finman

2014 E550
no issues at all with shifting, smooth
4k miles

K-A

The one thing that the 7G has going for it is that it's so lousy in even proper-working trim, that even when one states that it's "working properly and smooth", it's still very noticeably and largely behind any ZF transmission (the "good thing" is that expectations are so low when one is acclimated to it). When I drive M-B's now, regardless of model, one of the first things that pop out is how dated and relatively weak the transmission feels, not to mention how lazy it feels, lacking in any kind of sporty attributes. It's just unreal that M-B has kept the 7G going for this long (about a decade now?), and keep saying they put "updated units" in models every few years, which perform exactly like the older units. There's no doubt that these "7G+" units are marketing driven improvements more than anything, at least that's how it feels when you drive them (which is what matters).

Everyone was expecting the 9G (which the jury is out on itself) on the 2015 S Class, and it STILL is anchored down by the 7G this coming year. Unacceptable, IMO.

SolidGranite

Ding! Ding! Ding!

Shocking to me that junk antiquated trans is STILL in the completely redesigned flagship. The 9g better be special.

K-A

Indeed! Very much indeed. 10-ish years with the same damn trans! And a trans that has been crap since the BEGINNING! Unbelievable that after 2 MY's, the W222 STILL has that anchor in it. It should've shipped in 2014 MY with the 9G, and the fact that it isn't in the 2015 S Class is astonishing.

I agree, the 9G better really be good. Otherwise M-B really would serve themselves to get the flawless ZF8 like so many others do, therefore saving themselves massive R&D's costs which they could put into so many other areas. I commend them on trying to make their own bespoke trans, but if it's crap, then it's crap, and it's crap. The way manufacturers could tune the ZF trans make them all feel very individual and different from each other, anyway. Even Lexus dropped their previous incredibly dated 6 Speed for an Aisin 8 Speed, and that's reportedly a very good transmission also. ZF of course being the benchmark, has already replaced their previous 8 Speed with an improved one on newer cars coming out (ZF8HP).

I drove a CLS550 somewhat recently, and the 7G felt like it was holding back the total drivetrain so much, like you can feel the TTV8 just sacrificing so much of its potential by having to be fed through that thing.

K-A

Well, oddly enough I just came across the second article about the 9G in the E that I've seen. This one, as well as the last one, state that it's still behind the current ZF 8 Speed (i.e the one used in current BMW's, never mind the all-new "ZF8HP" that is and will be shipping on the newest cars from manufacturers). It seems, via the reports, that M-B have released the 9G mostly in an effort to reduce MPG, i.e it's apparently no more sportier or snappier than the lethargic 7G. Not sure about refinement attributes, hopefully at least that's mended.

The transmission remarks here comes in the form of a comparison of the E vs the 5 Series.

http://translate.google.com/translat...zit&edit-text=

m0v30v3r

Actually I am very optimistic about new 9G Tronic. see below some very helpful info and a review


review
http://translate.google.com/translat...66%26bih%3D622


INFO
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2014...-9gtronic.html

SolidGranite

What does Audi use? Drove an A6 before buying my 550 and that trans felt snappy and refined. I walked away from that test drive thinking the 550 would be perfect if it had that transmission instead of the "7junk."

benyl

I don't know about the A6, RS6 uses the the ZF. The S6 has a dual clutch.

K-A

Yeah, it's the ZF8, just like BMW, etc. They tune it differently, and many say that BMW has it tuned the best, namely in relation to how their motors work, but I know of some BMW drivers and many others who claim that Audi in fact do implement the ZF8 the best of all.

Either way, the ZF trans is flawless, and clearly can be tuned to have different characters in different cars. I just think that if M-B can't nail the 9G, it should absolutely be time for them to throw in the towel and put that R&D money elsewhere. Fact is, consumers should get the best, without political aspects coming into play. The 10 year old POS 7G being in 2015's is simply unacceptable and forces drivers of M-B's to have subpar transmissions to just about any equal priced competitor nowadays (especially since most are using ZF), which at the end of the day, is all that really matters.

PeterUbers

update:

Car is still on the rack, waiting for parts: Valve body, clutch pack for 4th/5th gear, and a few other internals that he didn't elaborate on (svc manager).

Going on day 10 it's been in the shop, 500 miles on the odo, 2nd E550 (first one 100% bought back at 5000 miles for recurrent issues with the transmission).

PeterUbers

I couldn't agree with you more. The 9Gtronic is basically the 7G with a couple extra gears. A forum member posted an article on it, and it essentially says the 7G housing body was capable of having 2 more gears, and they are now implementing those. Also the body is all aluminum, lighter therefore, but not terribly different from the first gene pool.... that's not confidence inspiring if that's what they're going to use for... say... 10 more years?

SolidGranite

It's as if MB is forcing us into an AMG model to participate in any level of aggressiveness. Audi and BMW do it right in this regard. I think MB is leaving a giant void unfulfilled...

