Need new Transmission! Went bad at 70k on my 2007 mercedes benz S550
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 4,242
Likes: 628
From: Chicago burbs
2015 S550
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
In almost every case, coverage won't begin until at least 30 days and 1000 miles after you purchase coverage. They may even send somebody out to inspect your car for preexisting conditions....such as your transmission problem. Don't expect to purchase coverage just so you can get your trans fixed as the warranty company will likely sniff that out.
If your mechanic is telling you that a valve body replacement will get your tranny working again, then that is no guarantee that your trans won't have future problems. The 7 speed auto in the W221 is well known for its problems, especially the pre-facelift cars. These cars can get extremely expensive to keep on the road as they age and accumulate miles. You've got the right idea about having a warranty, especially if you plan on keeping the car. But you are probably looking into it too late.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,653
Likes: 560
2016 C300
There's a ton of stuff that can go bad. In my 06 a clutch pack failed and sent shrapnel throughout.
My Indie found me a remand unit including a new torque converter for $6k installed with a 2 year/unlimited miles warranty.
That tranny had every recommended service, plus an extra service right before it hit 100k and the CPO warranty expired. Zero indication anything was wrong and then one day the car wouldn't move.
My Indie found me a remand unit including a new torque converter for $6k installed with a 2 year/unlimited miles warranty.
That tranny had every recommended service, plus an extra service right before it hit 100k and the CPO warranty expired. Zero indication anything was wrong and then one day the car wouldn't move.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: New York
MB 2008 S550
Thanks very much for your suggestions and recommendations, I am asking these questions for a 2008 S550 with 5700 miles. Of all the companies I investigated Endurance seems the best, but again they have a long list of negative comments, so I dont fully trust them, there are other companies like Warranty Direct but again the reviews are very discouraging. Fortunately for now I dont have any issues or transmission problems because the previous owner meticulously maintained the car by the dealer and the maintenance is up to date, there was some work done on the transmission twice in the past, so I am assuming that they have already replaced the Valve Body. I have not actually purchased the car yet but I do plan to. I wanted to find out from anyone who have replaced the Valve Body in the past, if that prevented any further problems
Last edited by MB 2008 S550; Jul 11, 2017 at 08:24 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,653
Likes: 560
2016 C300
I've never heard of replacing the valve body as a cure for future tranny woes. I've heard of replacing a valve body when it fails and is stuck open or closed, but there's much bigger stuff enduring much more punishment in an AT than the valve body. Is the car you're looking at equipped with ABC?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,653
Likes: 560
2016 C300
Automatic Body Control. It's a hydraulic system of dampers on the struts that keep the car flat in corners. The alternate system was AirMatic. Of the two, ABC tends to be the more problematic and expensive. I believe ABC relies on a valve body in the tranny to move fluid around.
An ABC car will have a button labeled as such on the dash where an AirMatic car will not. Virtually all S550's were AirMatic. All AMG variants (S63,S65) were exclusively ABC. S600 could go either way I think.
An ABC car will have a button labeled as such on the dash where an AirMatic car will not. Virtually all S550's were AirMatic. All AMG variants (S63,S65) were exclusively ABC. S600 could go either way I think.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: New York
MB 2008 S550
I honestly dont know about this item , first time I have heard of it. But from all I have read about these W221 series with the 722.9 transmission is that the transmission is not reliable which seems to be the most common complaint with all models. What model MB do you own and have you had any transmission issues
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 4,242
Likes: 628
From: Chicago burbs
2015 S550
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 4,242
Likes: 628
From: Chicago burbs
2015 S550
Thanks very much for your suggestions and recommendations, I am asking these questions for a 2008 S550 with 5700 miles. Of all the companies I investigated Endurance seems the best, but again they have a long list of negative comments, so I dont fully trust them, there are other companies like Warranty Direct but again the reviews are very discouraging. Fortunately for now I dont have any issues or transmission problems because the previous owner meticulously maintained the car by the dealer and the maintenance is up to date, there was some work done on the transmission twice in the past, so I am assuming that they have already replaced the Valve Body. I have not actually purchased the car yet but I do plan to. I wanted to find out from anyone who have replaced the Valve Body in the past, if that prevented any further problems
There is plenty of info to be found here regarding problems with the 7 speed auto in the S550. You might get lucky and have no problems with it at all during your ownership of the car. But you should plan for the worst as these cars are very expensive to maintain and repair as they age.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,268
Likes: 253
abc is self- contained system. it has a tandem pressure pump (steering and abc in one) driven by the accessory belt on the engine, two valve blocks (one on the front and one at the rear of the car) to control flow to individual shocks and shocks... and many sensors.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 715
Likes: 214
From: Brooklyn, NY
2007 S550 4Matic 2013 S550 Base
Thanks very much for your suggestions and recommendations, I am asking these questions for a 2008 S550 with 5700 miles. Of all the companies I investigated Endurance seems the best, but again they have a long list of negative comments, so I dont fully trust them, there are other companies like Warranty Direct but again the reviews are very discouraging. Fortunately for now I dont have any issues or transmission problems because the previous owner meticulously maintained the car by the dealer and the maintenance is up to date, there was some work done on the transmission twice in the past, so I am assuming that they have already replaced the Valve Body. I have not actually purchased the car yet but I do plan to. I wanted to find out from anyone who have replaced the Valve Body in the past, if that prevented any further problems
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: New York
MB 2008 S550
Yes I meant 57,000 miles with a 100% up to date Maintenance record from the MB dealer. 2008 S550 4MATIC. So far these are the companies that I found
ENDURANCE
EASY CARE
FIDELITY
WARRANTY DIRECT
I would probably eliminate Warranty Direct and focus on the other 3 companies.
