E class ZF gearbox information needed
Discussion
mybrainhurts said:
Bugger, you've rattled my confidence in said Merc independent now...
Does anybody know if the boxes are strong?
A Merc dealer told me the box fluid only needs changing ONCE, at 37,000 miles. That's not right, is it?
The boxes are very strong, essentially the same across the range including Bi-Turbo V12 models of the same vintage. The mechanicals are broadly the same as the AMG MCT transmission too, just using a torque converter rather than wet clutch pack. So they can take big torque (1000Nm) and big miles.Does anybody know if the boxes are strong?
A Merc dealer told me the box fluid only needs changing ONCE, at 37,000 miles. That's not right, is it?
The oil and filter change is a must. Yes, the official line from Mercedes-Benz is one change at 37k, but in my experience it's worth doing EVERY 37k to aid longevity. Change the fluid on a 100k+ mileage car that hasn't had it done for 63k and you'll instantly notice a big difference. Yes there is a magnet in the sump to retain swarf, but the fluid still deteriorates over time with heat and Wear. Reliability wise they're generally ok, but if you find one that hasn't had it's electrohydraulic/mechatronics plate that attaches to the valve body renewed, then it'll definitely need one at some point. The lock up clutches in the torque converter can act up and cause a judder/vibration through the drivetrain in some cases too, but I wouldn't say it's a given. I have seen planetary gear sets fail but it's few and far between, I'd say that on the whole they're a great transmission.
mybrainhurts said:
Thanks.
This electrohydraulic/mechatronics plate renewal, of which you speak.
Has a ring of £££££££££s to it, any idea what sort of cost we're looking at and how many times it might be needed in a car that's done 200,000 miles, to be run up to 400,000 miles?
I'd take a punt at around £500-700 at a specialist all in, and maybe £1500 or more at a dealer - they will most likely only sell you the entire valvebody rather than just the conductor plate. I've been out of the loop with Mercedes-Benz for a couple of years now though. As far as how many times, it's hard to say, although post 2008 transmissions had a lot of niggles worked out and that includes the replacement conductor plates. If it's already had a replacement then you should be ok (no guarantees though obviously). The original plates were failing in cars with as few as 30K miles when I was doing them regularly. This electrohydraulic/mechatronics plate renewal, of which you speak.
Has a ring of £££££££££s to it, any idea what sort of cost we're looking at and how many times it might be needed in a car that's done 200,000 miles, to be run up to 400,000 miles?
mybrainhurts said:
Thanks.
This electrohydraulic/mechatronics plate renewal, of which you speak.
Has a ring of £££££££££s to it, any idea what sort of cost we're looking at and how many times it might be needed in a car that's done 200,000 miles, to be run up to 400,000 miles?
Although I have the 5g box which is very robust, I had the oil changed as reqd at 37.5k, and then every 70k ish. This has served me well with the last 3 E classes, all doing big mileages with no gearbox issues.This electrohydraulic/mechatronics plate renewal, of which you speak.
Has a ring of £££££££££s to it, any idea what sort of cost we're looking at and how many times it might be needed in a car that's done 200,000 miles, to be run up to 400,000 miles?
I am halfway there with my current car, ie nearly 300k and no problems with the gearbox so far. It has had 3 fluid changes in that time. You need to make sure whoever does it flushes the oil out of the torque converter as well as draining the box.
Edited by Monkeylegend on Thursday 30th March 09:04
mybrainhurts said:
Bugger, you've rattled my confidence in said Merc independent now...
That is a bit strange - one of MB's "things" is they make their own auto boxes.mybrainhurts said:
A Merc dealer told me the box fluid only needs changing ONCE, at 37,000 miles. That's not right, is it?
MB have chopped and changed with the ATF interval. Mine (5 speed) was supposedly sealed for life but I got it changed at about 50K. If anything, it felt worse - maybe just in my head, but I was more aware of changes than before (especially down-shifts).ATF change is called for on later cars at 5yrs / 75K miles. MB do stll say it's a one-off change.
scenario8 said:
There is something slightly attractive and absurd about a thread balking at costs associated with potentially adding 200,000 miles to a car that's already at least 200,000 miles and 5/6/7 years old.
I confess I'm curious as to the bigger picture here.
3-4 years old. Just looking at a different way to finance a workhorse at the lowest possible cost. I confess I'm curious as to the bigger picture here.
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