PeterUbers

Totally agreed... $80k should buy you plenty of performance, I know the 550i is not as sexy as the e550 but I bet it delivers more performance through that zf trans.

Not to mention that I think the v8 audi and bmw cars hold their values better than the e550 does

Munich77

I am not sure about the value bit - the S6 maybe but BMWs are aweful with resale. Plus based on the experience with my 2008 E60 535xi they really fall apart after 50 K miles.

What are you going to be replacing the car with Peter? An S6?

PeterUbers

I had a reflex to immediately replace the car with something equivalent but nothing at the price I paid is wowing me. Will likely drive our third car, a 2008 g35x and wait to see over the next couple years what comes out

If it wasn't for this 7g-chronic trans, this e550 is a brilliant machine and I think nothing matches it for the needs it met for me

Munich77

Sorry to hear that - I have been following your story closely as I am also the owner of an E550 (an 8/2013 production at that). While I have not experienced the problem thus far I am watching it closely. For the price, the E550 was the right car for me. I wanted a V8 AWD sedan. The BMW was out because of the my previous experience. The Audi was too expensive. The E550 just was the perfect combination.

I hope you find something you like - I think in that price range the Porsche Macan and Maserati Ghibli look interesting - but it all depends on people's needs.

Good luck!

K-A

For what it's worth, my 5 Series just crossed 15K miles, and has had less problems than any of my last 4 M-B's (i.e this is the first time in my last 4 cars that I have NOT had to go to the dealer for anything, except for an oil change). Best of all, the chassis of the 5 Series which is 30% more rigid than that of the W212 really shows it. Whereas my 2010 and 2011 E's became short of rattle traps and felt noticeably less "solid" after about 7-10K miles, my 5er feels like a tank in comparison, much of that is also felt in how vastly more solidly and smoothly it travels over rough roads (even with the benefit of a more supple, dynamic and superior handling ride, not to mention impressive considering its even larger 19" wheels and RFT's). Very different build quality compared to previous BMW's who didn't hold up as well as M-B's in the long term.

Sometimes cars just don't speak to you, which is understandable. Honestly, I couldn't recommend the new 5 Series enough. Best overall car I've driven to date, especially when price is factored in. My lease is already nearing maturity (short lease term) and I'm struggling on what to do, since I like to follow a rule of "force myself to try something different" after getting 2 W212's helped spoil the experience with that car for me. I just can't think of anything else near it, to my tastes, especially factoring in price.

The A6 is also a good car, but doesn't hit it on the luxury/solidity/refinement and styling aspects to me. But it drives very well. Just doesn't feel as "expensive" as the BMW or Mercedes.

PeterUbers

Thanks guys.

The 550i nicely appointment is significantly more than the $68 I negotiated my original (pre-tax) 550 for... the sticker on that E550 was $76,800, and the sticker on the new 550 was $77,960 or very close to that as it added the pano roof. I of course paid nothing to get into the new 550, mbusa took the $15,000 depreciation hit, and only made me pay for the pano roof (~$1k). Fair enough.

Will be talking to them today, I anticipated they'll option me two items: 1) keep my car and throw some "courtesy" money or "perks" my way, 2) give me my entire sum of cash back include all doc/destination/tax/title charges.

Thinking that I'm really just gunna drive the infiniti and see what happens to the car market. I feel that you either get really lucky (or are very non-sensitive) the 7g-chronic transmission, or you have problems and a) are aware of them and live with it b) like me fight it but not to the end... and ultimately deal with it.. c) fight it till you get a settlement.

Update soon

PeterUbers

Just discussed case with MBUSA -- the gentleman I spoke to will get in touch with regional manager this morning and make a decision by today. Still not definitive what they are going to offer me -- my car back and no other option, vs. my full money back.

KEY08

Did you pay cash or finance this car? In other words are you also looking at losing a great low interest rate as well?
Sorry, I didn't read through the novel to find this information and if you have already shared it.

PeterUbers

Paid cash

mbuster25

PeterUbers,
I hope they give you your money back for all that you've gone through - life is too short for this kind of stuff. Mercedes commecials are touting "The Best or Nothing" - during The Masters coverage. Now it's time for them to make things right in your situation.

shashivr4

Was speaking to my neighbor over the weekend about his BMW 550 and he was very displeased with it thus far. He said it was a very fun car to drive when it operated but he has had to have the fuel injectors and fuel pump replaced twice (for stalling in him) and it stalled on him a third time now. He has tried to get BMW to buy the car back from him with no luck. The dealer offered him $2,500 if he never came back for the same issue and agreed to never participate in any future Class Action lawsuits. He declined.

Any suggestions that I can take back to him? Thanks.

Munich77

Get rid of the car and try to lemon it. BMW is a total pain in the ***. Mine had 4 sets of injectors, four fuel pumps and thousands of other repairs - all before 75K. BMWs in my experience do not age well.

shashivr4

Was it a 550? If so, what year?