my06clk

Hello all,,

Well up to now, I've been quiet regarding issues with these cars because I've been pretty fortunate and happy till now...

My car has 4K miles on it and at 1900 miles I started havin shifting problems after my initial service. i took it back to the dealer, who duplicated the problem, and they informed me that they could either change the valve body, or install a new software update for the 7 speeds that they would have in a couple of weeks.

I decided to wait for the software. Now I have taken the car in, they tried the software, and it didn't work. So, they changed the valve body, still the same problem. Now guess what??

My 2006 CAB with 4K miles on it is getting a new tranny!!!

I'm not sure how I feel about this. My first reaction was "you can keep that peice of S^&T and get me a new car"!!! I'm glad they immediately went for a complete replacement instead of try to BS me with this issue, so Kudos there, But I'm still having a hard time trying to swallow the fact that I paid 59K for a car two months ago, and now It needs a new tranny..... My girl's 2005 sebring needed a new tranny cuz it stripped first gear at 19K, and my commen was "well the car cost 16K new at least they covered it" They had it 3 weeks with no loaner.
So imagine her reaction when I told her my good news....LoL long story short, she is driving around in the 2006 C230 I have (had) for a loaner right now thinking "well his expensive A$% mercedes F^&%ked up and it was brand new. I don't feel so bad about my chrysler now....."

Should I be calling foul at MB Quality?? or is this just a fluke??

Any thoughts on this anyone??

clk2k3

for some reason they can't get it right with the transmission. I had the same problem with my 03 clk. At first they told me, I didn't know how to drive the car...but later I took it to another dealer and they said it was b/c of a transmission problem.

not sure if i would buy another mb!

ItalianStallion

The 7 speed tranny is (I hate to say it) garbage. Its awesome as far as performance goes (though it is too slow for me). I'm taking my car in monday to have the tranny looked at. I've had issues with the tranny for a long time, now its just getting real bad. Maybe its because I got the first year of the 7gtronics and the newer ones are better? The one in my S550 feels much better and smoother.

my06clk

Hopefully garbage is an exaggeration. Otherwise they might as well start looking for me another car because I will lemon law the S^&^t out of the thing otherwise.

But I am remaining optomistic. Being so late in the year, I might end up with one of the later tranny's like the version that is in the 07's. I'm sure with all of the issues they have made some internal changes by now.. But we'll see.
Overall I was hyped about the performance with the 7 speed and the 350 engine. it just shifted really funky off the line,like from 1st to 3rd or 4th gear at times which made me want to punch the gas to make it go. Very irritating ... and when I came to a stop it just kinda bumped into2nd and 1st as I slowed, I'm think sh*t I can shift better than this myself..Lol...
BUt I'll repost an update after my baby comes home and I get a few thousand miles on her.

ItalianStallion

I really didn't mean to use such a strong word as garbage, but I don't think this transmission is perfected enough for our cars. They still have a very low torque limit (I've heard anything over 500tq destroys the tranny) and right now my torque is supposed to be around 450 with nitrous, so you can't go modding these 7 speed cars too heavy (forget a Kleeman or Renntech supercharger). I still feel the transmission is too jerky for a Benz, it feels very harsh and sporty. I like sporty, but that 1-2 shift is just annoying. I find that if I have someone in the car and want the car to have a more luxurious feel, I will use comfort mode so that it doesn't shift down to first.

My car is currently at the dealership getting the transmission issues fixed. I spoke to my service advisor and he said that right now they are downloading some software which should resolve the tranny issues. I'll let you know if they fixed the problem as soon as I get my car back.

And you should take your car in too. I've heard a ton of guys complain about their transmissions and they got them repaired or replaced by MB instantly. Maybe you have to have the newer software updated too?

clkcadet

software upgrades do nothing, in my past experience (dont know if it really does work) all it does it resets the shift points and once you start driving again it will adapt to your style

ItalianStallion

I wouldn't be suprised.

my06clk

Just to let everyone know, I got my car back the other day, and it is as good as new!!!
I am very haappy. I drove it to Houston, and the shifting was perfect. In the city taking off from stop lights, were as if I got a whole new car!!! the gears are perfect!!
I told my rep that I wanted my default shift points to be as agressive as possible, and I think that is what they did.

I'm glad I got my baby back!!!!!!

ItalianStallion

Just got a call from my s/a, he said that the new software download fixed my tranny issues. We'll see...

My main concern is that they couldn't fix my radio as you'll see in my other thread.

Geoff_1010

Just thought I would let you know I reported to my dealer that my 7 speed transmission had change patterns that varied, and sometimes on the downshifts it became very harse. Didn't matter whetehr it was 3rd to 2nd or whatever, but it didnt happen all the time. They installed new software and althogh its only been a few days, so far so good!

S2000

2006 CLK500 w/900 miles on it and it had 7-speed issues (hard shift 1-2 and clunk 2-1)

Took it to the dealer and 24hrs. later I had a new transmission in it. No accusations from dealer, no problems from MB, loaner car. No problems since transmission switch.

*note: I was told the problem was linked to coolant leaking into the transmission through faulty seals.

Just because it COSTS XXX or "should" be QUALITY YYY doesn't mean that they don't break. It's how the Dealer/MB handles the issue and what the resolution is that matters. In my instance MB Service and Qaulity was what I expected. Dealer was GREAT.

Thanks MB...LOVE THE CAR

CLK500man

Just FYI: first MY for the 7G was the 2004 E500, S430, S500, SL500, CL500
2005 CLK 500 recieved the 7G with the interior refresh & AMG kit w/ new trunk spoiler & new AMG 17" wheels (same as yours).
The 7G has essentially been in production since late 2003 builds.

Of course I may be wrong...

Family member has a 2004 S430, both of us have no problems with the 7G both w/ approx 30,000mi.
Your M-B dealer should take care of you problems immediately!! Shame on them

termigni

06 CLK 350 with 7,500mi here and no tranny problems.

mrkbbd

my sister's '06 ml500 has similar issues where it downshifts way too readily, red lines, then just sits there, after a pause it reengages into a higher gear, but not a smooth transition at all