Yesterday, my auto box was making unusual noise after going just 200metres, so drove home and asked my service guy to take a look at it (he works from home and is merc specialist) He said he drove it home to his house and just about got it home (4 miles) and his friend, a gearbox specialist (love this word, 'specialist') said that it sounds like a tooth has gone on the planatary gear set. he would have to strip it all down and rebuild it again, in meticulous detail. It is possible the torque may have gone as well, so this might need replacing. Has quoted £1,500 but could be as much as £2,000. My guy has been servicing my car for 4 years (70,000miles). Car has done 148,000 miles. The clonking when putting into drive occurred about 14 mths ago (inconsistently). Should the gearbox oil have been checked on service ? I have read on here about lifetime oil in gearbox and there is no mention of gearbox maintenance in service guide. More importantly, been quoted £750 for replacement used box from Mercland, but need fitting, any idea of labour ? Car is only worth about £4,000 so reluctant to spend another £2,000 on it. Any help very much welcome.
E200 Planatary Tooth gone !!! Dentist needed
PJH
MB Enthusiast
Can't be much help, but MB have realised that 'sealed for life' gearboxes DO need attention and are including them in the latest service guides.
It may be almost impossible to change the gearbox without removing the engine/box together.
Where abouts in the country are you ?
It may be almost impossible to change the gearbox without removing the engine/box together.
Where abouts in the country are you ?
grober
MB Master
reconditioned gearbox from specialist company
You dont say what age your car is, Is it a w124 or a W210? 4SPEED or 5 SPEED ? Lifetime oilfill only applies to later models with more advanced spec oils. Some folks still believe in a regular filter/oil change even then. The costs seem reasonable bearing in the mind what could be involved. However if you spend £2000 I would expect a cast iron written warranty on the work parts+labour for a year. Can your gearbox specialist provide that? Unless your a dedicated DIY man (AND I DONT GET THAT IMPRESSION FROM YOUR POST) I would be wary of a secondhand box ( what age is it-what mileage has it done already?)since you cannot assess them adequately until they are installed. Are you prepared to get it installed then fail after 3 months, take it out, send it back to the supplier, get another one if you are lucky!, install it etc etc etc The costs can mount up if you are employing someone to do the work. Remember a fully warranted gearbox is a good selling point when you come to sell also.
Get several estimates on the repair from different sources/ using different approaches before deciding.
You dont say what age your car is, Is it a w124 or a W210? 4SPEED or 5 SPEED ? Lifetime oilfill only applies to later models with more advanced spec oils. Some folks still believe in a regular filter/oil change even then. The costs seem reasonable bearing in the mind what could be involved. However if you spend £2000 I would expect a cast iron written warranty on the work parts+labour for a year. Can your gearbox specialist provide that? Unless your a dedicated DIY man (AND I DONT GET THAT IMPRESSION FROM YOUR POST) I would be wary of a secondhand box ( what age is it-what mileage has it done already?)since you cannot assess them adequately until they are installed. Are you prepared to get it installed then fail after 3 months, take it out, send it back to the supplier, get another one if you are lucky!, install it etc etc etc The costs can mount up if you are employing someone to do the work. Remember a fully warranted gearbox is a good selling point when you come to sell also.
Get several estimates on the repair from different sources/ using different approaches before deciding.
PJH
MB Enthusiast
The are several MB specialists in Essex. Mercaid in Basildon, Waterhouse in Chelmsford.mercmay said:
http://mbclub.co.uk/forums/search.php?searchid=587962
Dieselman
Banned
- Joined
- Jul 13, 2003
- Messages
- 34,199
- Car
- Peugeot 403 Convertible
From your description it does sound like the gearbox is US. This in turn can finish the torque converter due to contamination and wear.
The best route would either be a guarenteed s/h box, a guarenteed rebuild or best of all an MB exchange box from the dealer. I can't remember the price but about £1200 for the box and £400 for the verter.
The best route would either be a guarenteed s/h box, a guarenteed rebuild or best of all an MB exchange box from the dealer. I can't remember the price but about £1200 for the box and £400 for the verter.
