Hi: I have a 99 E320 with approx 145K miles; I had transmission maintence done at the 100K mark; curious if I might be heading for a rebuild soon? Everything seems fine; wasnt sure the expected life before problems?
As you may know, MB designated these transmission as 'lifetime' - no service required. Many posters on these forums are saying the dealerships are now recommending service (40K to 80K?). I haven't seen a TSB on this so maybe some of the dealers are just looking for a little more profit.
I've seen postings from owners who claimed 250,000+ miles on an E class without major engine/transmission work. That's what I'm shooting for.
or there may be,however if you call around the dealers and indie shops the policy has changed as to lifetime and if you want to wait you will not ever get to the planned miles you state.All the graphite floating around in that transmission will render it useless.Even the newer models are being retro fitted with an extension to the vent that allows fluid changes through the vent tube since they do not even have a dip stick tube.
Couple hundred to change fluid v.s. 4g for a trans you decide
a quote from one of the senior moderators on mercedesshop.com and he is a life time service mb tech with all the cred needed
"That trans should be serviced! Don't listen to MB about lifetime fluid, there isn't any such thing! If the trans is serviced it will LAST 200K to 300K.
WE (dealer) have replaced/repaired at least 2000 of the 722.6 transmissions in the last 2 years! Spend the money."
__________________
MERCEDES BENZ Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
38 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (10 years)"
If you read my post carefully, you will see that I did not say explicitly or implicitly that the transmission did not need to be serviced.
Of course, there is no harm in changing the fluid/filter more frequently. If an owner feels more comfortable doing it, I would be the last person to object (their money, their peace of mind).
If the MB Corporation changes it's policy, I'll be happy to remind people it's changed. But the opinions of certified MB Techs or dealer SA's are not the same.
This issue really comes down to what is meant by 'lifetime'. I don't think anyone believes that means forever. But In my humble opinion it doesn't mean 30,000 miles either. There's prudence and then there's obsession.
I don't see my role here to be telling people what they must do but just sharing any information I might have. I hope they will always weigh the facts and make the decision that's right for them.
i don't know but in Costa Rica the dealer say that every 50k km they have to do some maintenance on the transmission because the topography of the country? this is normal for any situation whit my 99 e320 ? and change the oil every 25k kilometers
Vehicle: 2001 E320 - Brilliant Silver/Ash: MBCA member
Location: The Mountain State
Posts: 6,381
TSB
I don't think we will ever see MB change it's official policy regarding the lifetime transmissions. Another poster said this and I am paraphrasing him: The MB engineers are not the only people establishing MB policies, lawyers have a say in them too.
Think about it: If they change this policy, it leaves them wide open to a huge class action lawsuit by all the unwitting owners who fried their trannys by following the MB Lifetime recommendation.
Lastly, I asked an experienced tech at my dealer about this service. He said, if you are going to keep the car, do it. I suppose if you're going to trade/sell it by 75,000 miles you can save the $200+ and let the next owner take the hit. I had mine serviced at 58,000 (it would have been sooner had I known what I do now) and I'm glad that I did it.
__________________
Ich liebe meinen Mercedes-Benz!
Last edited by Musikmann : 02-28-2008 at 05:44 PM.
Reason: addition
My dealer said around 60-75k to service. I serviced mine at about 75k miles. I think preventative saves you $$$ in the long run. I now have 89k miles on my car so question for OhLord when should I have the next tranny service? How long does the first tranny service last before you need to do it again?
Just did my transmission at 240,000 miles what I belive was the first service. On the side of lower viscosity can't say it was necessary. More details in the topic I made in General section under "My take on "lifetime transmission fluid" "
LOU
Linear Mode
