tallison24

This is kinda a continuation of my thread $8,500 ?. This part considering the 7 speed transmission.

I had a Mercedes service manager read me the warranty work on a 2005 CLK500 vert(he could not let me see it or give me a copy,what's up with that???--You can get complete service history of any Lexus online.

Anyway, there was no history of any transmission work. The car has slightly over 50,000 miles. I guess I was hoping that the valve body/control unit had been replaced so I'm guessing this is bad news as there is a noted comment by the owner of a sometimes hesitation(no acceleration when gas pedal is depressed).

If I understand all I have read about the problems that could affect this car, the replacement of the valve body/control unit would cost $1,800 and if let go the entire repair could be approx. $7,000.

Is there any of this information that is inaccurate or is there anything to add that would affect my decision to buy? The service manager reports no problems like this at his dealership so I guess it must be not really happening.

Rudeney

It's because the VMI has personal information from prior owners on it and they legally cannot disclose that. If the dealer really wanted to, they could obfuscate that and give it to you, but they generally wont/ BTW, the sales department has access to the VMI as well (though many don;t realize it) and they sometimes are more generous than the service sept.

Yeah, but it's still a Lexus, i.e. a Toyota with extra wood and leather.

If you think spending $1,800 now would save you a $7,000 repair later, then I'd spend that $1,800.

Don't trust service managers. They usually don't have a clue as to what is going on in the real world. Then again, if you follow the forums, where people come for information to help solve their problems, you'd think these cars were dropping like flies. The reality lies somewhere in between. Yes, there are enough incidents of transmission problems that MBZ issued a TSB. But no, not every early 7Gtronic is falling apart.

tallison24

Thanks for the reply. The question is not whether to spend the $1800 to avoid the larger bill later, but whether I should buy the car at all when it has shown this particular symptom with the early 7 speed transmission. I guess the question comes down to how reasonable is it to assume I will end up with the same problem that many others have? That would ruin the ownership experience for me, especially since it is a known issue.

Louie D

IMHO if you have any doubts witch it seems like you do I would say don't buy it. There are plenty of other CLK's out there that are Certified Pre-Owned with great prices.

Mka77

I agree with Louie. The one you are looking at has you way too paranoid. Buy certified if you can.

tallison24

I don't look at myself as being paranoid at all. All I'm trying to do here is to verify if my understanding of the poor transmission history of the 7 speed as it applies to this car and it's hesitation is accurate. Once I am confident that my facts are straight I can offer for the car accordingly.

I guess the main question I'm hoping someone is knowledgeable about is since there has been no transmission work done for the first 50,000 is it likely to need some in the future and what would that be, and how costly. I know there are no absolutes, just trying to make the best decision possible.

Oh, by the way, the car is immaculate and seems to have been greatly cared for.

Mka77

I just had the service done at 50k for 489.00. Missed it at the 39k interval. Same 7 speed you are questioning.

tallison24

What was included in the service you had done and what part(s) failure is it supposed to ward off?

M-bENZ

I never had any problem with my 7 speed transmission and the car is 05.

M-bENZ

Mka77

Complete flush, including converter. 10 quarts of fluid replaced, inspection of components, reflash, test drive.

No idea of what it's suppose to ward off. It's a scheduled MBZ maintenance item.

mralf

I got an 05 500 I did my trans service per my request at 35,000 not the dealers ( sometimes I cant help to think they dont want you to keep it long and buy another) and have no issues. I push my car very hard at times. What is funny is that an issue I thought was with tranny, was caused by the double shim plates the dealer installed on the front brakes. I did my own brake job switched to akebonos at 67,000 miles and used only one shim the OEM one not the akebono. Now the stops are smooth as butter.

mralf

Just try out the car drive it and compare it.