Persistent jerky 7-speed auto (W/S211) - what is the fix?

[DieselE]

It's a pity there is not an option when you buy a new car to have a 5 speed box instead of the 7 speed.

There is. The only problem is that you have to buy a Chrysler 300 CRD to go round your nice Mercedes 320CDI engine and five speed transmission.

 

[blassberg]

still happy with my 7G

 

[ddentrec]

I think your spot on, but sadly it would not be very smart for an employee to admit there is a recognised problem with the seven speed gearbox.

The annoying thing is it is not just the E and the CLS, the complaints go right through the range.


Good luck getting your cars cured.

Regards,
John

It is a well-known problem in Germany: German car mag 'Auto und Sport' had an article about this issue back in Oct 2006. DaimlerChrysler admit that there is a 'feature team' actively working on this issue, but refuse to be drawn on the fact it is a design or manufacturing issue. And any fix they come up with will be for production vehicles only: it will not be retro-fitted unless you kick up a real stink.

Replacing the 'box will not alway fix the issue: it is simply a design fault and you will need to wait for the modified transmission later this year (and DCUK will not be too keen to change it either due to cost). And the UK dealers are well aware of this issue, too.

Being an engineer myself, I never buy the first version of any new gizmo, be it TVs, mobile phones, dishwashers or 7-G transmissions.

The new DC head is obviously concerned about improving the quality of the MB marque (!).

Curiously, when Hyundai found some of their auto boxes has a missing circlip (resulting in no reverse) they wrote to all affected owners and replaced the transmissions without a quibble: clearly they have got their priorities right.

 

[w124coupe]

7g first shipped into the UK in Dec 2003 (S500) - 3 years ago - when did the "feature team" start working on making a better version?

IMHO 7 gears are unnecessary and all that activity in the first 200 yards from a standing start "using up" the first 3 gears with the Mercs S L O W changes seems to get caught up in the rev range that takes the CDI on and off boost. Ditto with the change down as you slow down.

 

[kth286]

I can do 0 to 60 in my auto, and still be in the same gear that I started off in ie. second gear. Very neat and fast.

Merc have become too clever for their own good.

 

[Vlad]

And in a game of one upmanship, Lexus have just introduced an 8 speed autobox in their new S430 flagship...........pointless

 

[Brian WH]

And in a game of one upmanship, Lexus have just introduced an 8 speed autobox in their new S430 flagship...........pointless

Another reason for not buying one then.

 

[television]

I have been checking around the world and cant find much on this subject and cant find one complaint on the SL forums that use the same box.

Even a google search showed 10 pages of praise, maybe MB only use these pages.

Malcolm

 

[glojo]

I have been checking around the world and cant find much on this subject and cant find one complaint on the SL forums that use the same box.

Even a google search showed 10 pages of praise, maybe MB only use these pages.

Malcolm

I have personal knowledge of two SLK's and there are not that many in Torquay I fully accept you have stated SL and they are a different vehicle but non the less they use the same transmission?

Regards,
John

 

[Mactech]

I have driven many auto boxes. My personal favourite whilst in moition was the Audi Multitronic CVT on 2.5TDI. But it had a very slow take up from rest.
Overall, I have to say I really like my 7 speed Merc 'box. Mine at least is very smooth and used mostly in 'C' mode. I have had many miles with Lexus autos, and like this one much better. My SLK with a conventional 5 speed auto feels positivly vintage by comparison. When they work right, they work well.

 

[Dieselman]

I have driven many auto boxes. My personal favourite whilst in moition was the Audi Multitronic CVT on 2.5TDI. But it had a very slow take up from rest.
Overall, I have to say I really like my 7 speed Merc 'box. Mine at least is very smooth and used mostly in 'C' mode. I have had many miles with Lexus autos, and like this one much better. My SLK with a conventional 5 speed auto feels positivly vintage by comparison. When they work right, they work well.

If it's so smooth why do you use it in C mode?

 

[television]

there is some info out there.

http://www.alldata.com/tsb/Mercedes-Benz/1149145200000_1149750000000_T-27-60-62C/621.html

http://www.alldata.com/tsb/Mercedes-Benz/1152860400000_1153724400000_P-27-60-61E/60611.html
Malcolm

 

[Brian WH]

there is some info out there.

http://www.alldata.com/tsb/Mercedes-Benz/1149145200000_1149750000000_T-27-60-62C/621.html

http://www.alldata.com/tsb/Mercedes-Benz/1152860400000_1153724400000_P-27-60-61E/60611.html
Malcolm

This was previously mentioned on my thread about my problems with the same thing. This is for US cars though.

By the way, mine was reset and is now, after a month or more, 95% better. Still awaiting the latest flash update.

 

[television]

This was previously mentioned on my thread about my problems with the same thing. This is for US cars though.

By the way, mine was reset and is now, after a month or more, 95% better. Still awaiting the latest flash update.

Sorry i did not see that, I see that there are a lot more,very handy if it is a flash fix, I would hate the thought of the engine comming out of a nearly new car. So pleased that you are getting there.

