Dear friends:

My 1994 c220 (123 Kmiles) has started having difficulty going into reverse gear. I have to rev the engine before it will jump, then
jerk and finally engage. I have searched the forums and everyone seems to believe that such a reverse symptom means
a worn/bad reverse clutch, and it must be replaced (big $ again )
The ATF fluid/filter was changed about 3 Kmiles ago and the level is OK. Is there anyone else who had similar reverse transmission problem and was able to fix it with just a simple ATF fluid change or Trans-X stuff? Should I continue driving this car or replace it ASAP to prevent further problems?

Now I understand why so many people (including magazine reviews) complain about the reliability of newer MB cars. I owned
several very old Japanese cars before, and they never had stupid and costly problems like fan clutch, fuel pump, transmission, instrument cluster light, power antenna, accessory belt tensioner, wiring harness... as on this MB c220.

My 1984 300SD's transmission shifts much more smoothly and driving it is like driving a robust tank. Germany's former legendary mechanical engineering prowess has hit a big wall IMHO. My next gasoline car will be a Japanese car again.

If you have any other suggestion, please help a very frustrated old boy.

Thanks again.

Eric

Eric:

I believe the tranny is electronically controlled on that car, so failure to shift into reverse properly can be a problem with the controls.

If it just takes a long time, you need a band adjustment, unless they have switched to a clutch system (doubtful).

you will have to find someone with the proper tester setup to tell.

Could just be a bad connection with the tranny, too.

Peter

__________________
1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!