B Class CVT gone bang!

[jeremytaylor]

3 months out of warranty the CVT box on sister-in-law's B200CDI has gone bang. The question is how much goodwill should be expected from Mercedes? 75%? More?

 

[BaldGuy]

I'd say push for all of it if its got full Benz Service History......

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

All of it - I wouldn't settle for less if I were your SIL.

I don't think she'll have a problem either just 3 months out of warranty, but if they ask her to make a contribution, just stand her ground politely but firmly.

 

[Mudster]

A pertinent question would be what's the mileage?.....30,000 miles or so, no compromise...100,000 miles then this is a different conversation.

 

[jeremytaylor]

FMBSH. Mileage 30,000. 2 owners (MB UK and sis-in-law). I'll tell her to expect for 100%.

 

[crockers]

They may come back with if its wear and tear its not covered if its a manufacturing fault it is but we wont know until we strip it down..

My reply would be .....what fair wear and tear at 30,000 miles???

 

[Rory]

Remember that in law warranty is irrelevant - goods are expected to be fit for purpose and durable, ie they should last a reasonble length of time.

The only complication is that, legally, recourse is to whoever you bought the vehicle off, not MB UK.

 

[jeremytaylor]

Yes, you're right Rory. It was bought from Mercedes Milton Keynes - Sytner

 

[lynall]

My wife had 2 minis both with the cvt box and as i had never read a good thing about them i was pleased as punch when she got the merc, one less thing to have to think about.
Were also jerky and sapped loads of power from the engine, even went back to BMW and they said they are all like that sir.



Lynall

 

[jeremytaylor]

Update:

It wasn't the gearbox but a broken drive shaft! At 30,000 miles! Merc are going to pay for the whole cost - just as well seeing as the part alone is £600. For a drive-shaft!!

 

[BaldGuy]

Result!! Well done....

 

[miro]

My wife had 2 minis both with the cvt box and as i had never read a good thing about them i was pleased as punch when she got the merc, one less thing to have to think about.
Were also jerky and sapped loads of power from the engine, even went back to BMW and they said they are all like that sir.

Lynall

A very interesting note about B and A power output. I noticed that in my Australian edition the timing was set to BASE VALUE. When I increased the value to RON93 it output about 10% more punch at push off.

The fuel rating in the engine controller is VERY conservative and it makes a lot of these cars as though they were run on a very low octane rating.

Since I normally use RON98 the RON93 preset is much closer. The power gain was instant. Best of all it was a legitimate change.

If anyone wants such tuning done to their car they should contact Alfie (Mark) or Richard (Richard). It takes about 10 minutes with a diagnostic.

 

[Rory]

A very interesting note about B and A power output. I noticed that in my Australian edition the timing was set to BASE VALUE. When I increased the value to RON93 it output about 10% more punch at push off.

The fuel rating in the engine controller is VERY conservative and it makes a lot of these cars as though they were run on a very low octane rating.

Since I normally use RON98 the RON93 preset is much closer. The power gain was instant. Best of all it was a legitimate change.

That *might* be done on purpose to limit the strain on the gearbox (and maybe also the driveshafts!).

 

[Smatt]

A very interesting note about B and A power output. I noticed that in my Australian edition the timing was set to BASE VALUE. When I increased the value to RON93 it output about 10% more punch at push off.

The fuel rating in the engine controller is VERY conservative and it makes a lot of these cars as though they were run on a very low octane rating.

Since I normally use RON98 the RON93 preset is much closer. The power gain was instant. Best of all it was a legitimate change.

If anyone wants such tuning done to their car they should contact Alfie (Mark) or Richard (Richard). It takes about 10 minutes with a diagnostic.

Miro, Would this apply to our B200T which actually recommends 98RON?
Cheers,
Matt

 

[Smatt]

Update:

It wasn't the gearbox but a broken drive shaft! At 30,000 miles! Merc are going to pay for the whole cost - just as well seeing as the part alone is £600. For a drive-shaft!!

JT, was watching this thread as we have CVT- phew!
Drive shaft can't be something that goes often- could it be a material defect ??
Glad your sister's getting it sorted ok
Matt

 

[miro]

That *might* be done on purpose to limit the strain on the gearbox (and maybe also the driveshafts!).

Then I propose the driveshafts might make a better life as stands for letter boxes.

Drive it till it falls apart. When it falls apart find out why and get it fixed. I have no plans to race my car but pressing lightly on the GO PEDAL in case it falls apart is not very Mercedes.

 

[miro]

Miro, Would this apply to our B200T which actually recommends 98RON?
Cheers,
Matt

My guess is that the DEFAULT value is for something around 90RON so I would suspect you are missing some of the available power. The modification in programming is safe, reversible and totally within factory parameters.

I have lost most of the lag since I made the change. The turbo has its own lag also ... so it may come down to NA engines having the best results.

 

[miro]

JT, was watching this thread as we have CVT- phew!
Drive shaft can't be something that goes often- could it be a material defect ??
Glad your sister's getting it sorted ok
Matt

Im thinking tow truck or car delivery and a hook on the drive shaft leaving a substantial scratch or slight bend on the drive shaft. This would cause sufficient damage to the surface which could then lead to weakening of the metal structure or excessive vibration.

Would get the wheel bearings fixed also.