I have recently purchased a 2002 Mercedes A-class automatic. The whole vehicle is turning into a nightmare that I wish I had never clapped eyes on, but I have particular concern about the gearbox.
It is supposed to have a "learning" capability that adapts according to one's driving style. I have found that not only does it sometimes refuse to kick down when there is patently spare capacity in lower gears (eg at 2,000 rpm in 3rd it will not drop to 2nd (sometimes)), but at others it will kick down 2 cogs and belt up to the redline. Then again, if you "confuse" the poor thing by rolling almost to a stop in (say) 4th, it takes a good 2 seconds if you plant your foot on the gas to do anything at all.
Has anyone else had experiences with "clever" automatic gearboxes?
Thanks
Unhappy Eric's son
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It sounds absolutely dire! Isn't it under a manufacturer's or dealer warranty. A German gearbox that 'learns'? Doesn't fit in with the national stereotype IMHO!
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I have a 5 speed M-B auto that currently & hitherto has performed
admirably.It has a learning capacity for regular individual drivers & adopts gearchanges to suit their style.There are known problems with the internal valve gear at around 50-70k on some boxes which can be expensive to put right.
As Armitage S. above has suggested,it has a fault, which hopefully should still be covered by guarantee.If it is outside that period,get an estimate from your franchised dealer & approach M-B Milton Keynes in a logical& reasonable manner & they will probably assist financially.
SWimon T.
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The 5-sp auto box in our ML430 is programmed really well. Hard kickdown (really 'floor it') always goes instantly to redline acceleration. It does all the right things, i.e. hold a lower gear or even change down while decelerating, hold the high gear on the motorway, depending on how you are driving. Easily as good as in the Audi A8 and (new shape) BMW328 I had last.
The only gripe is the poor selector gate. It took me a while to realise you had to be careful slipping into 'D', otherwise it goes to '4' and you end up without fifth.
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Thanks for the advice, people. Only ever having owned "normal" automatics before, I didn't know what to expect of this one. I will get it looked at by a dealer & keep you informed.
Cheers
son of
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Had the car test driven by (another) dealer today. They have confirmed that it needs "a new controller, from Germany, mate". Seems like tip-top quality from the 3-pointed star, on a 6-month-old car with 5k on the clock...
I await my new controller with baited breath. They'd better not try to invoice me for it...
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Anything under 2.8 litres is not a real M/B;just a car with a three-pointed badge!!
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ES
I have a 2001 C200K and its auto gearbox has performed admirably and hopefully will continue to. I note that your local agent has now diagnosed the problem and has ordered the fix. I would be obliged if you would update the site as to the success of the proposed cure.
I have a particular concern regarding the sealed for life recommendation fom MB for this box with regard to automatic transmission fluid and the boxes longevity. I understand the box can be drained (but not the torque converter) so I am planning to have new ATF and a new ATF filter added at my next service, which will be 30K. I currently change the engine oil myself at 5000 mile intervals as 10K is excessive in my view for semi synth'.
Regards,
JL
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The saga continues! My local dealer fitted a replacement something-or-other to the gearbox... and that part was defective as well apparently. So after weeks of waiting with a dodgy/dangerous gearbox, my car (March 2002, 5,000 miles on the clock) is now off the road completely until replacement parts arrive. Again.
They offered me £11,000 to buy the car back, but this represents far too great a loss for me, so I am stuck with it/them.
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Very few dealers fully understand auto boxes, many sub out the work to specialists such as www.autotechs.co.uk
Have just tried the link and it doesn't work. Excellent service (and advice) from them 5 years ago (so are they still in business?).
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