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

[w124coupe]

Hi John, apparently with my VIN (April 06), only the adaption data, software and valve body TSBs apply (the circlip etc was earlier). Before now, the dealer was then being allowed to change the box out.

I feel for the dealer - they have to follow the 3-step diag process and then get a flat NO to any further action and are expected to send the customer on his way driving a bad advert for the brand with a vague plan for a fix sometime in the future - this gearbox has been out for years and so the software should be able to change gear by now!

I can't even get rid of the damn thing while its like this and the strain on the drivetrain from the jerks makes me fear for its later reliability.

They WILL fix it, if they insist on me taking the car back to wait for "future fix", I will immediately ask What Car to name and shame - they seem to have a good track record in making Mr Fat Uncaring manufacturer behave - and then take them to court if necessary (Sale of Goods Act, fit for purpose).

I am enjoying the C-class estate Merc Worcester service car - nice and smooth and a very good cruiser.....

 

[Brian WH]

An update on mine.

I had a courtesy call from MB HQ on Friday, asking me how my CLS was going. I said very good apart from the gearbox problem I had. She said she would contact the Dealer and get it fixed. On Monday I got a call from the Dealer and it is going in next Tuesday, with hire car available.

To be fair the gearbox is 98% OK as it was really only in the cold weather that it jerked in the lower gears. Now it very rarely jerks so I have not bothered to do anything about asking for the promised flash upgrade. I do not want it to go back to the problem I had when it was last reset.

I will let you know the outcome.

 

[glojo]

I will immediately ask What Car to name and shame - they seem to have a good track record in making Mr Fat Uncaring manufacturer behave - and then take them to court if necessary (Sale of Goods Act, fit for purpose).

I am enjoying the C-class estate Merc Worcester service car - nice and smooth and a very good cruiser.....

Hi,
I am amazed at the attitude of DaimlerChrysler over this incident, it is so alien to what we usually hear. There has DEFINITELY been a number of discontented Mercedes-Benz owners that have had the transmission replaced because of this issue.

DaimlerChrysler have a policy in force regarding customer relations, but in my experience the instant you make threats about solicitors, journalists, or any other organisation, then it just puts there back up. Someone on this forum talked about a firm fist within a velvet glove (or similar)

The snag is once threats are made, they are made. I am with you on this issue. The car is not of a standard you would expect, and it is not a vehicle you feel confident about driving. I would not accept it back until this issue is resolved.

Good luck,
John

 

[w124coupe]

The CAC called me today to say thanks for the e-mail, customer case opened and they would update me soon.

Still in the C-class, courtesy of MB Worcester.

John, I think the old ways mostly still work - in writing, state the issue and firmly state the required remedy, keep emotion to a minimum - all on one sheet! I don't do threats so the rest will be used only if normal customer service cannot be resumed without.

Coincidentally, my loaner was supposed to go to another customer tonight just about to start the 3-step diag process for a similar jerky-box - another CDI.The dealer has made him aware of the situation so he is waiting to see.

 

[glojo]

The CAC called me today to say thanks for the e-mail, customer case opened and they would update me soon.

Still in the C-class, courtesy of MB Worcester.

John, I think the old ways mostly still work - in writing, state the issue and firmly state the required remedy, keep emotion to a minimum - all on one sheet! I don't do threats so the rest will be used only if normal customer service cannot be resumed without.

Coincidentally, my loaner was supposed to go to another customer tonight just about to start the 3-step diag process for a similar jerky-box - another CDI.The dealer has made him aware of the situation so he is waiting to see.

I think the 320CDI bit might be a red herring, but I take onboard what your saying. In the UK the CDI is a very popular choice so it follows that we will see quite a few with this problem. In the US the bigger petrol V8's are more popular and owners are suffering similar proplems.

When we first took delivery of our E-class, I felt like we were doing the research and development for Mercedes-Benz. Guess what? With this latest 7-speed transmission, I think the customer is again doing the development. In the good old days the latest models would be test driven for thousands and thousands of miles in the most arduous conditions just to clear any teething problems any new vehicles might have. Nowadays this development has been cut right back with just the odd one or two actually going out onto real roads in real conditions.

John

 

[Robbo]

In the good old days the latest models would be test driven for thousands and thousands of miles in the most arduous conditions just to clear any teething problems any new vehicles might have. Nowadays this development has been cut right back with just the odd one or two actually going out onto real roads in real conditions.

i think thats true of MBs from 2000-2005 or so, but MB seem to have learned a lesson as the new C class has had very extensive development. IIRC hundreds of cars with a total of around 15 million test miles.

 

[glojo]

i think thats true of MBs from 2000-2005 or so, but MB seem to have learned a lesson as the new C class has had very extensive development. IIRC hundreds of cars with a total of around 15 million test miles.

If that were true then how do we explain the ongoing problems with the 7 speed transmission? This has been creating a few problems ever since it was introduced, and this is certainly on vehicles AFTER 2005 plus this problem is manifesting itself throughout the range. IF there had been genuine testing of these vehicles then either the problems were ignored, OR the testing was not carried out in a correct manner? I fully accept that test mileage is being carried out, but to get the full benefits of proper development, then this mileage MUST be carried out in normal road going conditions where every single option is used extensively. The odd car does this but most testing is now carried out on dedicated testing circuits.

I certainly agree that Mercedes-Benz have learnt a lesson with reliability issues. On the last two visits to the dealership our car has had a thorough inspection that is required by DaimlerChrysler.

John

 

[Robbo]

This article is interesting.

however I do agree that the 7 speed auto seems to be a flawed design. If it was a simple fix, they'd have managed to sort it out ages ago. The fact that they still havent says to me that it is never going to be totally right.

 

[glojo]

This article is interesting.

however I do agree that the 7 speed auto seems to be a flawed design. If it was a simple fix, they'd have managed to sort it out ages ago. The fact that they still havent says to me that it is never going to be totally right.

Hi Robbo,
That link highlights my point in spades and goes a very long way to explaining why we are being used for the development of these vehicles. These test tracks are great for clocking up the miles and being able to simulate different road surfaces, but you CANNOT simulate real world activiities.

Would they use computers instead of drivers just to keep the cars going 24hrs a day? In one of the motoring magazines they featured a few of the manufacturers test tracks that are located world-wide and then listed the manufacturers that used them. Test tracks are not real roads with the daily conditions that drivers are forced to endure.

John

 

[Robbo]

Let's see how reliable the new C class is. I have a feeling (apart from the 7G auto) it will be the most reliable benz since the good old cars like the W124.

 

[DieselE]

It doesn't matter how many test miles Mercedes put under their belt with any new model. Joe Public will invariably drive the car in a way nobody previously envisaged and if there are any weaknesses he will find them.

 

[glojo]

It doesn't matter how many test miles Mercedes put under their belt with any new model. Joe Public will invariably drive the car in a way nobody previously envisaged and if there are any weaknesses he will find them.

Absolutely, they should employ Mr Joseph Public to be a test driver.

John Public

 

[w124coupe]

New 7G box in the process of being fitted to my car now - est. completion Sat lunchtime.

Big thumbs up to Merc Worcester for their help with the MB UK negotiations.

 

[R/T.E49]

Hi, I work at MB dealer and we have had loads of 7spd (722.9) gearbox complaints regarding 3-2 and 2-1 changes. Most have turnned out to be the circlip fault. Easy job to do.