Need new Transmission! Went bad at 70k on my 2007 mercedes benz S550
05-07-2011, 05:19 PM
#52
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I know everyone assumes I am biased as I sell extended warranties, and I probably am. But I buy a LOT of AMG and 600-series cars for my clients on a custom-order basis. At this point, I won't take on a retained search unless my client agrees up front to buy an extended warranty. I don't even care if they get it from me or not, as long as they get one.
I just know that I can triple inspect the car including one inspection at an MB dealer, pull the VMI to make sure it's been cared for since new, and STILL after 6 months they can incur some huge unforseen problem (and blame me for it!). Life is too short to have people hate me for things that are not my fault.
These cars are just not reliable in the long-term, and hideously expensive to repair out of warranty. Yet because the pool of cars overall is large (C-class, E-class, etc) they do not get rated too badly by warranty companies unless starting miles are very high. So you can get a good warranty for a reasonable price.
If anyone would like a quote (not with pre-existing condition please!), shoot me an email with your car's VIN# and current odometer reading to brucem105@comcast.net.
Bruce
I just know that I can triple inspect the car including one inspection at an MB dealer, pull the VMI to make sure it's been cared for since new, and STILL after 6 months they can incur some huge unforseen problem (and blame me for it!). Life is too short to have people hate me for things that are not my fault.
These cars are just not reliable in the long-term, and hideously expensive to repair out of warranty. Yet because the pool of cars overall is large (C-class, E-class, etc) they do not get rated too badly by warranty companies unless starting miles are very high. So you can get a good warranty for a reasonable price.
If anyone would like a quote (not with pre-existing condition please!), shoot me an email with your car's VIN# and current odometer reading to brucem105@comcast.net.
Bruce
05-07-2011, 05:39 PM
#53
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'10 MB S550, '11 RR HSE LUX
Because the vast majority of the buyers who actually pay $100k+ doesn't care about long term reliability. When you get the car at a $70k discount with 50k miles on the clock, you have to understand that these savings come from somewhere; it's not like the car is suddenly worth much less for no reason.
05-08-2011, 02:42 AM
#54
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Because the vast majority of the buyers who actually pay $100k+ doesn't care about long term reliability. When you get the car at a $70k discount with 50k miles on the clock, you have to understand that these savings come from somewhere; it's not like the car is suddenly worth much less for no reason.
05-09-2011, 03:15 AM
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2007 S550
I think on any non-high performance car the transmission should not be going out this early. Especially considering the V8 and 7G package is not unique to the w221 and resides in plenty of other cars.
I understand the bells and whistles going out on high end cars; that is common. But basic drivetrain?
I understand the bells and whistles going out on high end cars; that is common. But basic drivetrain?
05-14-2011, 06:42 AM
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2007 Mercedes Benz S550
UPDATE:
So I finally got a chance to pick the car up. So here is what i did.
Do not buy a used transmission! 1st dealer said they cannot program the Valve body from another car to my car, 2nd most of the time the Transmissions have been sitting for awhile and the Torque converter gets jammed up. So Lets say u spend $1,000-2,000 on a USED transmission. Your gonna end up spending another $1,000 on a Valve body, and $1,000 on a converter.. Not worth it!
Dealer is selling a Re manufactured Transmission for $3,600 with 1 year warranty. and about $1,100 in labor. I say it was got a good deal and my SA was on my side the whole time, he got Mercedes to take off about $400 off my bill. So i payed total about $4,300 for my transmission out the door. Still not happy that i had to get another transmission for a car like this, but what else could i do
. Next time either lease or buy extended warranty nothing else 
. Hope this helps anyone else with the same problem
So I finally got a chance to pick the car up. So here is what i did.
Do not buy a used transmission! 1st dealer said they cannot program the Valve body from another car to my car, 2nd most of the time the Transmissions have been sitting for awhile and the Torque converter gets jammed up. So Lets say u spend $1,000-2,000 on a USED transmission. Your gonna end up spending another $1,000 on a Valve body, and $1,000 on a converter.. Not worth it!
Dealer is selling a Re manufactured Transmission for $3,600 with 1 year warranty. and about $1,100 in labor. I say it was got a good deal and my SA was on my side the whole time, he got Mercedes to take off about $400 off my bill. So i payed total about $4,300 for my transmission out the door. Still not happy that i had to get another transmission for a car like this, but what else could i do
. Next time either lease or buy extended warranty nothing else . Hope this helps anyone else with the same problem
Last edited by Benzzz; 05-14-2011 at 07:49 AM.
05-14-2011, 04:07 PM
#57
MBWorld Fanatic!
Alright, is there a way how to self-diagnose your transmission other than sending ATF oil sample for analysis?
Someone mentioned production numbers can reveal what transmission series you have. Can you please elaborate on that?
Someone mentioned production numbers can reveal what transmission series you have. Can you please elaborate on that?
