Transmission issues with R500
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 78
Likes: 8
From: Bay Area, CA & Miami Beach
2005 SL500, 2015 GLK350 & S63, 2020 C63 & G63 and 2021 GLC63
Transmission issues with R500
I purchased new R500 in Sept 07. I just love the car and the V8 power. But unfortunately I have had issues with 3-2 and 2-1 downshift in the 7 speed transmission. The car randomly gives a jerk / jolt and it is very frustrating. I have SL500 with the same transmission and it works great. MB dealer reset the software 3 times between Nov 07 and Sept 08 and couldn't pick up the problem on test drives. I took it to another dealer and they could feel it as well and now have replaced valve in the transmission - electrical fault.
It drove fine for the past 3-4 days and now the problem seems to be coming back. Jolts are minor but very much there. Sometimes, car seems to be stuck in 3rd gear and reluctant to move to 2 or 1.
Has anyone had similar issues ? I spoke to a lemon lawyer and he is ready to send notice to MB to take the car back. I am wondering if I should speak to MB first or go through the attorney. Attorney advises to not take the car in for a check/test as they will certify as fine after test drive and then nothing can be done.
Please advise if any of you had similar problems. Also has any of you returned a car to MB ?
It drove fine for the past 3-4 days and now the problem seems to be coming back. Jolts are minor but very much there. Sometimes, car seems to be stuck in 3rd gear and reluctant to move to 2 or 1.
Has anyone had similar issues ? I spoke to a lemon lawyer and he is ready to send notice to MB to take the car back. I am wondering if I should speak to MB first or go through the attorney. Attorney advises to not take the car in for a check/test as they will certify as fine after test drive and then nothing can be done.
Please advise if any of you had similar problems. Also has any of you returned a car to MB ?
Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, Texas
R350 4-matic
There is a thread either here or at benzworld that discuss that issue sometime last year. There is also info on a TSB for that exact problem. I believe the poster also had a 500, and has had no problems since.
Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
From: Montclair, NJ
12 E550
Yes search the forum. I had similar issues. After many calls to Customer Service and telling them that I will file lemon law claim they finally "approved" the repair. You will most probably need a new valve body and on mine they had to replace one of the clutches. No issues since then. Software updates are BS
Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 228
Likes: 3
From: california
X166, 997
my r500 does the same
but I always thought it was normal...i mean, when I drive a manual transmissin, and put it into 1st gear, when it goes into gear, you get the slow down...isn't that normal?
Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
From: Montclair, NJ
12 E550
In general the 7 speed is not as smooth as ZF trannys found on Audi or BMW. So slight jerks here and there are typical for this gearbox. But the really harsh shifts jerks etc are not normal. I also had an issue that when I put the car manually on 1st gear and hold it I would get a sudden surge of power at about 1800 rpm. Now it is pretty dar smooth after the valve body and clutch. Hopefully it will stay this way.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 78
Likes: 8
From: Bay Area, CA & Miami Beach
2005 SL500, 2015 GLK350 & S63, 2020 C63 & G63 and 2021 GLC63
They did change the valve body and still a big jerk is very much there. I have asked MB to take the car back or my lawyer is ready with a lemon law claim. The car was @ MB dealer today for evaluation and it jerked while the head mechanic was test driving too. MB rep will give the final verdict tomorrow. They have a new update to the valve body and I refused further repair to the car.
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Newbie
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 6
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R350
Nice move, I would probably have done the same. I do feel that I have a transmission problem on my 08 r350 except the fact that it's not as easily detectable.. It's very frustrating for the quality n the name I was expecting from mercedes.
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 78
Likes: 8
From: Bay Area, CA & Miami Beach
2005 SL500, 2015 GLK350 & S63, 2020 C63 & G63 and 2021 GLC63
MB will give me an offer this week about the buyback. I got 2 different explanations from different departments for the problem: One is that they put valve body from a sedan into the R and the other version is they have an updated part now. Either way I have refused repairs and want them to take the car back. Also I have now heard that 7 speed is tricky in some cars. I have just seen the same problem in S550 forum as well.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 574
Likes: 2
From: Pennsylvania, USA
2011 GL450, '06 R500 traded, '08 ML350 sold
I had my new to me 2006 R500 (purchased last January) serviced for the same problem a couple of weeks ago. They first updated the software and that didn't fix the random jerking issue so they then replaced the valve body and then they reset/re-trained the shift points. They kept the car a total of three business days so that they have ample time to test drive it. The car now shifts as it should be. I have driven it for about 500 miles and the jerk has not reappeared.
I have read in many forums that the problem is typical to the R500 and the fix is just that, the replacement of the valve body. The service adviser said that there is plenty of documentation on the issue from MB. I would suggest going to a different MB dealer.
IMHO you should not refuse any repairs unless of course they give you a very good price for the car and you trade it.
I have read in many forums that the problem is typical to the R500 and the fix is just that, the replacement of the valve body. The service adviser said that there is plenty of documentation on the issue from MB. I would suggest going to a different MB dealer.
IMHO you should not refuse any repairs unless of course they give you a very good price for the car and you trade it.
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
R350
2009 R 350 noise/vibration at 2000rpm
I just leased a R350 and only had 400 miles. My R 350 vibrates and had a rough ride while driving at around 2000 rpm, otherwise ride is smooth. I have shown to dealer and nothing has been done so far, please advice is this a transmission issue?
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Northridge
2008 W209 Clk 350
I have same problems with my 2008 R350.
today i went beverly hills M-Benz and they say change Hub and bearing.
but I drove to fwy and feel like and sound like penzer tank!!!
I need lemon law lawyer
this is my third time visit with same problem.
today i went beverly hills M-Benz and they say change Hub and bearing.
but I drove to fwy and feel like and sound like penzer tank!!!
I need lemon law lawyer
this is my third time visit with same problem.
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
R350
R350 vibrations
My problem still persist and dealer has adjusted the exhaust only. I think Merc do not have solution and are pretty much saying live with it. I have visited my dealer 2 times only, and still not convinced. Please let me know if you hire a lemon lawyer.
