E320Cdi 2004 W211 Gearbox problem

[emission0]

First post, and what looks like a big problem with our auto gearbox

After 4 years of faultless ownership, I have a problem with our gearbox where I loose drive. After turning the engine off, I can obtain gears in D and R for a short period of time, and teh car will move, but the problem then re-occurs...no drive.
We have had a mixture of service types on the car, initially main dealer, and more recentally indie service for the last couple of years. Millage 99K, car is used on mixed journies, motorway and local.
Looking at previous threads on gearbox related issues, it would seem that a logical point would be to look at fluid levels. Not sure how to go about this, but is seems like a good place to start. If the levels were low would it cause a problem like this?
I suspect that my next step will be to get a diagnostic check carried out on the gearbox, but am also aware that at this point it is also very easy for some one to just advise that a replacement gearbox is required!
Is anyone aware of a good 'indie' in or around Worcester (UK) that is knowlegable on gearbox related issues?
Looking further into the possible problems, it I understand that it could be a faulty electrical conductor plate, or faulty oil seals.
Would the diagnostic review identify these issues?
Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[HB]

Phone Olly. Pcs mercedes specialists.

 

[emission0]

Many thanks. Do you have a contact number for Olly please?

 

[AMGeed]

^^

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/memb...r-service-mercedes-specialist-portsmouth.html

 

[emission0]

^^

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/memb...r-service-mercedes-specialist-portsmouth.html

thanks

 

[evdok]

Get it in to MB of worcester for a diagnose just incase it becomes a bigger issue .

 

[HB]

Get it in to MB of worcester for a diagnose just incase it becomes a bigger issue .

Wouldn't take any of our Mercs new ones or the older ones near a dealer man. They are all useless.

 

[evdok]

Bad experience?

 

[BenzedUP]

Wouldn't take any of our Mercs new ones or the older ones near a dealer man. They are all useless.

Sorry but that's rubbish, they are not all useless, have you tried all of them?

I can't really fault my local MB dealer, they are great and very fair whenever I go there!

OP as said book it in with Olly or your local MB dealer as soon as.

 

[evdok]

i get 30% off thanks to the privilege card from the drayton group.

 

[HB]

Sorry but that's rubbish, they are not all useless, have you tried all of them?

I can't really fault my local MB dealer, they are great and very fair whenever I go there!

OP as said book it in with Olly or your local MB dealer as soon as.

Come up to Scotland and see how useless they are.

 

[emission0]

I can say that I have had good and bad experiences with main dealers, having run an Audi and our Merc for a number of years. Final straw for me was a bill for £650 for a diagnostic review of the car at a Merc dealer, and then a further £600 for the service. Since then I have tried to find really good independent places where the owners of the business really have a passion for what they do, and in many cases are experienced mechanics rather than vehicle technicians. Sadly in many main dealers I have found that the staff are only interested in numbers through the door and a quick buck.
It is great that forums like this can inform owners to a point where a logical decision can be made about what to do next. Many owners of cars like ours will simply direct the car at a dealer and never once question what the outcome is. Sure there are good and bad dealers, and if you find a good one that is brilliant, and you can stick with them. A good Indie will be very much reliant upon establishing a good reputation and customer service, rather than being reliant upon the manufactures brand.
Many thanks for your comments to date, I will keep posting with the outcome.