CLS320 7G Gearbox problem

[andreas_t]

Hello folks ! - It's been some time since I last posted but have followed the forum 'silently' and it's good to see it's as vibrant (and helpful) as ever !

I have just exchanged my 'almost new' W210 ('01 with 146K miles) for a 'new' CLS320 (April 06, 33K miles) - just the business .... apart from the gearbox problems I have encountered straight from the word go. I am currently waiting for the car to be fixed under MB warranty but wanted your advice on the 'fix'. I am aware that I am not the only one who has encountered this problem .... so here goes .....

This is an account of the story so far.

Saw / test drove the car on a Sunday and loved it / bought it. No problems at all.
Car was serviced (including 4 SW fixes and a gearbox oil change) and was collected following Saturday.
Within 10 miles the wife (and I !) noticed harsh downshift 3 to 2 and 2 to 1.
Back to the dealer on Monday morning ... and they booked it in for investigation the following week.
Car stuck in gear 3 times during the 'week of wait' ... yours truly not a happy bunny
Car into dealer and waited for diagnostics - puke of codes galore !
Diagnosis is to change electroplate, speed sensor, valves, etc. - parts in back-order and MB has to authorise warranty claim
Warranty claim authorised today, parts on order, car booked in for 2 days week after next.
Car is now getting stuck in gear (usually 4th) on a daily basis. Got really good at getting it 'unstuck' but only using it for short hops.

Therefore, as good as can be expected ...... but I'm concerned that after the fix the problems might return. Does anyone else have experience ? - Does the problem recur ? - The car has almost a year's worth of warranty to run - should I be thinking about an 'extended' warranty ? - Does anyone know what part numbers should be replaced so that I can check with what the dealer replaces ?

BTW .... I just love the car - it is perfect in every other respect.

Any help / advice will be greatly appreciated.

And it's great to be posting again !

 

[jaymanek]

well i think in this case its best just to trust the dealer to do what needs to be done... If the problems persist you are covered.

Your problems are pretty common from what I have seen and once fixed dont seem to reccur.

I assume they will change the parts suggested by the fault codes.

 

[BlackC55]

It will probably need a valve body. Common occurance.

Its it good that it's under warranty as its a £1200 job!

 

[w124coupe]

You need to make a quick decision (assuming you bought from a dealer).

Let them fix it or reject it....

I had similar with my 7G at 30odd thousand miles and, after several attempts at fixes (lots of them software plus reset adaptions), had to push very hard with Milton Keynes but eventually had a new gearbox fitted under warranty. Fine since.

I found the harsh downshift to 1st particularly annoying - for passengers it seems as if you can't brake smoothly!

There are some bad ones...

 

[andreas_t]

Thank you - your replies are reassuring.

I'll let the dealer have a good go at fixing it (since I really like the car otherwise) and take it from there. I'm glad I bought from a dealer with a 12 month warranty thrown in.

Thanks !

 

[andreas_t]

In my quest to find out more about the 722.9 gearbox, I came across this: 286 HO 722.9 062504

Hope it is of help to others.

 

[wpreid]

Just a thought but make sure you arnt brushing off the automatic gearstick, as they will "stick" in gear if you activate the tiptronic option unwittingly. This happened to me twice in my first wee with the car until I figured what was happening.

 

[moosehead]

I had several s/w updates on the 7G fitted to my 2005 C230 before the clunky down changes were fixed. A month before the warranty expired the electro hydraulic control unit (I think this is the valve pack) failed. This was at 45K miles. Fortunately it was replaced under warranty but as BlackC55 mentions I was told that the part alone was £1000. The dealer had the car for a couple of days whilst it was fixed so I could easily see this being a bill of £1500-2000.

 

[andreas_t]

Well ....... Eventually the dealer managed to get the part - apparently MB had put a 'block' on these for some time - and, having wrestled with it for 2 days, they got it fixed.

For info, the part number is: A000 270 170 080 and it retails for £270 + VAT. Around 6 hours labour on top, plus ATF, filter and new set of bolts for base cover.

I've now done 800 miles since the repair and the gearbox has settled very nicely indeed. Smooth as a baby's b****m (if there can be any comparison !). BTW, adaptations (which I requested) were between 3 and 4 across the range, so the clutch and brake packs are *** almost *** in new condition I am assured.

Interestingly, the dealer had serious trouble 'marrying' the new unit to the car. They had to get a S/W patch sent from Germany specifically before the process could be completed. Possibly that's why the part was 'on hold'

So look for a S/W update next time yours is in

Happy :bannana: now. Thanks for all your posts and support. I can now really enjoy the car .