[MrHappy]

I didn't want to hijack anyone's thread so I posted here. I'm curious if anyone with an '06 C (RWD preferably) has had the tranny problems mentioned numerous times on this forum? (The shuddering, need for rebuild, etc). Curious to know if it has been fixed in the factory by preventing the water intrusion or if it could be something larger and still out there looming.

 

[jaydee]

me too

well, I have had the "rumble strip shudder" at 1200-1400 RPM in "D"- The dealers have done the TSB- flush and fill etc- It seems to have gone away except for a faint rumble that I can still feel at that speed.. Is this the resonance problem, I wonder.The car is very smooth now, but that may be because it got an oil change as well.. Mine is a 300C AWD built April 2005.

Jay

 

[MrHappy]

There is a little vibration at that range in all from what I hear but the rumble strip issue I know too well about. The resonance should be a different issue. At about 52-57mph or so you'll feel a vibration in the accelerator / under your right side of the drivers seat / middle of the drivetrain which is also audible with the windows closed / radio off. I know a few people on here have had severe tranny issues and just wondered if it was a fixed issue now or if they are still rolling off the line with the same potential time bomb. I'm guessing with all the views and so few replies things are better? Perhaps I just got a crappy build in my 05.... dunno.

 

[Ghost Rider]

There is a little vibration at that range in all from what I hear but the rumble strip issue I know too well about. The resonance should be a different issue. At about 52-57mph or so you'll feel a vibration in the accelerator / under your right side of the drivers seat / middle of the drivetrain which is also audible with the windows closed / radio off. I know a few people on here have had severe tranny issues and just wondered if it was a fixed issue now or if they are still rolling off the line with the same potential time bomb. I'm guessing with all the views and so few replies things are better? Perhaps I just got a crappy build in my 05.... dunno.

I'd like to know about the tranny issues and their resolution as well. Others would like to sweep the tranny issue under the rug, claiming that a higher percentage of people are not having any issues with the car, but this isn't about percentages of problems versus no problems. This is about determining if the tranny issues are a design flaw, weak parts, and if a recall is in order. Does anyone know if the 300C transmission can be "enhanced" like the automatics of other cars? I'm interested in owning a 300C but I will only purchase one if the trans can handle more power (500HP minimum) or if the trans can be enhanced to handle more power.

 

[seattlemagnum]

Still Waiting for a Tranny Fix

It's been 30 days and DC still has no fix for my tranny problem. ie.. shudder of a full stop on acceleration. Pathetic service program.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Keep the info coming. We need to know the status of all the transmission problems and where DCX is at in fixing them. It's not coincidence for this car to have an increasing frequency of tranmission problems. It's happening to the Charger RT guys too. Let's get the info out in the open, so that those who dispute the validity of it can see what's going on.

 

[stevesrt8]

trans is ok w/power

Does anyone know if the 300C transmission can be "enhanced" like the automatics of other cars? I'm interested in owning a 300C but I will only purchase one if the trans can handle more power (500HP minimum) or if the trans can be enhanced to handle more power.[/QUOTE]

The trans can be controlled by software. Very few mechanical mods are available for it due to it's technical sophistication. Line pressure, shift duration, clutch lock up, and such are all computer controlled and would be very specific for whatever platform you purchased. note that this trans is used in vehicles with more power than your quote specifies.

No problems here with well OVER 425 HP and very spirited use!


Steve
06 CSRT8
all stock all original
everything but DVD
waiting for software

 

[Ghost Rider]

If this transmission is used in cars with more power, meaning Mercedez, can you confirm exactly which models of Mercedez use the exact model of transmission that's in the 300C? If so, have there been reported instances of transmission problems or failures early in the first year of ownership of those Benz models? If not, can the Benz transmission that's in those more powerful cars be swapped into the 300C directly or with modification?

 

[Solex]

When I was doing my research on the 300C I also heard about o-rings and leaking transmissions but after two weeks of ownership I can report none of these things.

No rumble strip sensations, no slips, drips or groaning. The transmission works as advertised although I wish I could program the shift points. Right now if you put your foot on it it goes right to redline and I am enough a coward that I back off before really testing the powertrain's mettle.

I am glad I bought the 100k warranty, just in case...

Andy in Socal

 

[Ghost Rider]

I'm glad you did too...

Wait a minute... stevestr8, you're a genius... IT's the software.. maybe...

Ok. The tranny is all computer controlled right? Could it be a glitch in either the car's main computer or does the tranny run off a seperate or piggy back computer? Either the computer or the software possibly causing those tranny probs? What do you think?

 

[Irwin]

transmission

I'm glad you did too...

Wait a minute... stevestr8, you're a genius... IT's the software.. maybe...

Ok. The tranny is all computer controlled right? Could it be a glitch in either the car's main computer or does the tranny run off a seperate or piggy back computer? Either the computer or the software possibly causing those tranny probs? What do you think?

My "C" was built 9/04, transmission in US. Car about a year old with 10500 miles. When first purchased had the right pull which was corrected immediately by tsb. Not one single problem. Transmission works perfectly. I love my car more now than when I first saw it on the show room floor.
Sorry for the typo, I input 05 instead of 04. My car is a 05.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Is yours an 05 or an 06? Someone mentioned that the 06 300C's have an updated transmission. It's not clear whether that means updated components or updated software. It could be that a software update cures all these problems possibly...

