I have a 1997 C180 in Australia and the auto is starting to show odd signs of wear/tear or breakdown. It makes a whining sound as I drive off in the lower gears and disappears in the higer gears. Does this all the time now. I also have the 1994 C180 with the old 4 speed auto which is not electronic and this one still makes no sounds at all although it has not much grunt, much less than the 1997 model of same engine size. Has the trans gone south or do I need new auto fluids? Will new trans fluid and filter solve this or is worse news coming like gears gone or other parts need replacing. Its not wheel bearings otherwise the sound will be there all the time not related to speed. Can there be other problems from the drivetrain causing this sound? The universal joints? Please help, thanks. Just for info, the 1997 has 226,000kms and the 1994 has 206,000kms on the clocks.