Jun 23, 2003 | 11:04 PM

c2turbo

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1999 C43 AMG

Thank you to everyone. I really appreciate input, it helps me feel a better about my car after repairs are done. This is unquestionably the best forum for C43AMG people.

Does anyone know if there is any special break-in process for tranny, or can I drive aggressively from the start?

Thanks again to everyone.

Colin

Jun 23, 2003 | 11:04 PM

#10

Denlasoul

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From: Club202.com

1998 C43

For the most part, my tranny seems fine to me.

Jun 23, 2003 | 11:23 PM

#11

blackmercedes

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Quote:

Originally posted by Eurosport
if they rebuilt it properly will be just like brand new anyway
why waste dollas?

If the price was very close, then I'd pay a few extra bucks for the new tranny. If the gap is significant, then go for the rebuild.

Jun 24, 2003 | 01:54 AM

#12

mis-u-jerr

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From: SF Bay Area

1999 C43

Quote:

Originally posted by baron
Just curious are there many other C43 owners with tranny problems, or are most of them in good shape? I've heard of at least 5 incidents.

I just had the sun gear relaced at 32K, under warranty. I'm not too transmission savvy, but they said this is the main gear, with all the others around it (hence the "sun" designation). They said they smelled burned fluid too. I'm wondering why it fried at 32K. I don't ever do burnouts or brakestands or anything like that. Now it doesn't seem to downshift as readily when I gas it partial throttle (has about 1K mi on it so yes it should be adapted). And just in the last few days it seems extra "whiney" in 2nd gear under deceleration.

So that is my story (so far)...

Jun 27, 2003 | 11:58 AM

#13

c2turbo

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From: Los Angeles

1999 C43 AMG

Update!

I called the dealer today to get an update on my C43. The service advisor told me that when they installed the REBUILT trannsmission, the car was actually driving worse then when I took it in to the dealer. Accordingly, he said that their top in-house tech was going to fix the tranny himself.

Is this possible that the tranny is worse AFTER the rebuild, and what can their in-house tech do to solve the problem?

Again, thank you to al that have responded.

Best Regards,

Colin

Jun 27, 2003 | 03:17 PM

#14

BrabusCClass

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GL450, Sienna SE

I believe only the 1999 C43 had this problem. They tried to rebuild mine but they said it was like a granaded exploded in there so they had to replace it with a new one.

Jun 27, 2003 | 05:08 PM

#15

moedigga

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From: Columbia,SC

2017 GLE 350 Wifey, 2005 C55 AMG

At 47500mi all this talk is making me nervous

just keepin my fingers crossed that she keeps runnin like she loves me-MOE

Jun 27, 2003 | 10:14 PM

#16

baron

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From: Bay Area, CA

Mercedes C43 AMG

Quote:

Originally posted by BrabusCClass
I believe only the 1999 C43 had this problem. They tried to rebuild mine but they said it was like a granaded exploded in there so they had to replace it with a new one.

BrabusCClass:

Do you know for a fact that the tranny problem is only isolated to 1999 C43s? Is it because the tranny program was too aggressive? I have a 98 so hopefully I am safe.

Also, I noticed that you have a VIS carbon hood on your other car. Is it pretty secured and closes properly? Are you happy with the new one and were you able to keep your old hood? I want to get this done but not sure how to work out the logistic of shipping the CF hood and bringing the original hood back home. I have lots of chips and some scratchs on my hood and I figured the amount it will cost me to restore my good will be as a much as a new CF hood.

Thanks in advance,
Baron

Jul 4, 2003 | 11:08 PM

#17

Public Enemy

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From: San leandro, CA

1998 C 230, 2000 S500, 2002 CLK 430, BMW 525i

I have a 1998 C230 and I have the exact same problem that the topic poster has. My car has 59,625 miles on it. Im getting my new tran put in next week. Thankfully my aftermarket warranty covers it.

Jul 5, 2003 | 03:26 AM

#18

henry47

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asdf

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=44521

im having the same problem except that my dealer isn't doing anything about it. I believe they think that I'm over reacting about the jolts during downshifting and about the rpm's "spooling" before it catches a gear. Is there any way I can convince my dealer to replace my tranny?

Jul 10, 2003 | 12:40 AM

#19

Troy

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1998 C43

Bad News tranny dead

I have a 98 C43 with only 47k and first gear is making some serious noise. Once it shifts into second it is fine but the dealer says a need a new one. $ 4750 for the tranny, 1050 for the coverter and 600 for some switch. This really pisses me off considering I have only had the car for 6 months. What is with a benz that the trany blows in such few miles. I do not have an extended warrenty so I am open to suggestions. I have been thinking about spending a day trying to pawn it off on less suspecting dealerships on trade. Any one know what other tranys will fit?? I am considering getting on from a junk yard but am not sure what other 722.6xx will fit. Please email or post with help.

Jul 10, 2003 | 01:10 AM

#20

BenzoAMGpower

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From: North Cuba/West Bimini

Cars and boats!

I have a slight problem with my black 98' C43.....it seems that sometimes when i floor it after i make a turn, the revs will climb up fast....the tranny will catch late, and then it would hit the rev limiter be4 it shifts!!! It doesnt do this constantly but only sometimes. Is this a problem? Any1 else have the same experiences?

My tranny has be replaced be4 as i heard from the previous owner...at 51K miles!!!! I have around 93k miles on there now

but the car is still under starmark warantee!! Any suggestions?

Jul 10, 2003 | 01:18 AM

#21

baron

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From: Bay Area, CA

Mercedes C43 AMG

Re: Bad News tranny dead

Quote:

Originally posted by Troy
I have a 98 C43 with only 47k and first gear is making some serious noise. Once it shifts into second it is fine but the dealer says a need a new one. $ 4750 for the tranny, 1050 for the coverter and 600 for some switch. This really pisses me off considering I have only had the car for 6 months. What is with a benz that the trany blows in such few miles. I do not have an extended warrenty so I am open to suggestions. I have been thinking about spending a day trying to pawn it off on less suspecting dealerships on trade. Any one know what other tranys will fit?? I am considering getting on from a junk yard but am not sure what other 722.6xx will fit. Please email or post with help.

Sorry to hear about your problems. My tranny had some issues a while back but it was a simple fix and I had extended warranty. Anyway, did you tranny shift agressively before the problem started? I think these tranny failures are associated with the agressive programming. I'm still quite concerned if there could be more problems in the future.

Spending close to $6k is pretty steep. It might be hard to sell it to the dealer. And the trade-in values of the C43 has been quite miserable. I wouldn't really know what to do if this problem happened to me. I guess going to the junk yard is a good start. Or you should bring it to an independent dealer to find a cheaper solution. It might not require an entirely new tranny and that the your tranny could be fixed. Also, the C43 tranny is from the SL500. Good luck and let us know what happened.

Baron

Last edited by baron; Jul 10, 2003 at 01:21 AM.

Jul 10, 2003 | 02:26 PM

#22

pks485

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I have had my transmission go at around 39,000 miles on my car. However, my car was out of the warranty period. Fortunately for me, the dealer saw that my car was a low mileage vehicle, and split the costs, 50/50. Good luck, I hope it all works out!

Jul 19, 2003 | 08:53 PM

#23

BenzoAMGpower

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Cars and boats!

will a tranny from a CLK55 or E55 fit into a C43? If i am gunna do the 5.4L M113 swap, im pretty sure a stock SL500 tranny wont hold all the power!!!!!!