05-18-2011, 09:47 PM
#59
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Frankly, you have to hate money to own the car without an extended warranty.
Em Bee- For the cost of pre-emptive maintenance you could spend a little more and get a full extended warranty and be covered for most everything...
Em Bee- For the cost of pre-emptive maintenance you could spend a little more and get a full extended warranty and be covered for most everything...
05-20-2011, 12:12 AM
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2007 S550V4 2001 S430 (Sold) 1976 450 SL
I am second owner. I have owned 11 months. Upon getting, I checked w/ the local M-B dlr. fianacial guy and he said $7500 for an extended warr. I was simply knocked over by the cost. I limply hung up and haven't explored anything further.
What's a good cost guideline or warranty outfit for a 2007 Designo with $106,000 sticker that's been on the ground now 49 months and has 62,000 miles?
Believe me, I am open to suggestions and advice. Thanks.
What's a good cost guideline or warranty outfit for a 2007 Designo with $106,000 sticker that's been on the ground now 49 months and has 62,000 miles?
Believe me, I am open to suggestions and advice. Thanks.
05-21-2011, 12:29 AM
#61
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I think on any non-high performance car the transmission should not be going out this early. Especially considering the V8 and 7G package is not unique to the w221 and resides in plenty of other cars.
I understand the bells and whistles going out on high end cars; that is common. But basic drivetrain?
I understand the bells and whistles going out on high end cars; that is common. But basic drivetrain?
05-21-2011, 07:13 PM
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S550 4matic, ML350
I am second owner. I have owned 11 months. Upon getting, I checked w/ the local M-B dlr. fianacial guy and he said $7500 for an extended warr. I was simply knocked over by the cost. I limply hung up and haven't explored anything further.
What's a good cost guideline or warranty outfit for a 2007 Designo with $106,000 sticker that's been on the ground now 49 months and has 62,000 miles?
Believe me, I am open to suggestions and advice. Thanks.
What's a good cost guideline or warranty outfit for a 2007 Designo with $106,000 sticker that's been on the ground now 49 months and has 62,000 miles?
Believe me, I am open to suggestions and advice. Thanks.
Shop around!
03-12-2013, 11:18 AM
#63
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s550 transmission problem
I owns a 2007 s550. The car's transmission is having hard shifting problem. Have you had your transmission fixed? I would appreciate it if you can give me some advise.
Thanks
Thanks
03-12-2013, 05:54 PM
#65
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To do a filter change and a complete trans flush according to the Tim Eckart method is highly recommended. I would not drive another mile like this if I where you.
BTW shifts kind of harsh from 2-3 is normal when cold, but should be completely smooth once on the right temp after half an hour or so.
BTW shifts kind of harsh from 2-3 is normal when cold, but should be completely smooth once on the right temp after half an hour or so.
Last edited by marthyh; 03-12-2013 at 05:56 PM.
03-12-2013, 06:32 PM
#66
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2007 S550
i agreed on the flush being a good idea before anything more drastic.
I only ask because my particular car (also a 07) "shudders/stutters" at the 1-2 shift point both up and down on "sport". I've kept it in "comfort" 99% of the time and it's fine with that.
I did a flush back in the day too.
I only ask because my particular car (also a 07) "shudders/stutters" at the 1-2 shift point both up and down on "sport". I've kept it in "comfort" 99% of the time and it's fine with that.
I did a flush back in the day too.
03-13-2013, 09:03 AM
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2012 S350 Bluetec 4Matic, Diamond White, P2
The suggestion would be to change the tranny fluids, which is outside of the traditional service alphabet installments. (A,B,C, etc).
But just make sure that you have an extended warranty. Not every person with this car uses the forum as a sounding board. This community is a small group of owners that are web based enthusiasts. What about the countless others with this car and their problems...?
But just make sure that you have an extended warranty. Not every person with this car uses the forum as a sounding board. This community is a small group of owners that are web based enthusiasts. What about the countless others with this car and their problems...?
