That is just MB's way of doing things and maing money. These transmissions (at least the 722.6) are also used by other car makers. There might be some small differences but they are basically the same transmissions. MB did not make these transmissions. As a matter of fact, MB did not make many many things on their cars. They buy from suppliers and assemble.

Conider this:

Many 722.6 and 9 transmissions are having trouble with the MB fluids across all mileges (new, low, high). If you go read some 722.9 toubles on the W211 forums and some are scary. The same was true with the early 722.6. They all had the MB fluids in them.

Not many have reported fluid related failure due to the use of DEX III (sone Indy's do use them, mineral and synthetic.) As a matter of fact, there are users who have used DEX III for tens of thousands miles with no trouble. I think there is one on the ML forum and a couple here.

I just read a post on another forum that had a fellow with a ML320 722.6 tranny failure with pretty tedious maintenance done(every 30k) with the proper MB fluids,filters and still failed under 130K.

The fact of matter is that these new electronic transmissions, in general, do not last as long as the older ones. For example, compare 722.3 to 722.6. Many 722.3 have more than 250k miles on them, as long as the fluid is changed often even with the cheapest DEX III.

So MB can only play the fluid game. Sealed for life and never change them. If you want to change, use only our fluid. LOL, either way, they fail!

And this holds true for just about any manufacturer!
Geeeez, they could built bulletproof transmissions in the 60's, 70's and 80's, but as soon as electronics were added, it seems everybody has troubles.

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2007 C 230 Sport.

It's funny have pretty much all the Euro makes have done away with the prior "30k" tranny preventive maintenance and gone to a breakdown maintenance plan.

The electronic Toyota units i've owned have been nothing but excellent dating back to my 4spd auto in my 83 supra.

Exactly right.

Before MB has the headgasket on the M103 and 104 as a maintanance item. In another word, by the time the engine needs new air filter or spark plugs, it needs a new headgasket.

Now for the W210, W211 et. al, the WHOLE transmision is a maintanance item. By the time the platinum spark plugs are changed (100k miles), the WHOLE transmission should also be replaced at 50 - 75% of the cost of that car's worth.

150k on this 722.6..........ALL electronics replaced under warranty between 70-90k, but as far as the mechanicals, it's never slipped or exhibited any sign of wear, and I hammer it (though it's only taking a beating from an m111, not a 104 or 119...)

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former: 83 300D, 97 C230, 93 400E

current: 08 C300 Luxury , 92 500SL

I have no doubt that there are some long lasting 722.6's and, for that matter, some short lasting 722.3's. However, statistically I do not think the 722.6 can compare with the 722.6 in the longevity department.