MB stance on W210 gearboxes

[brandwooddixon]

Well I've been having some interesting discussions with MB regarding the 722.6 gearbox fitted to the W210.

This was started when my gearbox suffered an major failure (basically destroyed itself).

In the course of this discussion with them I even asked them to comment on why MB document "Circular PW NR. 44/05 NFZ NR. 20/05 24.03.2005" requiring a one off oil change for 722.6 gearboxes as fitted to 203/211/220 doesn't also relate to 722.6 gearboxes fitted to 210 models?

Their stance as summarised by their last reply:

I have reviewed your concerns and your comments where you stated that the point of contention is that the service schedules for W210 vehicles have never been amended to take into account what is apparently a common failure mode of the 722.6 gearbox, principally triggered by the lack of oil changes.

As stated previously, I investigated this with our internal advisors who report on technical aspects noted in your correspondence. The manufacturing process, designs or maintenance schedules of our gearboxes have been diligently and assiduously tested. Mercedes-Benz does not have any registered known issues regarding sealed gearboxes similar to that of your vehicle.

As for the change in maintenance policy for later models, this is because the components used are different and in accordance with technological advancements, maintenance requirements change too. Further, as the repair was not carried out within the network, we cannot establish the cause of the failure.

So there you have it, apparantly we're all imagining that our gearboxes need servicing and by their own admission newer gearboxes are more fragile and less reliable.

Oh and a final point even though they didn't directly answer my enquiry about the 722.6 gearbox fitted to W211s I've been black listed on this subject:

I apologies for any inconvenience that the matter may have caused you. Our response remains the same and we are unable to over turn or add to the comments already provided to you in previous case investigations. Whilst we are happy to assist in any issue you may have, further correspondence on this particular topic will be logged for reference.

 

[Rory]

That memo talks about changes to the box from 02/2004 yet on my Oct 04 (September built) C270CDi my dealer wouldn't do an ATF change under ServicePlus as it wasn't called for until a couple of thousand VIN numbers (which would be a few days production) later than mine. When I'd dropped the car off the dealer said it definitely needed changing and I've absolutely no doubt it would have been changed if I'd been a cash paying customer.

I asked what the difference would be between the cars made a few days apart and he had no idea and said it would be impossible to find out.

 

[television]

There is no difference an 99% of the parts are the same to this day

 

[Rory]

There is no difference an 99% of the parts are the same to this day

The Babelfish translation from the original German document has the following:
"After the introduction of the optimized lamella package in the
transducer bypass clutch (increase of the number of grooves on 72 to
02/2004)..."

 

[OlafMaxwell]

If you are refererring to the 5 speed auto my MB dealer told me they had a circular from MB recommending an ATF fluid change although it was originally to be sealed for life. Mine is 2000 W210. I am not sure what MB mean by saying they have no registered issues regarding the transmission. My delaer was adamant there was a problem and he is one I find trustworthy. MB tend to be less than truthful in these situation if the general experience is anything to go by.

 

[brandwooddixon]

Yes Olaf it's the 5 speed gearbox that I'm referring to.

The problem is that this customer service guy has now blacklisted me as regards gearbox issues.

I'm thinking of bypassing the customer service people totally.

Initially I wasn't after any recompense for the gearbox replacement, I just wanted them to change their service schedules for older vehicles and start to offer oil replacements for their gearboxes.

Unfortunately as my local MB garage quoted me £4500 for a new 'box as opposed to the £2000 that I paid I didn't get MB to replace it.

I'm now going to approach the garage that replaced my gearbox and ask them if they would be willing to provide a written report on what exactly went wrong with my gearbox.

 

[television]

How barmy do things have to get,,when we all know how important oil changes are, and oil /fluids are the cheapest thing that we can change to maintain our cars