03-13-2013, 04:05 PM
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05-23-2013, 05:41 PM
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Don't get scammed
I own a 07 s550 with 74k Miles, and no warranty, and I take very good care of it, one day it just started cutting off when I put it into drive,
So I had to press the gas pedal and Brake at the same time - use both feet, then put it in drive, then will Kick like someone hit the car in the back... so I took it to the dealer and the dealer rushed me and said - it was the Transmission and needed new one, so I took it to another service location, and the guy said the same thing, then one of my friend who owned a BMW told me his friend who worked at the MB dealer for 15yrs and got all the certification, so I was like - why not - just go check it out, so I got there and I just told him what the car is doing, and I asked do you think it's a transmission? He said no, that has nothing to do with the transmission, he checked it and 20 minutes later - he said it was a Torque Converter - and sure enough - they replaced it, was burned, and charged me $1800, instead of the dealer wanted to charge me $6800 plus who know what... my suggestion - go around these local guys, new guys that just left Mercedes dealer are better, they want to help and not scam you
So I had to press the gas pedal and Brake at the same time - use both feet, then put it in drive, then will Kick like someone hit the car in the back... so I took it to the dealer and the dealer rushed me and said - it was the Transmission and needed new one, so I took it to another service location, and the guy said the same thing, then one of my friend who owned a BMW told me his friend who worked at the MB dealer for 15yrs and got all the certification, so I was like - why not - just go check it out, so I got there and I just told him what the car is doing, and I asked do you think it's a transmission? He said no, that has nothing to do with the transmission, he checked it and 20 minutes later - he said it was a Torque Converter - and sure enough - they replaced it, was burned, and charged me $1800, instead of the dealer wanted to charge me $6800 plus who know what... my suggestion - go around these local guys, new guys that just left Mercedes dealer are better, they want to help and not scam you
05-23-2013, 06:07 PM
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I own a 07 s550 with 74k Miles, and no warranty, and I take very good care of it, one day it just started cutting off when I put it into drive,
So I had to press the gas pedal and Brake at the same time - use both feet, then put it in drive, then will Kick like someone hit the car in the back... so I took it to the dealer (ARLINGTON VA) and the dealer rushed me and said - it was the Transmission and needed new one, so I took it to another service location, and the guy said the same thing, then one of my friend who owned a BMW told me his friend who worked at the MB dealer for 15yrs and got all the certification, so I was like - why not - just go check it out, so I got there and I just told him what the car is doing, and I asked do you think it's a transmission? He said no, that has nothing to do with the transmission, he checked it and 20 minutes later - he said it was a Torque Converter - and sure enough - they replaced it, was burned, and charged me $1800, instead of the dealer wanted to charge me $6800 plus who know what... my suggestion - go around these local guys, new guys that just left Mercedes dealer are better, they want to help and not scam you
So I had to press the gas pedal and Brake at the same time - use both feet, then put it in drive, then will Kick like someone hit the car in the back... so I took it to the dealer (ARLINGTON VA) and the dealer rushed me and said - it was the Transmission and needed new one, so I took it to another service location, and the guy said the same thing, then one of my friend who owned a BMW told me his friend who worked at the MB dealer for 15yrs and got all the certification, so I was like - why not - just go check it out, so I got there and I just told him what the car is doing, and I asked do you think it's a transmission? He said no, that has nothing to do with the transmission, he checked it and 20 minutes later - he said it was a Torque Converter - and sure enough - they replaced it, was burned, and charged me $1800, instead of the dealer wanted to charge me $6800 plus who know what... my suggestion - go around these local guys, new guys that just left Mercedes dealer are better, they want to help and not scam you
06-04-2013, 09:21 PM
#72
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Ed, that's great to know.
I posted on this thread in 2011; had my transmission replaced at 15,000. I am now again having similar issues that I had initially. I will take it to the dealer and see what they say. I have approximately 91,000; extended service plan ends in August so I can still have them fix whatever it is under Mercedes extended service plan.
I posted on this thread in 2011; had my transmission replaced at 15,000. I am now again having similar issues that I had initially. I will take it to the dealer and see what they say. I have approximately 91,000; extended service plan ends in August so I can still have them fix whatever it is under Mercedes extended service plan.
03-07-2014, 12:11 PM
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2007 E350 Mercedes
Hey, I do feel your pain bro. I have a 2007 350 with 125,500 miles on it and it will not shift outside of first gear. Plus it runs up my rpm levels when i do go pass 20 mph. So i took it today to the Texas International Motors and they told me its the valve body in the transmission and its needs to be replace. They said that the dealership doesnt sell that part to outside shops because they want to keep that kind of service in a MB dealership. It will cost me 2500 to fix the problem at the MB. But if i can do it with TIM then it would be cheaper so i have to find a way to get my hands on that part because i refuse to pay that amount. Does anyone know who sells that part for my car. Also they wipe my memory clean and the cars drives normal for now until i can get that part.
03-07-2014, 06:09 PM
#74
MBWorld Fanatic!
Made the mistake of keeping my $92,000 S500 past the 100k CPO warranty and at 103k the tranny went. $6,000 for a reman'd unit at an indie shop and then directly to a dealership to be traded in. I'll never own a Mercedes out of warranty again.
07-11-2017, 12:50 AM
#75
Mercedes Benz 2008 S550 Transmission issues
Does anyone know if after replacing the Valve Body, does that prevent future issues with the transmission. Also can anyone recommend a reliable company that offers extended warranty. I have been doing some research and found a company by the name of Endurance . Its just very difficult to trust these companies, most of them will not pay the full amount to cover the repair or they will tell you the problem is caused from Tear and Wear
