S-Class (W222) 2014-2020

Tranny trouble?

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Old 04-18-2018, 07:47 PM
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2016 S550 4 Matic Sport, 2015 BMW 528xi, 2012 BMW 528xi (gone), 2011 BMW Z4 (Yellow - gone)
Tranny trouble?

So, I brought my 2016. CPO in for its first local visit/check up at the dealership to update the gps. I had them check the heated windshield, was fine, and they saw no issues with the ABC. Adviser said sometimes a computer glitch...the interesting part? Adviser said they didn’t like how it was shifting on test drive (I thought was fine) so they ordered a transmission valve. That was I think Monday or Tuesday, tomorrow will be 4 days without my cream puff. When part comes they have to disassemble and rebuild transmission.
i thanked him for his diligence, but can’t help wonder if this is even necessary or just increasing profit with my warranty.
no cost to me, and dealership provided a rental car at no cost to me (2018 Audi A6, decent car and spunky in general, but no S550!)
anyone ever hear of the transmission valve body (I think those terms) going on an under 3 yea old car?
thanks!
Old 04-18-2018, 09:09 PM
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Originally Posted by garygnu
So, I brought my 2016. CPO in for its first local visit/check up at the dealership to update the gps. I had them check the heated windshield, was fine, and they saw no issues with the ABC. Adviser said sometimes a computer glitch...the interesting part? Adviser said they didn’t like how it was shifting on test drive (I thought was fine) so they ordered a transmission valve. That was I think Monday or Tuesday, tomorrow will be 4 days without my cream puff. When part comes they have to disassemble and rebuild transmission.
i thanked him for his diligence, but can’t help wonder if this is even necessary or just increasing profit with my warranty.
no cost to me, and dealership provided a rental car at no cost to me (2018 Audi A6, decent car and spunky in general, but no S550!)
anyone ever hear of the transmission valve body (I think those terms) going on an under 3 yea old car?
thanks!
i believe there have been many reports of transmission issues on our pre-facelift w222s. I don’t recall which year but they switched from a 7 speed to 9 speed (maybe in 2017?) and there have been a lot of reports that it has fixed the issues. I’ve had so,e odd shift occur under 40 mph when load changes and RPMs are 1500-3000 (like it can’t decide which gear to be in so it bounces between 2 through 5... The dealer has been unable to reproduce the issues even on a ride along with me for 45 minutes!
Old 04-18-2018, 09:47 PM
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2016 S550 4 Matic Sport, 2015 BMW 528xi, 2012 BMW 528xi (gone), 2011 BMW Z4 (Yellow - gone)
Thanks, I wasn’t aware. Yes, I think 2017 was the intro of the 9 speed. Pers9nalky I think my 2016 was buttery smooth. Maybe it will be even better, or maybe they caught something. I wish they caught the ABC issue I had, but glad if there is a real issue it’s being taken care of!
Old 04-18-2018, 10:06 PM
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Yes there have some been some issues, I was getting a rough 2 to 3rd shift when cold on my 2015 and then sometimes it would downshift harsh from 4 to 3, not often but not normal. Dealer reflashed the ECM recently and seems somewhat better, I do still not the rough shift though when cold although not as bad. Maybe the solenoid your referring to is the Pulse Width Modulator, PWM, I know there was a lot of troubles with these on the 221s.
Old 04-21-2018, 09:35 AM
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Minor update, they replac d the valve body but still not to their satisfaction, “adaptations” not staying as they should. Complete transmission rebuild, won’t have car for a while. And I never noticed or complained about transmission. Since being done by Benz, can I feel confident will be great, or is any major “surgery” subject to risks? Thanks!
Old 04-21-2018, 10:12 AM
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Confirms my thoughts around getting the ELW from MB. Will start shopping for mine next month as my factory warranty is up in June.
Old 04-21-2018, 10:26 AM
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Originally Posted by superpop
Confirms my thoughts around getting the ELW from MB. Will start shopping for mine next month as my factory warranty is up in June.
I would NEVER own one of these cars without a warranty. I think I read an S has over 130 electric motors in it (I counted about 85, but I’m not sure which are motor, and which are solenoids). That’s a lot of little things to break, let alone the big things...
Old 04-27-2018, 07:50 AM
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minor update - STILL don't have my car back. apparently the transmission valve body wasn't the problem, and per service contact the "adaptations" weren't staying - i read online that the benz tranny will "adapt" for wear, etc. and then you have to clear them if you rebuild.
upshot - he felt the clutch pack was no good, they ordered parts from Germany to repair, should be in tomorrow, and we'll see when i get it back - monday will be 2 weeks.
i saw TONS of aftermarket clutch packs (apparently it's a "thing" - i guess racing spec clutch packs go for $3,500 with lesser ones for about half, and i have no idea what benz oem packs would otherwise go for.
I contacted a sales rep i did not buy from - if i wanted out of the CPO and into a new one i'd have to do it the hard way - add another week and i MIGHT have lemon law options or i could contact MB regional, etc.
before the tranny, i loved my car - though i did experience some computer/system glitches one night that are hopefully one-off.
i'd not have considered a new car after my CPO until i read on the forums that some folks feel the 2018 is VASTLY improved.
car was first put in service october, 2015 so even though it's a 2016 it's less than 3 years old, 29k miles, still under original warranty, let alone CPO warranty.
Anyway, that's the gnus report!
Old 04-27-2018, 07:58 AM
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youll be fine just annoying to be without the car. you bought this car from a mercedes dealer?
Old 04-27-2018, 08:08 AM
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Just wanted to chime and assure garygnu that you are not alone with the transmission issues. I experienced similar problems in my 2015, and despite several trips to service for correction, the rough shifting could not be resolved. Eventually it was determined that a new transmission would need to be installed. Not sure if being in Atlanta and a customer of what will soon become MBUSA's flagship dealership had anything to do with the decision, but if you continue to have problems, I would push for a complete replacement as well. I too was concerned with how my vehicle would operate after the fact; however, I must say that things seem to be good as new. That being said, my '18 S560 should be here in a week or two, so hopefully whomever purchases my '15 will enjoy the fresh transmission for years to come! Good luck with your car!
Old 04-27-2018, 10:07 AM
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thanks both - i bought the car from a mercedes dealership in oregon and paid to have it shipped to me in NJ. i still have plenty of miles on time on original warranty, and have 3 years of extended unlimited miles on the extended. i'm thinking at the end of the day i'd like a new transmission but that doesn't seem likely - i question whether "rebuilding" a transmission is as good as a factory assembled one - my vote is factory is superior - but i can be wrong. i didn't experience any issues with the transmission and brought the car in to update the GPS software and check out a couple of other things - they did the transmission on their end (didn't ask me, but then, this isn't like surgery where they need informed consent!)
i was perfectly happy with my 2016 though streamliner and others have said the 2018's are VASTLY improved - the driver systems, etc.
if i want out of the car it would probably cost me $10k plus - if i'm miserable enough i'll do it, but i think i'll be fine.
thanks for the replies!

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