'06 CLS500 Potential New Buyer - Help!
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Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 94
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From: The boonies of Idaho
2002 Mercedes Benz SL500
'06 CLS500 Potential New Buyer - Help!
I am looking at a 2006 CLS500. Has approx. 75000miles and is super clean. I have a couple of questions.
I have researched and discovered a whole soap opera regarding the famous or infamous 722.9 7speed transmission, so the purchase price may have to come way down to deal with that potential can-of-worms. But I have another question.
I decoded the VIN and found this: "A29 J - VALVE BODY ASSEMBLY VGS 1 (550 NM)". Can anyone shed any light on what this might be? Just based on the English description, it looks like the valve body in the transmission, however I've seen way too many weird German>English descriptions that wound up being completely unrelated to what the thing really was.
Any and all help, warnings, suggestions, ideas and especial humor, greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Mike
I have researched and discovered a whole soap opera regarding the famous or infamous 722.9 7speed transmission, so the purchase price may have to come way down to deal with that potential can-of-worms. But I have another question.
I decoded the VIN and found this: "A29 J - VALVE BODY ASSEMBLY VGS 1 (550 NM)". Can anyone shed any light on what this might be? Just based on the English description, it looks like the valve body in the transmission, however I've seen way too many weird German>English descriptions that wound up being completely unrelated to what the thing really was.
Any and all help, warnings, suggestions, ideas and especial humor, greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Mike
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Joined: May 2019
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CLS 500
Dont walk away...run
The old rim is used as a safety. It had a crack that was welded. Now i know why it cracked...from the car dropping on it.
I am looking at a 2006 CLS500. Has approx. 75000miles and is super clean. I have a couple of questions.
I have researched and discovered a whole soap opera regarding the famous or infamous 722.9 7speed transmission, so the purchase price may have to come way down to deal with that potential can-of-worms. But I have another question.
I decoded the VIN and found this: "A29 J - VALVE BODY ASSEMBLY VGS 1 (550 NM)". Can anyone shed any light on what this might be? Just based on the English description, it looks like the valve body in the transmission, however I've seen way too many weird German>English descriptions that wound up being completely unrelated to what the thing really was.
Any and all help, warnings, suggestions, ideas and especial humor, greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Mike
I have researched and discovered a whole soap opera regarding the famous or infamous 722.9 7speed transmission, so the purchase price may have to come way down to deal with that potential can-of-worms. But I have another question.
I decoded the VIN and found this: "A29 J - VALVE BODY ASSEMBLY VGS 1 (550 NM)". Can anyone shed any light on what this might be? Just based on the English description, it looks like the valve body in the transmission, however I've seen way too many weird German>English descriptions that wound up being completely unrelated to what the thing really was.
Any and all help, warnings, suggestions, ideas and especial humor, greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Mike
Mike, I got a 2006 CLS500 2 WEEKS ago. It had 1 lug halfway holding the wheel on at a impound auction. Found out later all 4 remaining lug studs were broke off. After getting a new rim and tire I thought I was good to go. After 2 weeks and taking it to 115mph, I was exiting freeway when suddenly I thought I had a blowout on the new tire. Before I got pulled over to the shoulder it dropped and made a racket. I saw the new wheel off the hub. All 5 lug bolts were sheared off. What a dangerous design to have the studs not part of the hub. How many people have died from this? The forums are full of stories and pics. Here's mine.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 94
Likes: 13
From: The boonies of Idaho
2002 Mercedes Benz SL500
A friend of mine is the lead tech at the local Mercedes dealer and he told me that if you're going to buy anything with a 722.9 transmission, be sure it's VGS 2 or newer or service records covering a replacement of the original valve body. That seems to be the one that isn't going to randomly self-destruct.
Apparently, Mercedes quietly changed the valve body after dealing with all the complaints from the original (VGS 1). So, am looking at late '07 thru the end of the production run. I have also (upgraded?) my search to CLS63 AMG's.
If you look at my signature, you'll realize I need treatment. I have a German car problem....
Apparently, Mercedes quietly changed the valve body after dealing with all the complaints from the original (VGS 1). So, am looking at late '07 thru the end of the production run. I have also (upgraded?) my search to CLS63 AMG's.
If you look at my signature, you'll realize I need treatment. I have a German car problem....
