ml420 7g thumping into 1st! is it the end?

[Pittnathan]

Hi. I've just bought my ml and already I've gearbox concerns. When pulling away quickly in 1st it seems to rev hard and then suddenly drop/thump into gear. Also, again when accelerating hard it feels like the traction control kicks between 1st and 2nd, it pauses and then goes again.

Has anyone any experience with this? I've a shady warranty that's due to run out in 4 weeks and need to catch this soon.


Please help!

 

[E270 Owner]

When pulling away quickly in 1st it seems to rev hard and then suddenly drop/thump into gear.
Also, again when accelerating hard it feels like the traction control kicks between 1st and 2nd, it pauses and then goes again.

I've a shady warranty that's due to run out in 4 weeks and need to catch this soon.

There's your answer............you still here ?

 

[Pittnathan]

Still here! What's the answer?!

 

[DSM10000]

Still here! What's the answer?!

The part that is highlighted in bold!

You have a warranty so presumably the car was bought from a dealer?

There is a presumption in law under the Sale of Goods Act that goods sold are fit for purpose so unless the car was incredibly cheap, had the fault identified in the sale particulars or the fault was so obvious that a reasonable person would be expected to have noticed it then you have legal redress.

 

[Pittnathan]

Oh right. The warranty isn't a particularly good one to be honest. For starters it doesn't cover diagnostics and then only pays out for the first £1000 of repairs. That's why I was wondering if anyone had a guess at the fault I described. From reading this forum I'm guessing valve body......but hoping not!

Would you hazard a guess?

 

[DSM10000]

Oh right. The warranty isn't a particularly good one to be honest. For starters it doesn't cover diagnostics and then only pays out for the first £1000 of repairs. That's why I was wondering if anyone had a guess at the fault I described. From reading this forum I'm guessing valve body......but hoping not!

Would you hazard a guess?

Ignore the warranty, 3rd party ones are often riddled with clauses designed to make claiming difficult.

First contact the dealer, be polite but firm, point out that a fault such as this so early in your ownership is disappointing and ask how they wish to resolve it. Keep a note of who you spoke with, the date and time of your call and be persistent.

I would not quote anything from the Sale of Goods Act initially but see how they react. Do not allow any other garage to inspect the car without the supplying garage giving written permission.

As for anyone guessing, this is pointless, it needs a proper diagnostic session.

 

[Pittnathan]

Okay. Thanks for the advice

 

[panason1c]

The 7g boxes do seem to have issues regarding non-smooth gear changes, there have been various software updates over the years, perhaps yours is in need of one?, in which case its a MB main dealer job.

 

[Pittnathan]

I was wondering if that may help.

I'm considering getting it remapped once I'm sure it's okay/had it repaired. I'm not sure now the gearbox would cope with circa 380hp and 800lbs of torque. Might make it fall to pieces!

 

[Howard]

I wouldn't put 800 lb/ft through a 7g

They aren't renowned for torque handling ability , that's why the AMG's use the 5g

 

[Pittnathan]

It does concern me a bit. There's a guy on YouTube who has a 420hp,1000lb e420 with 7g and no problems. I think I'm trying to convince myself there though!

 

[DSM10000]

There's a guy on YouTube who has a 420hp,1000lb e420 with 7g and no problems.

He has no problems yet!

The 7G gearbox is rated for a maximum torque of 542 lb-ft in standard form.

 

[Pittnathan]

Bloodyhell, I'm pretty close to that in stock form with 515lb. I might do it anyway, it'd be great whilst it lasts!

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

It does concern me a bit. There's a guy on YouTube who has a 420hp,1000lb e420 with 7g and no problems. I think I'm trying to convince myself there though!

I assume this is Nm, rather than ftlb?

 

[Pittnathan]

Oh yeah. My bad. I misread it. Still a bloody lot though!