How common/scary are issues with early 722.9 transmissions?
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Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 30
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2000 ML55 (current), 2002 C32 (current), 2001 E55 (deceased)
How common/scary are issues with early 722.9 transmissions?
Some jerk hit me and totaled my w210. Looks like I'm going to use the insurance check on a w211. Most likely a 90k mile, 2005 E500.
I'm looking at two such cars. Both are in cities 3 hours away. I haven't seen either in person yet but had both inspected by local mechanics in their respective cities. Those inspections didn't reveal anything scary and there was no mention of any transmission issues or concerns.
Then, today, I discussed the cars with my local indy MB mechanic and he expressed major reservations regarding the early 722.9 transmissions.
I did some searching and, while I can find some mention of issues with the 722.9, they don't seem as common as I would have guessed based on the conversation with my mechanic.
What do you think? Is he being overly-dramatic? Are issues with these transmission more common than I realize? If you had to guess, what do you think is the probability I'll need major (i.e. over $1k transmission work) in the next 3 years / 20k miles (I don't drive a ton)?
I'm looking at two such cars. Both are in cities 3 hours away. I haven't seen either in person yet but had both inspected by local mechanics in their respective cities. Those inspections didn't reveal anything scary and there was no mention of any transmission issues or concerns.
Then, today, I discussed the cars with my local indy MB mechanic and he expressed major reservations regarding the early 722.9 transmissions.
I did some searching and, while I can find some mention of issues with the 722.9, they don't seem as common as I would have guessed based on the conversation with my mechanic.
What do you think? Is he being overly-dramatic? Are issues with these transmission more common than I realize? If you had to guess, what do you think is the probability I'll need major (i.e. over $1k transmission work) in the next 3 years / 20k miles (I don't drive a ton)?
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2020
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w211 e500
I wouldn't be too worried. I've owned 2 e320s and my current e500, both my e320s had well over 200xxxkm and one was even rolled back (I knew due to the condition of the leather) and no issues whatsoever with the tranny's or even engines for that matter. You'll read everywhere that the engines/tranny's are bullet proof.
Only issue I've ever seen was my friends e55, the cooling line in his car was cracked and that's what kept the transmission blowing and he took it to a different mechanic who seen and fixed the problem right Away.
I wouldn't be worried if it is indeed a clean car and has a clean car fax
Only issue I've ever seen was my friends e55, the cooling line in his car was cracked and that's what kept the transmission blowing and he took it to a different mechanic who seen and fixed the problem right Away.
I wouldn't be worried if it is indeed a clean car and has a clean car fax
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Joined: Feb 2014
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
Well when they fail, you usually just need to replace the conductor plate. There are places that will also rebuild your old one for you for a few hundred, you just need to send it to them for it to be rebuilt so at least you're not paying thousands for a new transmission. I'd at least check to see if the fluid was changed, supposed to do it at about every 39k.
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Mercedes-Benz S430, S500, S600, and E320 CDI
No, your mechanic is not being overly dramatic, unfortunately. I avoid the 722.9's like the Bubonic Plague. Seen enough failures with them, at least the earlier ones. Just *one* example: a guy came asking me for help with his '08 C300. Nice young fellow. Car wouldn't shift past 4th gear. Turns out there were metal shavings in the pan. That transmission was toast. This is apparently not so uncommon with the earlier 722.9's. Whereas, even a somewhat-abused 722.6 will generally hold together better.
As for the conductor plate, you can do the swap that cetialpha5 talks about on a 722.6. I've done several, and it's not a difficult DIY. Unfortunately, with the 722.9, the transmission became a "Theft Relevant Part", so you have to go to the Stealership to get one re-programmed for your car. Yes, there are places that will rebuild those 722.9 conductor plates for you, but your car's out of commission while you're waiting for it to come back. Not so with a 722.6; you can order the part, at least get to work and back with your car even if you're stuck in second gear, and replace it yourself when it arrives.
If you want the best chance at a durable drivetrain, then I'd go with either an E320 or E500, 2004 to 2005. The M112 and M113 engines are super-reliable, and the '04's and '05's have the 722.6 transmission. A 2006 E320 CDI, also with the 5-speed, is another good choice if you run across one.
As for the conductor plate, you can do the swap that cetialpha5 talks about on a 722.6. I've done several, and it's not a difficult DIY. Unfortunately, with the 722.9, the transmission became a "Theft Relevant Part", so you have to go to the Stealership to get one re-programmed for your car. Yes, there are places that will rebuild those 722.9 conductor plates for you, but your car's out of commission while you're waiting for it to come back. Not so with a 722.6; you can order the part, at least get to work and back with your car even if you're stuck in second gear, and replace it yourself when it arrives.
If you want the best chance at a durable drivetrain, then I'd go with either an E320 or E500, 2004 to 2005. The M112 and M113 engines are super-reliable, and the '04's and '05's have the 722.6 transmission. A 2006 E320 CDI, also with the 5-speed, is another good choice if you run across one.
Last edited by cowboyt; Apr 3, 2020 at 10:56 AM.
Member
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2012 E350 4Matic
Post-facelift, 4Matic cars still had the 722.6 5-speed transmission. I would also look at an 08 or 09 E350 or E550 4Matic. The post-facelift cars don't have the SBC brakes to deal with, and a lot of changes were made to address reliability issues in the early cars. Just stay away from 06-07 due to balance shaft/gear issues.
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2000 ML55 (current), 2002 C32 (current), 2001 E55 (deceased)
Thanks for all the feedback! What can be done to minimize the risk of encountering problems with an early 722.9 transmission when purchasing a used car?
Seller has provided receipts showing transmission has been regularly serviced. And it seemed fine during test drive. But since there's no dipstick on the w211 I can't inspect the fluid.
Short of dropping the transmission pan, is there anything else I can do (besides buying a different car with different transmission)?
Seller has provided receipts showing transmission has been regularly serviced. And it seemed fine during test drive. But since there's no dipstick on the w211 I can't inspect the fluid.
Short of dropping the transmission pan, is there anything else I can do (besides buying a different car with different transmission)?
Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 208
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2012 E350 4Matic
Sounds like the seller has done everything that should be done to minimize the risk of problems. Proper maintenance and sensible driving is about all you can do to minimize the risk of transmission issues.
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Joined: Jul 2013
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From: Cedar Rapids, IA
2009 e550 4Matic
genuinely curious, how much are you looking to spend? The post facelift cars are seriously where its at IMO. And as stated, the 4matic cars still have the 722.6. I've got an 09 e550 and its by far my most favorite car I have ever owned. Longest I've ever kept a car!
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
2000 ML55 (current), 2002 C32 (current), 2001 E55 (deceased)
genuinely curious, how much are you looking to spend? The post facelift cars are seriously where its at IMO. And as stated, the 4matic cars still have the 722.6. I've got an 09 e550 and its by far my most favorite car I have ever owned. Longest I've ever kept a car!
Given everything that's going on I'm trying to keep my spend within the insurance check. And, if I go w211, try to keep some of the check set aside for when the Airmatic goes.
That means that a w211 E55 is way out of my budget and even the post-facelifts E550 are out unless I want a high mileage or beat up one.
The E500 seems pretty sensible but it doesn't excite me like the E55 so maybe I'll just hang on to my money for now. I've not another car so I'm not in a big rush.
I guess I could look at 4matics. I haven't been looking because I have no need as I'm in Texas and I hear gas mileage suffers. But maybe I should consider them for the 722.6.
Last edited by tjc4; Apr 6, 2020 at 01:01 AM.
