morebhp

My S430 Gearbox has completely wrecked at 80,000 miles.

3100 UK Pounds to install a factory reconditioned unit!!

To their credit Mercedes have offered 50% towards the bill. The car is four years old and out of warranty, and they have towed it in free and given me a courtesy car while it is repaired (Brand new S320 CDi - very impressed - feels about as quick as my 430 and doing 35 mpg!).

BUT - very unimpressed with the failure. I have had numerous BMW 7 series with over 100,000 miles on them (one with 180,000) and never experienced such problems. One of the reasons you buy a Merc is you expect it to run for 300,000 miles without any major failures.

Is this a common problem!!!!

jl88

The lifetime fill transmission fluid always seemed kinda fishy

We'll know in another year or two whether or not the LTF was a good decision when alot of the w220's hit around 5 years old and 60-70k miles

I know the w202 automatic gearbox was a disaster at around 50-80k miles

apricotscrub

im about to hit 80K in not too long, i've spent thousands on the car for problems, i dont think MB will help me out with the bill when it comes.

Jaeger

I've been told to change my fluid as soon as the warranty expires. Perhaps there is some "symptom" that you can create in order to get MB to change it under warranty?

Boy, with all these horror stories about German cars, I'm ready to try a <sotto voce> Lexus. There, I said it.

morebhp

Resist the urges Just got the call to say it is ready - I wonder what the bill is going to be!!!

apricotscrub

jaeger, lexus is nice inside and all, but outside they don't look as good as mercedes, also i don't know how safe they are compared to an s-class.

vraa

Yes, resist, keep on holding out! Remember don't dump Mercedes just because they want to overcharge you, i mean, you did buy one of their flag ship models.

Plenty safe, lets just not turn this into a Lexus VS Mercedes thread.

Rusboy

Do you mind telling us what kind of problems?

apricotscrub

besides rotors and pads that run me like 1,000 each time, fuel pump broke 1,000, airmatic compressor and valve unit broke 2 times, 2nd time was repaired free first time 1,000, leaking wiper fluid, comand system configuration was all messed up, i know what else, but i remember outside of maintence it cost around 2500$ cuz thats what I'm suing the car dealership for.

jpb5151

Seems like lots of people here have both too.

Sorry to read about the gearbox, morebhp. The fact that they're willing to pay half after the warranty's out makes me wonder if this is a known defect. Or, do they just want to keep you as a long-term customer? Anyhow, I hope it gets fixed properly and promptly.

morebhp

Suspect had I not bought an official UK SL55 last year they may not have played ball.

Collected the car last night - the dealer has looked after me pretty well - had the new S320 for over a week, and the new gearbox fitted for just over a grand (about 1600 US Dollars) so could have been much worse. Hope the rest of the car hold up for another 9 months or so before I swap!

Mmmm

Hi,

Did you get the option to extend the warrenty when you reached 4 years ?

I've got a 430 that will be 4 years old in September, get the odd burble from the uspension but thats it.

What are you considering swapping the car for ?

Mustard

I wouldn't have accepted 50%. You should have said you were a regular here - the last thing MB want is negative publicity. I've had a similar issue with a 300TE that blew at 26K miles and ended up with a free engine and a new car offer at cost.

I'd suggest your contribution should be 20% max - after all MB make a great play of the reliability of their taxis, which do 500K without problems.

Jaeger

Speaking of warranty extensions, I note the only after-market warranty company offering coverage in California (1Source) specifically excludes the COMAND system and "pneumatic suspensions" from their coverage. That is on their list of exclusions for every policy (see below). What does 1Source know that we should know?

SECTION EIGHT – WHAT IS NOT COVERED BY THIS VSA

YOUR VSA DOES NOT PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR, OR APPLY TO, THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:

A. Physical damage; alignment of bumper/body/trim parts; glass; lenses, bulbs, fuses, sealed beams, fiber optics or any other illumination device; wiper blades; bright metal; jacks; fasteners (i.e.: nuts, bolts, clips, screws, pins, studs, brackets, clamps, rivets, etc.); safety restraint devices (Diamond plan includes airbag electrical component coverage), fuel filler cap, electronic choke, paint; rust; upholstery; sun visors/sunshades or roller blind components/motors, Quadra Steer/ All Wheel steering components; plastic or plastic-like items such as, but not limited to: plastic valve covers or intake manifolds, cup holders, tanks; hinges, moldings, bezels or consoles; keys or key chips; heated steering wheel; electronic spoiler; any remote devices; carpet; rubber or rubber-like items; convertible top/window; vinyl top; weather-strips; squeaks and rattles or any other noise; interior/exterior ornamentation; video entertainment systems; appliances; web access/phone systems; Mercedes Benz Command Center/Module; pneumatic suspension systems; voice-activated devices; body sheet metal, bumpers, body panels, structural framework, structural welds; water leaks; wind leaks/noise; sealants/caulking tubes, materials/shop supplies, hazardous waste/disposal charges and other maintenance parts and services. Also excluded are: wheels, wheel balancing, rims, valve stems, wheel covers; tires (other than expenses as outlined under Section Nine “TIRE ROAD HAZARD COVERAGE”). All after market parts or accessories, whether installed by the manufacturer or not, including but not limited to: CB Radios, cellular phones, audio systems, high performance parts and/or accessories, performance chips, injectors, performance upgrades.

morebhp

I bought the S class second hand from a trader friend (!) of mine so did not bother with warranty expnsions.

Mercedes have met me half way with this gearbox failure, a heater control set and power steering pump!

As stated above I have had numerous high mileage work horses from BMW (7's and 5') and have driven them hard without any major problems, so I expected at least as good from Mercedes and probably better. This car is low milage for me (75,000).

I have just sold my SL55 to buy a place in Spain so I will probably swap the S430 at the start of winter (good time to buy a convertible) for another 740/750 and a 10 year old SL500 (cheap classic insurance). I had a 1990 SL500 for many years - these were built in the days when Mercedes built this bullet proof reputation.

Jaeger

Correction 1Source says that "pneumatic suspension" is not Mercedes Airmatic, but rather a Lincoln LS "airbag" suspension. They also say the COMAND exclusion is only for 2002 or later models with integrated voice command GPS/radio. I now have that in writing so I will get the warranty. Worth the peace of mind, even though, as with all insurance, they have it priced so they make money on it.

jl88

I think even the Mercedes extended warranty does not cover COMAND.