C class auto box - am I missing something ...

[c250td]

I was always told that Mercedes make the best auto boxes in the world and never to buy one with a manual gearbox.
I've driven various Toyotas, Volvos and Nissans all of which had seemless gearchanges. The Volvo was brilliant.

I now have a 98 C250 TD saloon. The gear change from 1st to 2nd has a definite 'kick' every time and the others can be noticeable. Driving around town it can feel like a car where the clutch is slipping.
Now occasionally when I engage reverse there is a loud metallic clunk.  My missus is unimpressed.
Is this normal for this marque? Do diesels and automatics not mix ?
It's under warranty, the dealer reckons it's normal so do I put up with it ?

best regards

 

[Jim_C180]

C class auto box

One of the reasons I bought my Merc was because of the silky smooth gearchange and I am not dissapointed. You can hardly tell when it is changing gear unless you floor the accelerator.

I have driven my dads, C43 AMG, E320CDi and my father in laws E240 and they are all the same too.

Incidently, I really wanted a C250TD and took two for test drives and they were superb, unfortuneately I couldnt quite afford them.

I would suggest you take it back to the garage again, why not try driving another Merc and see how that compares.

 

[DaveT]

C class auto box

I've got a 96 c250td with 67k on and the only time the change is noticed is if my missis boots the throttle first thing, and then it is only the first/ second (or second/third in W) change up.
 I've recently had the auto fluid checked by a good indy in Burton on Trent and he says it looks and smells ok. I may have it changed at 72k service. (10litres @ £8/litre )
 I respectfully suggest you consult another dealer/expert because yours is talking bullshit. Hope it is nothing sinister. Have a run up to B'ham and let Andy Gayle have go- he'll soon tell you!

regards, dave t.

 

[altreed]

C class auto box

When my 5sp auto started to feel 'jerky' it degraded into a knackered gearbox, PDQ, so it is worth taking it to a knowledgable gearbox specialist.

Since the expensive repair, it has not been quite the same, I am a little dissappointed with it, the gear changes are still poor. but at least it goes!

I hope you have not got a problematic gearbox.  Is it a 5sp and what is the mileage.  There is an ongoing debate about the longievity of the oil in 5sp boxes and subsequent servicing.

 

[simon]

C class auto box

C250TD
5 speed autoboxes/diesel of your era should be silky smooth.The changes slur but if *booted* will be somewhat more abrupt.There is also the turbo lag situation which takes a little getting used to. As Altreed says there are known problems with some boxes around
the 50K-70k mark.
Ernest Sidesman

 

[imported_dieselman]

C class auto box

A 98 car is going to have a 5 speed box.
The symptoms are classic of a box in trouble.

INSIST dealership firstly changes the fluid and filter and agrees to arrange for the warranty company to extend the warranty on the gearbox.

If the fluid change doesn't help (it will), then the valve body is sticking for some other reason and will need to be replaced.

Ps. Diesels and automatics mix well as the torque converter has more to go at.

(Edited by dieselman at 2:52 pm on Sep. 28, 2002)