From a re builders point of view point of view, just google the failures on the 722.9. The second generation 722.6(+2000 vehicles) are bullet proof. Mercedes Made a boner maneuver with the aluminum bolts, software, and the oil pan. The aluminum bolts are the killer with pump failures. Get on benzworld search the failures-they are happening at 30 to 100k miles...

Sadly these are not mature transmissions for the higher powered cars. I would imaging you want that killer power on the 500 or 550? You will be stressing that pump bearing and pump stretching those wimpy aluminum bolts. Sadly Mercedes does not repair these at all locations. They want replace business... so they sell you a new one...(new tranny that is....). Buy the warranty and drag race your car, so you can get a new tranny, and start fresh.

And the 4-matic's on the 722.9 are blowing the bearings left and right...

Martin