99 ML 320 Transmisson Failure

[sunedog]

Had a transmission failure while 550 miles from home over the holidays. I was loaded up and ready to head home when I encountered the problem. The transmission slipped under load at highway speed. I shut it off and restarted it and it repeated the failure a couple of times. I did get a CEL.

After about 30 phone calls from the side of the road to MBUSA, Mercedes dealers (nearest 50 miles away), franchises and trusted friends in the area, I had it flat bedded to an indie transmission specialist in that area. Decided on the indie guy because he sounded like he knew what he was doing, he told me he had worked on ML transmissions multiple times in the past, and I am hopeful his repair charge will be on the lower end of my $2K to $6K expectation.

The vehicle is a 99 ML 320 with 185K miles. I am the original owner and it has never had any tranny problems or work before. I've searched this forum and understand it is probably typical for the ML 320 tranny to fail at this mileage (if not sooner.)

I borrowed another vehicle to come home so I have to handle this over the phone. Just talked to the mechanic and he has taken the pan off. He told me 4th gear is "burned out" and the paper from the failure clogged the filter. He said the other three gears are OK. He is gathering prices so he can present me with options.

Sounds like my options will be:
* used tranny (from a wrecked ML ?)
* remanufactured tranny from someone other than Mercedes
* remanufactured tranny from Mercedes
* new tranny from Mercedes (?)

Obviously warranty and expected life will be compared to price for each option. Warranty is a key issue since it would be very inconvenient to take it 550 miles for remedial service.

I don't have any specific questions at this point but I would appreciate your collective advice / experiences / wisdom / prayers (especially if anything I've told you doesn't sound right.)

[azinn]

Originally Posted by sunedog

Had a transmission failure while 550 miles from home over the holidays. I was loaded up and ready to head home when I encountered the problem. The transmission slipped under load at highway speed. I shut it off and restarted it and it repeated the failure a couple of times. I did get a CEL.

After about 30 phone calls from the side of the road to MBUSA, Mercedes dealers (nearest 50 miles away), franchises and trusted friends in the area, I had it flat bedded to an indie transmission specialist in that area. Decided on the indie guy because he sounded like he knew what he was doing, he told me he had worked on ML transmissions multiple times in the past, and I am hopeful his repair charge will be on the lower end of my $2K to $6K expectation.

The vehicle is a 99 ML 320 with 185K miles. I am the original owner and it has never had any tranny problems or work before. I've searched this forum and understand it is probably typical for the ML 320 tranny to fail at this mileage (if not sooner.)

I borrowed another vehicle to come home so I have to handle this over the phone. Just talked to the mechanic and he has taken the pan off. He told me 4th gear is "burned out" and the paper from the failure clogged the filter. He said the other three gears are OK. He is gathering prices so he can present me with options.

Sounds like my options will be:
* used tranny (from a wrecked ML ?)
* remanufactured tranny from someone other than Mercedes
* remanufactured tranny from Mercedes
* new tranny from Mercedes (?)

Obviously warranty and expected life will be compared to price for each option. Warranty is a key issue since it would be very inconvenient to take it 550 miles for remedial service.

I don't have any specific questions at this point but I would appreciate your collective advice / experiences / wisdom / prayers (especially if anything I've told you doesn't sound right.)

You might want to read this thread Transmission Life Expectancy

The last thread reads like this -

Just to update the 722.6 transmission file, MB now subs all parts directly related to the planetaries to a full planetary assembly, taking all the options out of rebuilding. After you pay more than $2K for that part/assembly alone, then a few other necessary updated parts, you may as well just buy the transmission from Benz; there's too many other parts that can go bad in that transmission to justify saving a few 100 dollars on an aftermarket rebuild. Be careful with used parts; remember, you're replacing fatigued and failed parts with known defective parts, and you're just looking for trouble unless you just want to unload your vehicle. This absolutely sucks, as this was a most enjoyable transmission for me to rebuild.

[sunedog]

Thank you, Azinn!

What do you (anyone) think is a typical cost for each option?

[waybomb]

I just replaced my tranny and converter with one from Phoenixhardparts.com for my 98 ML. I got a 4 year warrantee with it. The "dynoed" trans and converter was 1,795, the warrantee was something like 250, shipping both ways was 300, and I had to put a 1000 core down. Hassle-free, and is working fine with no issues at all after a thousand miles.

It comes on a wooden pallet, strapped down in a heavy plastic bag, and must go back the same way, and drained.

I did quite a bit of research before I settled on this place. Give them a look. Their phone number is 1-623-936-1500.

[sunedog]

Thanks, waybomb.

Quotes are in. All include one year parts only warranty, replacement torque converter and $400 for my mechanic to R&R it:

1) used tranny with 89K miles = $3200
No way. Not for that price and that many miles.

2A) phoenixhardparts.com remanufactured = $2650 to $3400 depending on core evaluation.
They don't have it in stock but can build it quickly. Problem is it will take up to 10 business days (if no delays) for them to deliver it.

2B) europeantransmissions.com remanufactured = $2840 to $3590 depending on core evaluation. It is in stock in Atlanta and could be delivered by Tues (Wed at the latest).
I am leaning towards this option.

3) rebuild by the mechanic 500 miles away = $4200
He says he knows about the $2100 assembly for rebuilding it and he factored that into his price.

4) Mercedes remanufactured = over $6000 (sorry - don't have the exact figure -- left my notes in the office)
I can't justify putting that kind of money in a truck that isn't worth $10K after the repair.

I am really leaning towards 2B. Even though I trust the mechanic who is working on it, he is 550 miles away and it will be difficult for me to get warranty work from him. If the remanufactured part fails in warranty, a local mechanic can R&R it and I can deal with the Atlanta company from home.

Any suggestions?

[waybomb]

european transmissions was my second choice when I was shopping.
Sounds as if you went with phoenix, you'd get my core, except rebuilt!