Life of Auto-Box

[Birdman]

I had a 1994 320E Coupe that slipped on 1/2 upchange at 74K and was fixed under warranty. The next was a 1997 E320 (W210) with the straight six engine and 5-speed box. I had put 92K when I sold it, never a problem, didn't ever have the atf changed. Know better about these things now and had the E55 atf changed at 75K/4 years, along with nearly everything else! That box is on 80K and doing just fine (touch wood)...

 

[drifting]

And just to make you guys feel smug and content, two cars back I had a new BMW 5 series, infact a 528i, loads of toys etc.
However I got rid of the car after 18 Months, reason? THREE gearboxes !! Did not feel inclined to keep it beyond the warranty.

Paul.
Who now also feels smug and content.

 

[Alex Argent]

1998 C240 with 114k and as far as I am aware, no ATF change. Still changes very smoothly, but I have been promising myself since 80k that I must get it changed. I now sincerely hope that Murphy's Law isn't going to rear its head. Watch this space!
Ian, is it much of a job to do (I appreciate we have different models, but I'm sure you had a W202 before)? I gather the cost of the fluid alone is about £60 from the stealership.
Cheers

 

[guydewdney]

My 1990 230E has 264,000 miles on the original box but I do change the oil and gearbox filter at 18,000 mile intervals.
I use the cheapest Dextron 2 and a filter from GSFmotor parts, total cost is less than £20.
Your backstreet garage could manage this for a few quid more.

Yes and no.. This is true and OK for pre 1996ish gearboxes - the 4 speed E/S gearboxes.

If you have W/S on the switch, then you need to use MB fluid

Mine went pop at 130,000 miles, rebuilt, went pop at 140,000 miles? re-built (for 250 quid) and is fine (181,000 miles) now.

 

[Ian B Walker]

1998 C240 with 114k and as far as I am aware, no ATF change. Still changes very smoothly, but I have been promising myself since 80k that I must get it changed. I now sincerely hope that Murphy's Law isn't going to rear its head. Watch this space!
Ian, is it much of a job to do (I appreciate we have different models, but I'm sure you had a W202 before)? I gather the cost of the fluid alone is about £60 from the stealership.
Cheers

Me with a W202 Wash your mouth out Its a dead easy job on a 124 I am not sure what is involved with a 202 though. I suspect that the basics are the same i.e. filter change etc. If in doubt use Mb atf. I think you have to buy a dipstick too, but I may be wrong. You 202 owners can confirm that. I posted somewhere on here how to do it. Try a search through my posts.

 

[Alex Argent]

1998 C240 with 114k and as far as I am aware, no ATF change. Still changes very smoothly, but I have been promising myself since 80k that I must get it changed

Yipee - just got 12 litres of MB ATF (P/No. 001-989-21-03-10) on eBay for £41 !! :bannana: Now I feel compelled to do the fluid change myself. :bannana:

LOL

 

[Aletank]

no gearbox probs except new gearbox cooling pipes which fail often

Any idea on cost for replacing the gearbox cooling pipe and whats involved ? Would the ATF need changing at the same time ?
On my last service they commented on my Auto Box Coolant Pipe bein rusty but never got back to me on a price for the job.
I had my ATF changed about 10k ago, now on 70k.

 

[30something]

My 280te with 110k has the 5 speed auto, all forward gears are fine but reverse takes longer to engage (about 3 seconds), looking back through the service history it has only had one fluid change at around 70k (which was about 5 years so) I'm going to get it done again soon.

 

[230K]

My 280te with 110k has the 5 speed auto, all forward gears are fine but reverse takes longer to engage (about 3 seconds), looking back through the service history it has only had one fluid change at around 70k (which was about 5 years so) I'm going to get it done again soon.

5 Speed??? I didnt think the 124's had 5 speeds i thought early 210's still had 4 speeds. Does your gear selector say 1234DNRP?

230K

 

[C240Sport97]

late 124s had the option of 5 speed autos .. my mate's coupe is 5 speed with PRND4321

5 Speed??? I didnt think the 124's had 5 speeds i thought early 210's still had 4 speeds. Does your gear selector say 1234DNRP?

230K

 

[Dieselman]

5 Speed??? I didnt think the 124's had 5 speeds i thought early 210's still had 4 speeds. Does your gear selector say 1234DNRP?

230K

Special order.
This isn't the same box as a 722.6. IIRC the designation is 722.5 and the box is a bit of a hybrid 722.4 with an extra gear and basic electrics.

 

[30something]

Special order.
This isn't the same box as a 722.6. IIRC the designation is 722.5 and the box is a bit of a hybrid 722.4 with an extra gear and basic electrics.

Yep, thats the one, the selector has PRND432, evidently the original owner had a bit of a binge on the options list (to the tune of 5k in total )

I have heard this box isn't the most reliable Merc produced but I'm still glad I have it, it's a nice drive.

 

[230K]

Hi

They say you learn something everyday, that must be my bit for today. :bannana: :bannana:

I am also very very reluctant to post how many miles my E300TD has covered on its autobox (for fear of tempting fate) although i can confirm that i did an oil and filter change yesterday and it took 7.4 litres. Also if anyone is doing an oil change be prepared for the filter holding a small qty of oil which will spill when the filter is disconnected.

230K

 

[GSMGuy]

Welcome. The auto box when you have had the oil changed after 150k will feel smooth as silk! As regards the manual gearbox, they arent very easily rebuilt as members on here can testify. I take it that you one have two rather than three legs so the auto was the right choice


..............Ill get my coat!

Prior to getting my (GORGEOUS) ML270 CDi Tip, I was unluck enough to have bought a 2003 Ford Galaxy (Last year) anyway after 40k, it had had 2 full auto boxes, 3 valve chests and numerous other expensive parts... Luckily all under warranty... My 84k ML runs like a sewing machine, and - fingers crossed - will continue to do so!

Mike

 

[silverarrow]

atf pipe and maf

Any idea on cost for replacing the gearbox cooling pipe and whats involved ? Would the ATF need changing at the same time ?
On my last service they commented on my Auto Box Coolant Pipe bein rusty but never got back to me on a price for the job.
I had my ATF changed about 10k ago, now on 70k.

i paid £125 for maf and new pipes but i am lead to understand cdi mafs are cheaper but recon maf good option they have a12 months warr :bannana: