Transmission Failure on '99 e300TD

christyb · 05-12-2008, 02:28 PM

My 1999 e300 TD has about 115,000 miles on it (StarMark ran out 15,000 miles ago...). Last night the car first sounded and felt like a flat tire, pulled into a parking spot to check it out, tires fine. Put it in reverse and lots of clunking car wouldn't move. Let it rest for a few minutes, got it in reverse (lots of noises), car was clunking, rattling, grinding, etc... Had it towed to the mechanic.

Just got off the phone - needs a new transmission for a paltry (gulp!) $4,500.

This seems unusual to me at this mileage. Is it possible that it is something else?

Thanks,
Christy

christyb · 05-12-2008, 07:38 PM

Hi,

Called "Sun Valley Mercedes Parts" and was told that transmission failures for 96-99 is "a common breakdown". What?!

Was told that the transmissions are defective - they have a defective brass bushing. From 2000 on they are using a roller bearing instead.

Anyone have any experience with this? More information? Help?!

Thanks

Untertürkheim · 05-13-2008, 08:56 AM

When did you last have the transmission serviced, and how often have you done that? If not done every 30k miles, you know why the transmission failed. Transmission failures are usually not a quesiton of a defective transmission, but rather a lack of service.

SuperTurbo · 05-13-2008, 08:12 PM

Well... since it blow up already, so first of all... you should ask yourself, what is your budget to fix it?

Should you just scrap it get a new car, or fix it?

For MB's car tranny, I would recommend you to call those junkyard (Specially those garage who deals with Euro cars), and see how much does it cost to get a used one. (Of course, call a few MB dealer too, sometimes dealer offer cheaper stuff than the street, and dealer to dealer do have a different price list for those big things too)

Base on what you wrote, it really sounds like those teeth on the gear is gone, not really just bushing issue...

SuperTurbo · 05-13-2008, 09:13 PM

try some places like this

http://germanstar.net/

may find what you need too!

Good Luck Christy

Untertürkheim · 05-13-2008, 09:26 PM

I would be very careful in buying a used transmission, but if you can get one cheap enough and with a warranty, consider it. I know Mark at Sun Valley, I would reccomend them for a rebuild if it is a considerable savings over a new one. Most importantly, the person doing the labor should must be computent, that will make all the difference. Also, make sure you use the OEM transmission fluid, and service every 30k from now on.

christyb · 06-05-2008, 09:53 PM

Sorry for the delay in posting...

No, it has not been serviced - it has (had!) a "filled for life" transmission!

I have since found out that on 02-18-05 MB released a WIS stating that the transmission fluid should be changed at 39k miles. Only problem - nobody told me!

The servicing dealer is stating that it is MBUSA's fault since they didn't notify owners; MBUSA is stating that it is the dealers fault since they are responsible for notifying owners.

While all this finger pointing is going on I still have a non-operable vehicle!

The dealer estimate is $6300. Before I found the WIS they had offered a 15% discount and a rental car but since I found the document the finger pointing...

I contacted the dealer I purchased from (I purchased from an out of state dealer and had it shipped to me in another state), and they are looking into what they can do for me.

jamieh · 06-06-2008, 08:05 AM

I'll never understand the US's high prices of Transmissons repairs/replacements.

In Ireland a complete Tranny rebuild cost betw €1500 and €1600. Is replaces all internal component just retaining the Tranny casing.

This is for both my 5 speed Tranny in my w210 and my brothers 4 speed tranny in his w124.

In realtion to a tranny service, taxi drivers in ireland (lots have W210's), repalce fuild and filter at betw 100-120k miles and then again @ about 200K which usually keeps them going till 250k miles.

I did mine at about 120K and will probably do it again at 150k.

Regards
Jamie

Untertürkheim · 06-06-2008, 08:34 AM

Best of luck getting them to give you a new transmission, at the very least you should get it closer to cost. You may want to use this time to have them replace the differential fluid, and the power steering fluid and filter (using the correct MB synthetics of course). Since those other "lifetime" systems have a longer life-time when serviced.

jjay911 · 06-13-2008, 04:24 AM

Hey Christy I will buy your car from you at a fair price if your ready. I have been looking to get one of these exact years. Jeff

