Hello everyone

The transmission on our E320 4Matic (2001 model) has gone nuts today out of the blue:

- it appears to be stuck in 1st gear (it won't drive past 70 km/h regardless of rpm);
- the small display in the dash where the active gear is shown (P-R-N-D-4-3-2-1) shows nothing - completely yellow, no symbol;
- after driving with the lever in D it will go to N but not to R or P. After switching engine off, it does slide to R or P;
- R can be engaged from P and it will drive finely in reverse, then any position can be selected and the car will drive as usual, but no faster than 1st gear;
- manual selection doesn't appear to work, but without the small display I can't tell.

As the transmission worked as usual without any sign of bad shifting, hesitation, clunking etc previously, I find it hard to believe in a malfunction of the gears, valve body etc out of the blue, I suspect an electronic problem. (Some Cola had been spilled around the shifter recently).

The car will be subject to a dealer's inspection, to diagnose and hopefully solve the problem, together with other minor issues (sometimes it idles poorly, rear interior light does not function although bulbs are fine, one of the two ignition keys is burnt and has to be replaced etc etc). The transmission fluid will be also changed if it looks suspect upon inspection.

What should I expect, given that Romanian "stealers" are even more greedy than Western counterparts and will, most possibly, recommend transmission rebuilding?...

Thank you,

~Nautilus

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1990 260E Sportline (that's 300E 2.6 for our American friends) -> sold
2001 E320 4Matic Elegance -> my Dad's daily drive
2005 Seat Leon FR 1.8T