If anyone reading this thread that have had issues with your transmission or have already replaced the Valve Body, I would love to hear about your experience, . Primarily I would like to find out if after replacing the Valve Body if thats the end of problems with the transmission
ENDURANCE
EASY CARE
FIDELITY
WARRANTY DIRECT
I would probably eliminate Warranty Direct and focus on the other 3 companies.
If anyone reading this thread that have had issues with your transmission or have already replaced the Valve Body, I would love to hear about your experience, . Primarily I would like to find out if after replacing the Valve Body if thats the end of problems with the transmission
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 4,242
Likes: 628
From: Chicago burbs
2015 S550
Keep in mind that warranty companies interest is mainly about not paying money out. They're business model isn't about helping you but relying on your fear of the unknown to bolster their bottom line. These companies don't make money when they pay out claims and they know it's a good bet which is why they are providing the "service". You can't make money giving away money.
https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w...-thread-2.html
Go to post 37 in this thread. I haven't updated it recently, but I have had at least one more claim to add once I feel like getting around to it,.
Last edited by DaveW68; Jul 12, 2017 at 04:03 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: New York
MB 2008 S550
DaveW68, I am happy to hear that your exclusionary warranty already paid for itself, that was a wise investment, if you dont mind me asking , can you tell me the name of the company that you purchased your warranty from, do they cover used cars as well
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 4,242
Likes: 628
From: Chicago burbs
2015 S550
If you live in the Chicago area, or you have a family member who works for any of the Baxter Healthcare companies, I can hook you up with my guy at Baxter Credit Union. I believe the car has to have been in service for less than 10 years to be eligible for coverage.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 715
Likes: 214
From: Brooklyn, NY
2007 S550 4Matic 2013 S550 Base
In most cases, I would agree with this logic. But in the case of owning one of these W221's used, the odds seem to be stacked in favor of the consumer. I've never heard of even one incident of an aftermarket warranty not paying for itself and more with one of these cars. I purchased my exclusionary warranty at 24k miles for $3300 for 7 yrs/75k miles of coverage. So far in just over 2.5 years, it has already paid out over $12k in claims. I'm currently at 45k miles and am covered for the next 4.5 years and up to 99k miles. So it's highly likely that it's going to pay out a lot more in the future. The beauty of these policies is that they are transferable to the next private owner for a small $50 fee....which adds tremendous resale value for anybody who knows anything about these cars.
https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w...-thread-2.html
Go to post 37 in this thread. I haven't updated it recently, but I have had at least one more claim to add once I feel like getting around to it,.
https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w...-thread-2.html
Go to post 37 in this thread. I haven't updated it recently, but I have had at least one more claim to add once I feel like getting around to it,.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,653
Likes: 560
2016 C300
It's essentially the same way insurance companies make money. They take the incoming premium dollars and invest that money in the markets. That's where the profit comes from (ideally).
Most insurers (and a 3rd party warranty isn't actually a warranty) make either a very thin margin on underwriting (premium less claims costs and overhead) or actually lose a little depending on what they get hit with in big settlements in any given quarter.
State Farm for example typically takes a 3-4% loss on its underwriting. Progressive on the other hand runs a tighter claims organization and often makes a small profit on underwriting, or at least they did when I worked there.
Most insurers (and a 3rd party warranty isn't actually a warranty) make either a very thin margin on underwriting (premium less claims costs and overhead) or actually lose a little depending on what they get hit with in big settlements in any given quarter.
State Farm for example typically takes a 3-4% loss on its underwriting. Progressive on the other hand runs a tighter claims organization and often makes a small profit on underwriting, or at least they did when I worked there.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 715
Likes: 214
From: Brooklyn, NY
2007 S550 4Matic 2013 S550 Base
It's essentially the same way insurance companies make money. They take the incoming premium dollars and invest that money in the markets. That's where the profit comes from (ideally).
Most insurers (and a 3rd party warranty isn't actually a warranty) make either a very thin margin on underwriting (premium less claims costs and overhead) or actually lose a little depending on what they get hit with in big settlements in any given quarter.
State Farm for example typically takes a 3-4% loss on its underwriting. Progressive on the other hand runs a tighter claims organization and often makes a small profit on underwriting, or at least they did when I worked there.
Most insurers (and a 3rd party warranty isn't actually a warranty) make either a very thin margin on underwriting (premium less claims costs and overhead) or actually lose a little depending on what they get hit with in big settlements in any given quarter.
State Farm for example typically takes a 3-4% loss on its underwriting. Progressive on the other hand runs a tighter claims organization and often makes a small profit on underwriting, or at least they did when I worked there.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,653
Likes: 560
2016 C300
Originally Posted by EasyPhil
You mean like Bernie Madoff?
Insurance companies take the pool of incoming premium dollars and invest it for growth, so that when claims arise they can pay them. That's why you can for example pay relatively little in premium and then have an insurer pay out $300,000 on your behalf to protect you from a crippling judgment because you accidentally ran a light and killed someone (or seriously injured them).
That's really what insurance is for. Not the fender benders or broken windshields. It's to protect you from financial ruin on the off chance you have a momentary lapse in attention and cause an accident that leaves you seriously exposed.
Of course, we're all very confident in our abilities as safe drivers, just like pretty much anyone who has ever caused a major or fatal accident that I handled was right up to the millisecond they weren't any more.
