My 2020 S560 gets a new transmission and torque converter........
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 304
Likes: 6
From: Atlanta, GA
2016 E400 4Matic
Well this is all very disheartening. I was in the market for a 2016-2017 S550, but now you guys have terrified me. I wonder if I should just stop my search for an S class or just risk it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,936
Likes: 349
From: Huntington NY
S560
That's rather radical. The vast majority of S class owners have not had any issues. I have had 2 W222s and have yet to have a rough downshift. Sometimes things just happen and that's with any car...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,019
Likes: 358
15 S550 4Matic, 86 560SL
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 14,666
Likes: 4,568
From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
Caveat emptor on any used MB. Read the W222 section for posters with early model W222s. They don't seem to age well, similar to W221. If third party extended warranties are your thing, that is an option. If not, set aside some cash for the inevitable surprises.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,936
Likes: 349
From: Huntington NY
S560
This applies to all non Japanese manufactures, not just MB...
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,124
Likes: 4,352
From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
The transmission performance in my 2015 S550 and 2018 S560 was flawless. It wasn’t until I got my 2020 that I experienced these problems.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 304
Likes: 6
From: Atlanta, GA
2016 E400 4Matic
Is this an issue that would show up on an overnight test drive? Does it happen every time you drive the car or just one in ten times? Once a month?
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
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 14,666
Likes: 4,568
From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,694
Likes: 521
2019 S560, 2015 Honda Civic Hybrid
My 2016's 7G-Tronic has good days and bad days. I know this varies from car to car because my '14 C350 shifted perfectly at all times with it's 7G transmission. Still aggravating to have my wife look over at me and say "what was that, is there something wrong with the car"?
Still waiting for someone to post how many labor hours to do the manual adaptation solution described above. What would people be willing to spend if it truly fixed the problem for good?
Still waiting for someone to post how many labor hours to do the manual adaptation solution described above. What would people be willing to spend if it truly fixed the problem for good?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 9,056
Likes: 4,562
From: Maryland
2024 S580
My transmission feels great. Not to diminish the folks who have some issues, I believe them (I HATE when people do that on forums) but I wouldn't let it stop you from getting an S Class.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,975
Likes: 1,343
From: Cincinnati
2010 E350 4Matic
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,222
Likes: 6,281
Ya definitely don't let that discourage you from considering a W222 S-Class. No car is perfect after all but the W222 is too close to being perfect, you would enjoy one for sure.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 14,666
Likes: 4,568
From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
My 2016's 7G-Tronic has good days and bad days. I know this varies from car to car because my '14 C350 shifted perfectly at all times with it's 7G transmission. Still aggravating to have my wife look over at me and say "what was that, is there something wrong with the car"?
Still waiting for someone to post how many labor hours to do the manual adaptation solution described above. What would people be willing to spend if it truly fixed the problem for good?
Still waiting for someone to post how many labor hours to do the manual adaptation solution described above. What would people be willing to spend if it truly fixed the problem for good?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,936
Likes: 349
From: Huntington NY
S560
Now that's funny. BMWs have been notoriously unreliable which is why their resale values are trash. And VAG?? Aside from Porsche and a lessor extent Audi they are the worst of the worst. The W222 has bucked the trend of previous S class gens to be a rock solid stable platform.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 4,830
Likes: 772
From: Venice Florida
2018 S560
I would not suggest anyone stay away from buying a 222 because of this issue but it is for real. I'm on my third S class now, had a 2015, then a 2017 and now a 2018 and all three had jumpy transmissions at times. The 5 to 4 rough downshift plagued the 2015 and 2017 I had but it was only at certain times, maybe like even once a week if that. The 2018 I have currently has not so smooth upshifts and a real noticeable rough 1 to 2 upshift when i first start driving it when it's cold. The cars in the shop for other warrantee work and I didn't even mention this though as it really is not that bad and I figured chances are they'd never fix it anyhow. The things the car is in for now are a non working rear TV screen, a blown tweeter on the drivers side and a squeak noise in the passenger front which sounds like it might be something related to the air spring. Over all though these cars have pretty reliable for me and not many complaints and are a great driving car that really pampers the owner.
