W124 auto boxes - 4 or 5 speed?

[J-Scho]

I'm in the process of buying myself a W124 E Class. Probably an E280, maybe an E320. I've noticed in some of the adverts on AutoTrader that some say auto [4] and some say auto [5].

What's the deal? Are some 4 speed and some 5 speed? Does it make much difference or matter which one I get? I'm wondering if the 5 speed gives better fuel economy on the motorway (where I spend a lot of time!). Is there any difference reliability-wise?

 

[television]

The 24 valve engines were offered with the 722.5 box as an option, it is a solenoid operated 5th

 

[kth286]

Hardly any discernable difference in economy.

So why have the extra layer of complexity on a 15 year old car when you do not need to.

I find 4 speed auto is perfect. Imperceptibly smooth changes and car provides good economy and now at 160,000 miles.

 

[Bolide]

You have to bear in mind that many adverts on Autotrader are incorrect in this regard

You won't find a concensus on this forum about the merits of the 5-speed vs the 4-speed but they are both good gearboxes. Top in a 5-speed is higher than that in a 4-speed so there is a possible economy benefit if you drive to take advantage of it

For what it's worth I prefer the 5-speeds

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[television]

For what it's worth I prefer the 5-speeds

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

Is that due to the lower revs when cruising Nick, I have never had the 5 speed

 

[type49]

The 5 speed is a good box & shouldn't give any problems. Sometimes the switch on the selector fails, causing the box to go from 3rd to 5th, missing out 4th gear. This is a very simple & cheap fix so don't even worry about it. As Bolide says, be wary of trader's adverts though. As an example of how bad they are, look for a C-class or E-class 1997/8 & see how many advertise them as "Tip" gearboxes, a feature not even available till late 1999!!

 

[Juddian]

Was first gear also lower on the 5 speed, we've had both and the 5 speed could take off at a terrifying rate in S from stanstill, even though the 4 speed was a much quicker car generally, probably because the 5 was the estate and the 4 the coupe.

Other than that i agree they are both very smooth gearboxes, but the 5 speeder absolutely drank fuel.

 

[zedmeister]

The 5 speed was an optional extra on my old E280 (4 speed auto as standard) - the 5 speed is a nice smooth box and I believe that this box was used on the newer shape cars as standard. Never had a problem in 8 years of ownership.

 

[type49]

The 5 speed was an optional extra on my old E280 (4 speed auto as standard) - the 5 speed is a nice smooth box and I believe that this box was used on the newer shape cars as standard. Never had a problem in 8 years of ownership.

The newer box is completely different. The 124 had either 722/4 (4 speed mechanical auto) or a 722/5 (5 speed mechanical auto). Both these were still running in the early 210s when they were substituted by the 722/6 (5 speed electric/hydrolic auto)

 

[television]

The newer box is completely different. The 124 had either 722/4 (4 speed mechanical auto) or a 722/5 (5 speed mechanical auto). Both these were still running in the early 210s when they were substituted by the 722/6 (5 speed electric/hydrolic auto)

06 96 roughly and on the 202's

 

[J-Scho]

Thanks guys. Seems there's not a great deal of difference really. I just wanted to make sure it wasn't a case of one is great and the other should be avoided.

 

[mattsurf]

I had a 5 speed on a W124 E320 estate and 4 speed on W124 E280 estate - I prefer the 5 speed as it cruised at lower RPM, and it is nice to have 5 speeds as the steps are much smaller - kick down from 4th to 2nd on the 4 speed is effective, but not relaxed, from 5th to 3rd on the 5 speed is much nicer. However, the 5 speed box did need to be rebuilt, and WDM told me that it is not as reliable as the older 4 speed box. The 4 speed box I had in the later car was much smoother then the 5 speed, and 100% faultless.

As far as economy goes the 320 (with 5 speed) averaged 23mpg the 280 with 4 speed averaged 25.5mpg - however not comparing apples with apples, so do not know whether an E280 with a 5 speed box would be much better

On balance I would go with a 4 speed for the reliability - the W124 is a refined, well built beautiful car, the 5 speed box really doesn't add that much to the pleasure of owning one. for me, Condition is a much more important consideration, followed by Aircon, followed by 7 seats, followed by leather, then colour, only then would I consider whether the car was 4 or 5 speed