E 320 CDI auto box

[anchorman]

Hi,
I'm in negotiations with a dealer to buy a 2001, E 320 cdi estate. Prior to taking a test drive he said there was a problem with the gearbox. He stated the car had just been valeted and that water had got in somewhere and the box was'nt changing up past second gear. It would have to go to a Merc dealer where it would be plugged in and reset, a common fault he told me. However on the test drive the car was faultless and he said it must of cleared itself. Is there a known problem with the box or electronics that control it that is an easy fix? or should I walk away. The car has covered 80000 miles with a full M.B history.I was most impressed with it otherwise.
Thanks, Neil.

 

[television]

Hi,
I'm in negotiations with a dealer to buy a 2001, E 320 cdi estate. Prior to taking a test drive he said there was a problem with the gearbox. He stated the car had just been valeted and that water had got in somewhere and the box was'nt changing up past second gear. It would have to go to a Merc dealer where it would be plugged in and reset, a common fault he told me. However on the test drive the car was faultless and he said it must of cleared itself. Is there a known problem with the box or electronics that control it that is an easy fix? or should I walk away. The car has covered 80000 miles with a full M.B history.I was most impressed with it otherwise.
Thanks, Neil.

Ther are a few problems going around with the exact same symptons, gear box faults in the main, self correct on re starting the car, in other words,you can be driving along and the car will go into the limp home mode, if you turn off and re start, any gear box fault clears itself, till the next time. Clearing any fault codes will not help anything. That is more than likely, why the previous owner got rid of it, and MB could not fix it.
Find yourself another one, there are plenty out there.

Malcolm

 

[OlafMaxwell]

I have to agree with the previous post. although there was a known problem I have not suffered it but it was quite common to hear of problems. Thre are some specialists who might be a better bet than an MB dealer. The MB dealers are not known for customer orientation and the specialist might be more truthful/knowledgable. Two names have been seen here, George Fraser, Andy Gayle, there are more if you look in Mercedes Enthusiast. Otherwise a fine car but lots of known problems. Don't expect it to be cheap to run and make sure you get a warranty on that transmission problem even if all appears well. Look for rust under doorseals and on front cross member, dodgy air conditioning, brake fluid leakage at the ESP/ABS pump, check the rear seat folds down ok. See if the Mobilo 30 year warranty applies, ther eare conditions but it is very useful. The service recod may tell you enough, or get this checked with an MB dealer. The Mobilo will look after most rust problems unless there has been accident damage not repaired by an MB dealer. This site and everyone on it is very helpful so do ask the questions!!

 

[davebox]

Walk away. Ive had a few issues with my C220 that the dealer has "fixed", Then the fault comes back Etc etc.

As above. If you want one there are loads about. Prob cheaper than dealer prices also.