CLS Transmissions
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 21
Likes: 1
From: Oregon
2010 MB E-550
CLS Transmissions
Hello!!...
I made a query over on the General Discussion site and all I heard were crickets chirping. So I'm hoping that the Tech site will cut me a break. I've become enamored with the CLS, and I'm checking a few details before I jump ( I've had four Jags and have had some real surprises) in and purchase one. My main concern is the transmission. The Tranny in my S Type R was bad enough. And "sealed for life" transmissions are fine if your only keeping your car for two or three years. I've noticed various threads concerning "valve bodies" and erratic shifting. I also noticed that they changed engines quickly from the 5.0 to 5.5, did they do anything for the transmissions? If so, in what MY did they address this issue? I realize that this is not a complicated question, so I hope I didn't waste a good technicians valuable time. I just want to make an informed decision as to the correct MY'd vehicle to buy. I'm also assuming that the AMG has the same tranny, but a larger displacement engine.
Thank you got your time
Fred
I made a query over on the General Discussion site and all I heard were crickets chirping. So I'm hoping that the Tech site will cut me a break. I've become enamored with the CLS, and I'm checking a few details before I jump ( I've had four Jags and have had some real surprises) in and purchase one. My main concern is the transmission. The Tranny in my S Type R was bad enough. And "sealed for life" transmissions are fine if your only keeping your car for two or three years. I've noticed various threads concerning "valve bodies" and erratic shifting. I also noticed that they changed engines quickly from the 5.0 to 5.5, did they do anything for the transmissions? If so, in what MY did they address this issue? I realize that this is not a complicated question, so I hope I didn't waste a good technicians valuable time. I just want to make an informed decision as to the correct MY'd vehicle to buy. I'm also assuming that the AMG has the same tranny, but a larger displacement engine.
Thank you got your time
Fred
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,152
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From: Sydney, Australia
190D 2.5 (x2), 190E 2.6, W202 C240,W202 C43 (C55), W210 E55, W212 E250CDI
The gearbox you had the the Jag was a ZF gearbox where as Mercedes develop and manufacture their own gearboxes as they have for many years. They have alot more incentive to make sure their gearboxes are as good as they can make them.
For the number that are out there vs the number of issues they are very very reliable. They are currently used in almost every RWD and AWD passenger car, suv and van mercedes currently produce. They do have a service interval, they recommend a oil change at 60k kms/35k mi (varies between markets) and only commercial vehicles again every 120k kms/70k mi. Personally I suggest changing oil and filter every 60k kms for the average driver.
Valve body issues are usually 1 off issues rather than common to a range of cars these days as the 7spd gearbox has been in production since approx 2003. There were some early issues with circlips incside the gearbox and software issues when the M272 and M273 engines where released. These issues have been rectified since.
For the number that are out there vs the number of issues they are very very reliable. They are currently used in almost every RWD and AWD passenger car, suv and van mercedes currently produce. They do have a service interval, they recommend a oil change at 60k kms/35k mi (varies between markets) and only commercial vehicles again every 120k kms/70k mi. Personally I suggest changing oil and filter every 60k kms for the average driver.
Valve body issues are usually 1 off issues rather than common to a range of cars these days as the 7spd gearbox has been in production since approx 2003. There were some early issues with circlips incside the gearbox and software issues when the M272 and M273 engines where released. These issues have been rectified since.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 21
Likes: 1
From: Oregon
2010 MB E-550
The gearbox you had the the Jag was a ZF gearbox where as Mercedes develop and manufacture their own gearboxes as they have for many years. They have alot more incentive to make sure their gearboxes are as good as they can make them.
For the number that are out there vs the number of issues they are very very reliable. They are currently used in almost every RWD and AWD passenger car, suv and van mercedes currently produce. They do have a service interval, they recommend a oil change at 60k kms/35k mi (varies between markets) and only commercial vehicles again every 120k kms/70k mi. Personally I suggest changing oil and filter every 60k kms for the average driver.
Valve body issues are usually 1 off issues rather than common to a range of cars these days as the 7spd gearbox has been in production since approx 2003. There were some early issues with circlips incside the gearbox and software issues when the M272 and M273 engines where released. These issues have been rectified since.
For the number that are out there vs the number of issues they are very very reliable. They are currently used in almost every RWD and AWD passenger car, suv and van mercedes currently produce. They do have a service interval, they recommend a oil change at 60k kms/35k mi (varies between markets) and only commercial vehicles again every 120k kms/70k mi. Personally I suggest changing oil and filter every 60k kms for the average driver.
Valve body issues are usually 1 off issues rather than common to a range of cars these days as the 7spd gearbox has been in production since approx 2003. There were some early issues with circlips incside the gearbox and software issues when the M272 and M273 engines where released. These issues have been rectified since.
Thank you Sir for your reply.
The "Grearbox" was my biggest concern. Most all cars will develop some little hiccup as the miles pile on, but a $7000 dollar transmission is a little difficult to swallow. And I wouldn't think that a well maintained MB with over 100,000 on the clock would be too much of a hassle. It just depends on how well the previous owner took care of her... And yes... Jag has the ZF... I think I liked them better when they had a heavy duty GM tranny in them (I had a 89 XJS with the 12 cylinder Boat Anchor) Thank you again Ausmbtech for taking the time to give me a welcomed block of instruction. Take Care
Fred
