What should it cost to get a 1999 C230K tranny rebuild kit
 

What would/should it cost for a rebuild kit for a C230K (1999) transmission?

I read most of the "transmission" threads on club202.com and to me it looks like a rebuild at some point in time (before 200000 mil)....?

I guess I would change the transmission fluid in my C230K (1999 or 2000) if I bought one but I guess this is no guaranty to prevent a premature failure. Peoples experiences documented in the threads (at club202.com) are insightful but bread more confusion in the mind of someone (like myself) who is considering buying a used C230K with (110000 km) ~62000 mil. on the clock.

I guess the automatic transmissions will never be as reliable as the standard ones.....

I think I am going to have to think about buying the C230K a little bit longer.

I wonder what it may cost to have a (just in case if it happens) a C230K transmission rebuilt at a independent shop which specializes in MB. I guess if that price is not to scary I will become more convinced that C230K is the right machine to get.

Cheers,

Christopher.

If you're THAT paranoid about the transmission, you best buy a bicycle.
As far as the "Club" you quoted, you're talking about kids that know very little about their cars & probably just drive the crap out of them. :rolleyes:

By 1999MY, the 722.6 was pretty much sorted out and with care (driving like every day is the Daytona 500 reduces the life of every car...) the 722.6 can go great distances without a problem. I'm starting to see early 722.6 equipped cars with 300,000kms and no problems beyond some early updating of saftware and possibly valve bodies.

BTW, a 722.6 for the M111 engine runs about $5K from the MB Canada rebuilding centre in Ontario. Change the fluid every 100,000kms or so, and have it done PROPERLY (using SDS to set the level, only MB fluid, etc.) and the box will probably give you at least 250,000km's without a hiccup.

Not all of us over there are kids (I'm 42), but then again I have been known to give my car(s) an Italian tuneup now and then :D . I do notice a general lack of basic maintenance knowledge over there though and try to help them when I can. What I do find fascinating about that community is the willingness to modify and experiment. Some of them are very good at that. Even from kids I can learn more about my car, even if it sometimes is of the 'what not to do' type of knowledge.

example of "the other forum," not to hijack the thread
 

http://www.club202.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=54358#post54358

My reply is last. I don't know how these guys keep their cars running. Do not believe what you read over there that is anything other than suspension or body-kit related.

I'll agree, Im a member of club202, but I find that the only valuable information typically revolves around modifications... good mods, and bad mods. Its a cool forum though.... as said above, very creative W202 enthusiasts. Mercedesshop though, is THE PLACE for real world tech help and so forth.

My C280 made it to 180K miles before the transmission was rebuilt. That 180K includes lots of city driving in San Francisco.. which is not a very kind place for transmissions.

I have a great indie in Sacramento that rebuilt the transmission, and if I remember correctly it cost me somewhere around $3K. Since then thhe car has covered 6K miles without any major problems.

I dont see why you are so hesitant to purchase a W202 just based on transmission problems. The W202 is one of the most mechhanically sound modern gasser MB's that has been built. Im not sure about the 4cylinders, but the 6 suffered from a faulty headgasket design, which can be easily corrected. The only other major issue with these cars are faulty wiring harnesses. Another easy fix.

From the time the car was new, to its now current 186K miles, the only issues needing correction were mentioned above, along with normal wear and tear maintenance... front end rebuild, tune-ups, and oil changes. Some of these cars also suffer from minor electrical gremlins, but I havent experienced anything too major with mine. The only thing that doesnt work on my car is the rear interioir dome light... it turns on when the R. rear door is opened, or when the switch in the overhead console is turned on, but it doesnt turn on when the L. rear door is opened. The factory Becker stereo's can be a little problematic, but then again, thats another easy fix.

I wouldnt hesitate to buy another W202. While performance figures are nearly the same, I take to the liking of the 6cyl... smoother and more grunty.... feels like a small V8. Better power at low speeds. And while im not planning on "ricing" the car out like alot of the PEOPLE on club202, I am looking forwards to getting an Eisanmann exhaust... somthing that will look sharp, and bring out a richer exhaust note.

All and all these cars are nearly bullet proof. Get yourself a C230K and dont look back.

I never want to get rid of mine!

Would YOU buy brand new lowering springs & then CUT them? :eek:

OMG what a good idea! i think im just going to skip the lowering spring part and save some money for "Gucci" upholstery. Anybody have any experience cutting the stock springs down?

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!

I spilt some beer.
 

Reading your posts, manny, blackmercedes, Will_w202, Veloce300DT made me laugh, quite hard through some parts. At one point in time for example, when I read the part about "CUTTING lowering SPRINGS" the Konig Pilsner beer I had in my mouth did not quite make it down the throat, traveled up and exited through my nose......(I think I will have to replace my keyboard now)

I think I have limited my choices and now it's between the 1999-2000 C230K and a 1997-1999 BMW 325 or 328. In the end I think I will go with the C230K because the BMWs are kinda overpriced here in North America North (aka Canada)

Best regards to all...
Cheers.

I haven't been over there for a looong time, and checked out the link. Wow, what a bunch of misinformation about the 722.6. I wonder if some people might suggest filling it with anti-freeze next? Cripes.

If you're seriously thinking about a BMW, be aware that the ZF automatics they use are crap compared to anything that MB made. For many years (early to mid 90's) they made units where the front pump shut off at idle meaning a very short tranny life. It gets better later, but not much. The five speed boxes in the E46 are failure prone and I wouldn't expect long life out of them.

The last of the W202 C230's are very well sorted out cars. Excellent HVAC systems, great M111 engines, good trannies, nice interiors (high quality materials) and rock solid structures. My own 98 has 171,000kms and is as tight as the day I brought it home (I bought it new). They are fairly easy to DIY service and parts are reasonable. With some simple hand tools I do 90% of my service work. The wiring harness issues were solved by 1996, head gaskets are unique to M104s (not a problem on M111's or M112's) and that's pretty minor.

elemental

You really should consider this:
a. get a " spill-proof " keyboard, or
b. quit drinking & " surfing ", or
c. start drinking with a straw, or
d. ah hell, I'm not your mother. :D