Transmission failure 99 ML430 w/ 56,000 miles???
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 174
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio, Tx
2008 S550 designo
Transmission failure 99 ML430 w/ 56,000 miles???
My sister has a 99 ML430 with 56,000 miles and is being told by Mercedes of San Antonio she needs a new transmission at a cost of $6500. Is this a common failure among these vehicles? The dealer says they have seen only one failure before.
Since the car is out of warranty, is there any chance of getting Mercedes to split the bill?
Thanks for any info.
tw
Since the car is out of warranty, is there any chance of getting Mercedes to split the bill?
Thanks for any info.
tw
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 563
Likes: 0
From: Wash., D.C.
C280
Originally Posted by Trey
My sister has a 99 ML430 with 56,000 miles and is being told by Mercedes of San Antonio she needs a new transmission at a cost of $6500. Is this a common failure among these vehicles? The dealer says they have seen only one failure before.
Since the car is out of warranty, is there any chance of getting Mercedes to split the bill?
Thanks for any info.
tw
Since the car is out of warranty, is there any chance of getting Mercedes to split the bill?
Thanks for any info.
tw
I would get a second opinion...my 1998 C280 was shifting hard, then went into limp mode. It needed a new control unit. It was "starmarked" so I don't know how much it would have cost. I had about 60k on the car, but like I said, these transmissions don't seem to last long.
It's a cash crop for Mercedes and the dealers. I do like my C280...I don't want to sell it once the warranty is up. But, reading horror stories like your message, makes me think twice. If I keep my car past it's warranty, I'll will put away I nice "nest egg" of cash for emergency repairs. I'm already looking for an independent shop to do future work, which I hope never happens (knock on wood).
Hey, do a few google searches and see if anyone was successful. When did the warranty expire? It won't hurt to call MB and ***** at them a little.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Clarendon Hills, IL
1999 Kleemann ML43K
Originally Posted by Trey
My sister has a 99 ML430 with 56,000 miles and is being told by Mercedes of San Antonio she needs a new transmission at a cost of $6500. Is this a common failure among these vehicles? The dealer says they have seen only one failure before.
Since the car is out of warranty, is there any chance of getting Mercedes to split the bill?
Thanks for any info.
tw
Since the car is out of warranty, is there any chance of getting Mercedes to split the bill?
Thanks for any info.
tw
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 174
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio, Tx
2008 S550 designo
Originally Posted by LOCHS 2
What were the driveability issues that brought your sister to the dealership?
Mercedes called her back today and offered NOTHING. No rental, no discount, nothing. They said no used or rebuilt trannys are available. I have my indy mechanic checking also. Hopefully these trannys aren't built like the POS fuel pumps, which was replaced 4 times under wannanty and is whining to this day.
I'll post followups to let you know what happens... There may be a really nice, well cared for 99 ML430 for sale soon in San Antonio with a new transmission.
Thanks for the advice.
tw
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 174
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio, Tx
2008 S550 designo
Here we are 3 years later and I just realized I never replied as to the outcome of this. MBUSA agreed to cover the majority of the rebuild. They paid all labor and my sister paid parts. Total out of pocket was about $1500. The car now has 88,000 miles and still shifts like new.
tw
tw
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 4,781
Likes: 3
From: Boston
'05 A4 1.8TQM6
Awesome outcome! A suggestion, change the fluids when it has around 60k miles on it. My parent's '99 ML430 shifting was more noticible, such as a slight jerk or just rougher in general. After changing the fluids (about $200), it shifted much better, like new, nice and smooth. Its cheap insurance to keep it going. MB says the fluid is "lifetime"...when that transmission fails at 56k, the fluid's lifetime in there is 56k miles 
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,681
Likes: 2
From: SF
07 E63 06 CLK55 Cab 03 P-car C4S
that's great news...how did you get MB to agree to that? or was it because the mileage and yrs was only slightly past the warranty time period?
in 1999, i had a 1990 Q45 w/ 150k miles that was going strong and the service advisors persuaded me to spend $1500 getting all the belts done and tuned up because the engine could go 200k+ miles easily...then the transmission froze and the infiniti dealer wanted $6500 to replace...i ended up donating the car. the svc advisor was correct on the engine, but he surely didn't disclose that i could waste the $1500 if the transmission went out(and it was quite common).
in 1999, i had a 1990 Q45 w/ 150k miles that was going strong and the service advisors persuaded me to spend $1500 getting all the belts done and tuned up because the engine could go 200k+ miles easily...then the transmission froze and the infiniti dealer wanted $6500 to replace...i ended up donating the car. the svc advisor was correct on the engine, but he surely didn't disclose that i could waste the $1500 if the transmission went out(and it was quite common).
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 174
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio, Tx
2008 S550 designo
that's great news...how did you get MB to agree to that? or was it because the mileage and yrs was only slightly past the warranty time period?
in 1999, i had a 1990 Q45 w/ 150k miles that was going strong and the service advisors persuaded me to spend $1500 getting all the belts done and tuned up because the engine could go 200k+ miles easily...then the transmission froze and the infiniti dealer wanted $6500 to replace...i ended up donating the car. the svc advisor was correct on the engine, but he surely didn't disclose that i could waste the $1500 if the transmission went out(and it was quite common).
in 1999, i had a 1990 Q45 w/ 150k miles that was going strong and the service advisors persuaded me to spend $1500 getting all the belts done and tuned up because the engine could go 200k+ miles easily...then the transmission froze and the infiniti dealer wanted $6500 to replace...i ended up donating the car. the svc advisor was correct on the engine, but he surely didn't disclose that i could waste the $1500 if the transmission went out(and it was quite common).
trey
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 14,212
Likes: 9
From: Boston, MA
00 MB ML55, 91 Toyota Supra Turbo(sold), 06 E500(gone), 03 BMW M3
Awesome outcome! A suggestion, change the fluids when it has around 60k miles on it. My parent's '99 ML430 shifting was more noticible, such as a slight jerk or just rougher in general. After changing the fluids (about $200), it shifted much better, like new, nice and smooth. Its cheap insurance to keep it going. MB says the fluid is "lifetime"...when that transmission fails at 56k, the fluid's lifetime in there is 56k miles