Malcolm

 

[marcos]

This was previously mentioned on my thread about my problems with the same thing. This is for US cars though.

By the way, mine was reset and is now, after a month or more, 95% better. Still awaiting the latest flash update.

Mine is really smooth and after speaking to my service manager he reckons that any gearbox made after 6/2006 should be free from gremlins, if you are still getting these issues then it may be your car was actually manufactered well before this date and has been sitting around for ages. Mind you my service manager does appear to be a bit of a ****

 

[Mactech]

If it's so smooth why do you use it in C mode?

Because it uses lower rpm and pulls more strongly without downshifting. Less noise, less fuss and less fuel!

 

[w124coupe]

Bit of an update....

Had the 27.5k (second) service today (B-service £241 using my oil) at Mercedes of Worcester and asked for the gearbox to be looked at again (first time for them).

They installed the latest ECU and gearbox update, reset adaptation and then confirmed the gearbox fault still present.

They have booked the car for a 2 day slot (C-class loaner provided) and will change the gearbox valve body, roadtest and then swap the gearbox if required.

Nice valet, box of sweets, satisfaction survey. Oh, and they swapped all the (rusty) wheel bolts and locking bolts for the new improved ones.

One thing's for sure, I will never go near S-on-A Merc again as I'm glad to have found a real dealer at last - even if it's a bit out of my normal route.

Highly recommended.

 

[w124coupe]

Update.

Merc Worcester took the car in last Thursday and changed the valve body, roadtested and the gearbox still faulty.

They asked Merc UK for permission to change the box and finally today heard back - its been refused!

Apparently MB UK "technical" say the fault lies outside the box and is software related around the way the software applies engine torque at the time of a gearchange. Merc have NO timescale for when this new software will be ready and have told the dealer to "put me back in my car" to await the new software.

I will post a copy of my complaint letter on this forum and update everyone as and when I get some semblence of "service" from MB UK.

The car is utterly unacceptable and I'm totally sick of every new passenger commenting on the jerky changes in my "quality" car....

Having finally found a good dealer, MB UK are found lacking - so much for the "new" MB..

 

[w124coupe]

FYI e-mail and copy letter to MK CAC..... updates (hopefully) to follow....

Reference Mercedes E-class E280 Estate registration xxxxx VIN WDB2112202xxxxxx



Dear sir, I am writing to formally complain about the faulty 7-speed auto gearbox on my less than one year old car.



The car is currently with Mercedes Worcester who have spent several days performing diagnostic actions on the car (gearbox adaptation data reset, new valve body, new software) to try to resolve faulty gearchanges in the first 3 gears when the engine and gearbox are fully warm:



All changes 1->2, 2->3 and 3->2 and 2->1 are jerky and often “clunk” the drive-train and rock the car and passengers when in slow traffic.


When braking the gearbox changes down and fails to match the engine torque correctly - either causing the car to pull forwards or imposing excessive engine braking – this makes smooth stops impossible and unnerves passengers.


When braking relatively quickly (for instance up to an A-road roundabout) and then accelerating away, the car hesitates for around half a second, eventually changes down with a lurch and then surges away in an uncontrolled manner.


I have today been told that the dealer request to Mercedes UK to replace the gearbox has been refused and that they are to “put me back in the car” to await a future software fix that is anticipated to cure the problem. I am also told that there is no timescale for this fix and that I am supposed to “put up with” the fault in the meantime.



This attitude and proposed solution is totally unacceptable.





I have also taken the opportunity to:



Be a passenger in a similar model with the same engine and gearbox combination – it is smooth and does not suffer from the faults listed above.



Take two test drives in dealer stock of the same car (used) – they are also fine and do not suffer these faults







I therefore require you to assist the dealer to quickly effect repairs to the car that make the gearbox function correctly.



I expect contact from you Tuesday 27th March on my mobile – 07702 xxxxxx – BEFORE I agree to hand back the service loan vehicle and take back my faulty vehicle.





Regards



xxxxxxxxxxx

 

[glojo]

I carried out a bit of research and there are any number of TSBs about this:

P-B-27.60/61b JAN06 – Rough Shift Quality
211.056/070/256
Rough 1-2, 3-2 and 2-1 gearshifts – check oil level, perform shift adaptations, replace Circlip (part # A220 994 03 40), and replace any additional parts as required upon mechanical cause.

P-B-27.60/69 FEB06 – Uncomfortable Shifting Quality of the 3-2 downshift While Coming to a Stop
211.056/256 VIN A874921 to A918949
3-2 downshift or in some cases 4-3 downshift while decelerating – new software install.

P-B-27.50/59a MAR06 replaces the flange and valve body

If all the above has failed to cure the issue then I'm surprised DaimlerChrysler have refused to exchange the transmission. I don't blame you for writing the letter, but I'm old fashioned and much prefer the written word (on real paper ) I certainly would not sit back and wish you luck getting this issue sorted.

John