Gearbox gone at 80K
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Mijas Costa, Spain
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
SL500 Ex SL55, ML55, S430
Gearbox gone at 80K
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!!!!
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!!!!
![Confused](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/confused.gif)
#2
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
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
#4
Member
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.
Boy, with all these horror stories about German cars, I'm ready to try a <sotto voce> Lexus. There, I said it.
#7
Originally posted by morebhp
Resist the urges
Just got the call to say it is ready - I wonder what the bill is going to be!!!
Resist the urges
![Wink](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/wink.gif)
![Wink](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/wink.gif)
![Big Grin](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
![Wink](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/wink.gif)
also i don't know how safe they are compared to an s-class.
Trending Topics
#9
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.
#10
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1,935
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by vraa
Plenty safe, lets just not turn this into a Lexus VS Mercedes thread.
Plenty safe, lets just not turn this into a Lexus VS Mercedes thread.
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.
#11
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Mijas Costa, Spain
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
SL500 Ex SL55, ML55, S430
Originally posted by jpb5151
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?
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?
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!
#12
Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Cheshire UK
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
s65AMG, sl500
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 ?
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 ?
#13
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 536
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
BMW 535d Touring
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! [/B]
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.
#14
Member
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.
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.
#15
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Mijas Costa, Spain
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
SL500 Ex SL55, ML55, S430
Originally posted by 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 ?
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 ?
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.
#16
Member
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.