baron

How many have problems with their tranmissions for their C43s? If so, state the problem.

baron

I made this poll because other people and I seem to have problems with their transmission. Some problems are worse than others.

My tranny had a problem at 53k miles. The conducting plate failed and would've cost $600. It was fixed under extended warranty and the car is fine now.

mis-u-jerr

I put minor (so far), although now that I think about it, replacing the sun gear is not minor, although it is certainly not total failure.

99SlvrC43

Mines at the dealer right now, I hope to get it back today. I had problems with it shifting into Neutral (occured 3 times)

I'll let you know what they did to correct it.

croni

I have officially become a statistic !

61K miles and the new noise was diagnosed as a 'catastrophic failure' of the tranny as well as the torque converter. $5700 quote for replacement from the dealership. OUCH!
The blessing for me was that the information found here in the forum lead me to the purchase of an extend warranty. I am still waiting how well the (aftermarket) coverage handles the claim.

KWiK

mine went in today with only 52K miles. Good thing it's a Starmark...

speedybenz

No problems with my tranny. However I know it was completely overhauled at about 55,000 miles.

I run Mobil 1 Syn ATF and change out whats in the pan (4qts) about every 3,000 miles.

Jeff

99SlvrC43

guys you are really scaring the ***** out of me with these stories

c2turbo

I needed to get my tranny replaced on my 1999 C43 at 53K miles also. Fortunately, I had a after market warranty. Cost was $4700. Ouch!!!

croni

...As Jimmy Cliff sang it, is the tune that comes to mind while I wait out the results of the pending warranty claim.

I have an aftermarket contract and from what I understand, assuming they cover the claim (crossed fingers appreciated), they will attempt to first locate an 'equally used' transmission. If not found, then they will search for a 'refurbished' unit and then if all else fails, they will follow MB's standard of 'NO REPAIR, ONLY REPLACE' with a new tranny.

The prognosis doesn't look favorable!

Let this be a warning to those who;

A) assume that the MB name alone is sufficient security against Catastrophic failures.

B) believe the claims of warranty contracts (and vendors) without performing EXTENSIVE research on the company and the fine print within the contract.

mis-u-jerr

Can I vote again?
Took it in during the last throughs of the warranty, had a lot of things done. Specifically re: the trans, the freewheel unit was falling apart. They also repaced the front pump. Replaced lots of other parts, "almost a rebuild". But now that I have driven it for a week, the "smacks up against the rev limiter before shifting" problem is still there. I might make a new tread about this, but I once saw a fix that someone said their service people did, and it outlined all the steps taken. It might have been on here but I couldn't find it. Anyone know what I am talking about?

And now the trans has developed a high pitched whine under full throttle, starting at about 4K rpm...

And I thought my Porsche (993) was a POS...
Thanks

croni

Great news!!!
...for me anyway.

After several heated conversations with the warranty company over the contract fine print (lack thereof) and what

I will have a new transmission (not used) installed this week.
I will not be funding the unnecessary 9 extra hours labor to 'inspect' the inside of a failed transmission
I will be driving their rent car until mine is returned.

Interestingly enough, the last conversation included questions regarding my choice in purchasing this after market coverage.

"Why our company?" He asked
"Because nobody else would offer extend coverage on AMG." I replied.

With the outcome of this transaction, I understand there will be further steps taken to prevent warranty solicitation on MB models labeled with a single letter/double digit marque.

...Lets see how well they respond next time.

CtekC43

Can someone please elaborate on how to get your fluid changed on the C43 when the dealer says, 'its a sealed system and does not need changing?'

I see lots of references to change it and I want to with 80K trouble free miles ( consider myself fortunate ).

I took it to an outside shop and they told me the same thing, though they don't buy it either.

Help appreciated.

Thanks

speedybenz

On the flat black colored pan under the trans is a 5mm allen head bolt that you can unscrew to allow 3 to 4 quarts of ATF to drain out.

Although you only get out 3-4 qts. it's very easy and takes 15-20 minutes. Then lift the hood and break the cap seal for the ATF fluid. It is located in the rear of the motor near the firewall.

So then you put in the same amount of fluid you drained out and drive around for a week or so and then repeat. After a few drain cycles you will have essentually new ATF fluid. I have been using Mobil 1 Syn. ATF to my great satisfaction.

Jeff

moedigga

65000 and counting, had filter and fluid changed at about 45- 50 k and so far no problems, but i must stress I rarley redline my car, after the first couple times that motion just bores me so why beat it. Keepin fingers crossed cause no warranty left on this machine!!!!

Teck

I better say nothing about my tranny before something happens lol /j/k

Knock on wood nothing happens until today!

klotrix

I have a 99 c43 and I also had problems with my tranny. At 28,000 miles the whole thing was destroyed. I needed a new computer, tranny, gearbox....etc. The price was $7,850. Thank God it was still under factory warranty.

Now I have 37,000 and its running great.

narci

Remember to get MB to reprogram the tranny to the new lesser agressive software so that you don't blow the tranny again. That was the main problem witht he C43 trannies is that the software programmed the tranny to be agressive.

C43BUCK

so what did you do to correct this problem? mine is shifting into neutral too. turn car off, restart and its fine...sounds electronic to me.

Ausmbtech

I keep hearing people saying this but the W202 transmission ECU isn't reprogramable. You can buy a new one that has later software but an existing one can't be altered (I talking about W202's, other models became programable in later years). Also I have neer seen any MB documentation that states that there is "less agressive" software or that a different ECU needs to be used in a C43, the only MB I know of that needed different software to prevent mechanical failure was the W168 Autos. Most of the C43 failures are a mechanical failure of a bearing or sprag clutch.

Have any of the tech's out there seen any supporting documentation of this software problem?

Ausmbtech

I remember someone had powerchip/another tuner bump up the rev limiter by about 200-300rpm which stopped this happening. I have experienced this but only in the 1-2 shift when there is a slight downhill. There is no factory fix for this issue.

C280 Sport

Its really a hit or miss issue. I know 5 people who have W202 AMG's. 4 out of the 5 people have had tranny issues. One of them needed a whole replacement. Other 202 owners I know that have non AMG have not had this issue. Its a really a hit or miss.

db92

Mine has 145,000 miles and there has been no rebuild as far as I know and I have what I think are all the records (im 3rd owner) Is this car just a ticking time bomb for sure? Tranny has zero issues currently.

Should I have the computer reprogrammed now to be less agressive?