M-Class (W164) Produced 2006-2011: ML280CDI, ML320CDI, ML420CDI, ML350, ML500, ML550

Anyone experiencing problems with W164 (08 ML550 Transmission)

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Old Apr 18, 2012 | 01:08 AM
  #1  
2008ml550_0104's Avatar
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From: Barrington Hills IL
08' ML550, ML 63, E55, and 2019 S63, 19’ Porsche 991 911 Speedster
Anyone experiencing problems with W164 (08 ML550 Transmission)

Hi- I have been experiencing problems with my 08' ML 550 transmission. Here are the problems listed:
-Mornings; wild noises coming from trans after cold start, start up for about 5-10 minutes every morning, hard shifts from 1st to 2nd, and more noticebaly from 2nd to 3rd (wants to exhagerate shift, and jam into gear there)
-Downshifts and standard driving mode after 15 minutes of driving shifts from all gears become more pronounced and seem to demand something.
-Have an extended warranty
-Has 42890k miles on it
-Has had Valve body replaced
-Been into service: MOST IMPORTANT PART-- Had shop foreman drive it, and told them that based on my research on this forum and website, Valve body was problem, and needed to be looked into. Took three or more weeks before I got word back it was going to be replaced... Got it back and shifting problem was even more pronoucned.

My wife is yelling at me to take it back. Why am I having so many problems with this transmission?

Please note *** I am looking for simple answers, not complex ones with opinions..

What are your recommenations, for simplifying this for my dealer: Motorwerks of Barrington IL

Thanks
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Old Apr 18, 2012 | 10:04 AM
  #2  
2008ml550_0104's Avatar
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From: Barrington Hills IL
08' ML550, ML 63, E55, and 2019 S63, 19’ Porsche 991 911 Speedster
Originally Posted by light8008
You can check your transmission fluid level, if the level is fine, you can check fluid condition, color,etc. or change the transmission fluid and fluid filter. If still have the problem, I think you should replace the transmission.
uobd2.com

thanks. had the transmission flushed, and filter replaced at 39k per mercedes recommendation. no one mentioned to me what color the fluid was, or if it smelled burnt. i think you're right, time to get trans replaced. thats why i have a warranty. will have to tell dealer that.
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Old Apr 18, 2012 | 12:05 PM
  #3  
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From: SoCal
'03 A4 2.0 Stroker, '14 E63 S AMG, '10 E550, '10 S550, '03 C240
Have the EXACT car and the SAME problems.

My dealer fixed my rough shifts from 1st to 2nd(it was two broken clips that attach to the shift solenoids and the Torque converter).

However, now I have a different problem lol, when I slow down(say for a stop light and it immediately turns green) and I begin to depress the pedal while it's in 3rd or 4th, the transmission jerks the whole car. I have to ease into the gas VERY lightly for it to not jerk.

I'm fed up with these problems to be honest. Also, people say their ML's are super quiet on the highways, mine sounds like a toyota with the amount of wind noise it has.
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Old May 3, 2012 | 10:06 AM
  #4  
B-tsai's Avatar
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My 08 developed a super jerk when it accelerates from slowdown now too.
32k miles. 2 days left on warranty lol.

In for diagnostics tomorrow. I hope they replace everything
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Old May 3, 2012 | 12:41 PM
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Originally Posted by B-tsai
My 08 developed a super jerk when it accelerates from slowdown now too.
32k miles. 2 days left on warranty lol.

In for diagnostics tomorrow. I hope they replace everything
If they don't replace anything just make sure you've got your complaints./concerns documented...it may come in handy later.
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Old May 3, 2012 | 01:59 PM
  #6  
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Originally Posted by B-tsai
My 08 developed a super jerk when it accelerates from slowdown now too.
32k miles. 2 days left on warranty lol.

In for diagnostics tomorrow. I hope they replace everything
ask for the latest version software for ECU & TCU ...usually, they don't check it every time but if you complain enough, they can look it harder ...

also, be sure that you replaced at least once transmission fluid (usually on 40k miles) ...

after all, don't expect miracle
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Old May 4, 2012 | 01:13 PM
  #7  
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ML550
Zero issues with my '08 ML550, 56K miles. Transmission has been / is flawless, but still glad I bought a 7 yr. CPO warranty when I bought the vehicle. ML550 has been the best MB I've owned yet.
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Old May 4, 2012 | 09:23 PM
  #8  
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From: Woodstock, IL
His 2019 RAM Cummins Turbo Diesel Laramie; Her's 2007 ML320 CDI P3; Mine BMW R1200R
2008ML550,
Motorwerks also replaced my transmission. After that was done, they had to set the"Adaptations". Basically setting the shift points via laptop for all operating conditions. It's been flawless ever since.
The best thing in your post is "I have an extended warranty" My tranny completely failed and the car would not past go with 2000 miles left on my extended warranty.
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Old Jun 6, 2012 | 03:55 AM
  #9  
surfway's Avatar
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ML 320CDI
Transfer case problem

In my ML320CDI the transfer case chain has become stretched and loose and is jumping teeth (170k). Try and get a new chain, they want to sell a new transfer case at $8000 when a $250 chain will fix the problem.
Can't find one in Australia, anyone know of one anywhere else.
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Old Jun 6, 2012 | 07:59 AM
  #10  
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X350d GLE500e 2017, ML350 BlueTec 2012(sold), A200 2013, ML350CDI 2009(sold), Aston Martin DB7 2003
Surfway, no promises but have you tried Australian Transmission Components in Wagga?
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Old Jun 6, 2012 | 07:45 PM
  #11  
surfway's Avatar
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ML 320CDI
Transfer Case problem

They do not have anything recent, just the pre 2005 ML W163 stuff, seems that no one is expecting problems with the transfer case on the W164 as yet. Has anyone else done 170k yet in there ML320CDI?

Originally Posted by iankayem
Surfway, no promises but have you tried Australian Transmission Components in Wagga?
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