05-12-2008, 02:28 PM	#1
christyb Newbie Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 3	Transmission Failure on '99 e300TD My 1999 e300 TD has about 115,000 miles on it (StarMark ran out 15,000 miles ago...). Last night the car first sounded and felt like a flat tire, pulled into a parking spot to check it out, tires fine. Put it in reverse and lots of clunking car wouldn't move. Let it rest for a few minutes, got it in reverse (lots of noises), car was clunking, rattling, grinding, etc... Had it towed to the mechanic. Just got off the phone - needs a new transmission for a paltry (gulp!) $4,500. This seems unusual to me at this mileage. Is it possible that it is something else? Thanks, Christy

05-12-2008, 07:38 PM	#2
christyb Newbie Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 3	More Information Hi, Called "Sun Valley Mercedes Parts" and was told that transmission failures for 96-99 is "a common breakdown". What?! Was told that the transmissions are defective - they have a defective brass bushing. From 2000 on they are using a roller bearing instead. Anyone have any experience with this? More information? Help?! Thanks

06-05-2008, 09:53 PM	#7
christyb Newbie Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 3	Sorry for the delay in posting... No, it has not been serviced - it has (had!) a "filled for life" transmission! I have since found out that on 02-18-05 MB released a WIS stating that the transmission fluid should be changed at 39k miles. Only problem - nobody told me! The servicing dealer is stating that it is MBUSA's fault since they didn't notify owners; MBUSA is stating that it is the dealers fault since they are responsible for notifying owners. While all this finger pointing is going on I still have a non-operable vehicle! The dealer estimate is $6300. Before I found the WIS they had offered a 15% discount and a rental car but since I found the document the finger pointing... I contacted the dealer I purchased from (I purchased from an out of state dealer and had it shipped to me in another state), and they are looking into what they can do for me. Last edited by christyb; 06-05-2008 at 09:56 PM.

06-13-2008, 04:24 AM	#10
jjay911 Super Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Socal Posts: 752	Hey Christy I will buy your car from you at a fair price if your ready. I have been looking to get one of these exact years. Jeff __________________ JJ currently owned cars.. 92 500SL for sale 74 Fiat x19 Dallara Wide Body race car Still restoring 76 Lancia Scorpion 69 Mystery Race Car 91 BMW 535i(yea I went over to the dark side)

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05-13-2008, 08:56 AM	#3
Untertürkheim MBWorld Fanatic! Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,206	When did you last have the transmission serviced, and how often have you done that? If not done every 30k miles, you know why the transmission failed. Transmission failures are usually not a quesiton of a defective transmission, but rather a lack of service.

05-13-2008, 08:12 PM	#4
SuperTurbo Newbie Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Toronto Canada Posts: 19	Well... since it blow up already, so first of all... you should ask yourself, what is your budget to fix it? Should you just scrap it get a new car, or fix it? For MB's car tranny, I would recommend you to call those junkyard (Specially those garage who deals with Euro cars), and see how much does it cost to get a used one. (Of course, call a few MB dealer too, sometimes dealer offer cheaper stuff than the street, and dealer to dealer do have a different price list for those big things too) Base on what you wrote, it really sounds like those teeth on the gear is gone, not really just bushing issue...

05-13-2008, 09:13 PM	#5
SuperTurbo Newbie Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Toronto Canada Posts: 19	try some places like this http://germanstar.net/ may find what you need too! Good Luck Christy

05-13-2008, 09:26 PM	#6
Untertürkheim MBWorld Fanatic! Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,206	I would be very careful in buying a used transmission, but if you can get one cheap enough and with a warranty, consider it. I know Mark at Sun Valley, I would reccomend them for a rebuild if it is a considerable savings over a new one. Most importantly, the person doing the labor should must be computent, that will make all the difference. Also, make sure you use the OEM transmission fluid, and service every 30k from now on.

06-06-2008, 08:05 AM	#8
jamieh Almost a Member! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Dublin, IE Posts: 50	I'll never understand the US's high prices of Transmissons repairs/replacements. In Ireland a complete Tranny rebuild cost betw €1500 and €1600. Is replaces all internal component just retaining the Tranny casing. This is for both my 5 speed Tranny in my w210 and my brothers 4 speed tranny in his w124. In realtion to a tranny service, taxi drivers in ireland (lots have W210's), repalce fuild and filter at betw 100-120k miles and then again @ about 200K which usually keeps them going till 250k miles. I did mine at about 120K and will probably do it again at 150k. Regards Jamie

06-06-2008, 08:34 AM	#9
Untertürkheim MBWorld Fanatic! Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,206	Best of luck getting them to give you a new transmission, at the very least you should get it closer to cost. You may want to use this time to have them replace the differential fluid, and the power steering fluid and filter (using the correct MB synthetics of course). Since those other "lifetime" systems have a longer life-time when serviced.