 

[stevesrt8]

too many computers

yep... you guessed it. Many driveability glitches are easily corrected via a software flash. Check your favorite TSB site and have fun at the dealer.

I sometimes like them, when they all work properly!


Steve
06 CSRT8
all stock all original
everything but DVD
waiting for software

 

[Ghost Rider]

Well there we go. Computer reflash, refill fluids and that does it.

 

[kevenj]

If this transmission is used in cars with more power, meaning Mercedez, can you confirm exactly which models of Mercedez use the exact model of transmission that's in the 300C? If so, have there been reported instances of transmission problems or failures early in the first year of ownership of those Benz models? If not, can the Benz transmission that's in those more powerful cars be swapped into the 300C directly or with modification?

Mercedes AMG cars such as the E55 as well as the 300-SRT8 use this tranny; Mercedes uses this 5 speed automatic in the AMG line precisely because it is stronger than their 7 speed automatic; our tranny will handle upwards of 700 lb/ft of torque (that's what matters, not horsepower).

The design of this transmission is well proven (nearly 10 years in Mercedes Benz) and near "bullet-proof". It's not the design of the tranny that's an issue, but rather some build quality issues in some units (water contamination, etc.) and perhaps software issues. There are many of these trannsmissions providing trouble free service in Chrysler LX cars and Mercedes Benz cars.

I'm curious though, whether most of the people having problems have 'U.S." built transmissions , rather than German ones - - it could be that the problems are partially due to getting the bugs worked out and tolerances right with the new transmission plant. I was told that the tranny's started having some problems reported about the same time they started installing US built transmissions. Wouldn't that be classic, since it's about the only "American" component in our "American" cars that are built in Canada with Mexican engines? :biggrin:

 

[Ghost Rider]

That is the most informative information anyone has provided on the transmission in the 300C, and their origin in the AMG Benz lines. Thanks for that. I was wondering if the transmissions were US built or German built also, but I wasn't willing to suggest that these transmission problems were due to them being US built. I catch enough flack for asking questions about the transmission problems. It's good to know that this transmission can handle 700FT of torque. The water issue is a TSB that will require rebuild (or replacement, in my opinion), and a reflash and fill may be all that's needed to fix other problems.

How can one identify if their transmission on the 300C is US or German built?

 

[stevesrt8]

window sticker

check your window sticker for interesting points on the "origin" of your car.

My engine is Mexican, my trans is German, assembled in Canada... I guess I'm driving a real mutt!


Steve
06 CSRT8
all stock all original
everything but DVD
waiting for software

 

[nhsteve]

I am disgusted. I just brought my AWD 300C in because several days ago the tranny or transfer case started to shutter and catch and vibrate at low speeds. It even vibrates the panels on the car at times. This is all at low speed and under light power. Like every other issue with the car the statment is "We cannot duplicate it" I about wanted to drive the car through the service bay door, as it did it as I drove away, but of course no techs available then. I even comment on it was unbelievable to me that someone knowledgable in the cars could not feel and hear the problem. They said they did a flash anyway and that would correct the situation.

Ive owned subarus for the past 20 years and purchased a 2001 GMC Denali XL in 2001 without any problems for 79,000 miles. This gave me the faith to purchase another american car only to find that the dealers have learned nothing in the past 20 years. You are talked to like a 2 year old and they have never ever had any of the issues before. Yea right.

Well I am going to try to find some type of area rep next and Hopefully will feel good enough to continue bragging about my ride to others instead of letting them know of getting hosed by Chrylser.

Well I feel better now, hope to get this resolved soon.


Steven

 

[JeffLexie]

I wanted to report some good news on the resolution for the tranny leak and vibrate I had. I found transmission fluid on my pavers and immediately took it in for service. The dealer replaced 3 seals, flushed it, new filter, and told me there was some water in the fluid. Couldn't tell me how it got there but fixed the leak. Before the leak happened I was experiencing some "earthquake" like shakes in the car when the rpms were betweeen 1700-2200 in 2-D gears. Commuting was brutal because very light touches on the gas would just shake the car and make some very weird groaning like sounds if I was in that rpm range. It was very annoying and pissing me off with only 9K miles on the car. Long story short, I took it in to the dealer again to get this looked at and they ended up flushing the tranny 4 times to get all of the water out this time. They were able to reproduce it with no issues when I brought it in. They test drove it for 20 miles during the 4 attempts to fix it. I am happy to say the car drives like a bullet on a rail now and I am really enjoying it again. If anyone would like a copy of the dealer service sheet to show another service dept. the symptom and resolution please let me know.

 

[seattlemagnum]

Wish DMX could figure it out

"brand new front to back tranny" same old prob. i'm savvy enough to know its not "a harmonic vibration" its the tranny cold turkey. cant anyone reproduce this?? 1. load the car up, at least 2 people, 2. full of gas(more wieght), 3.get on steep hill at least 10%.(more stress) 4.full stop, (more stress) 5. stomp on it.(more stress)" it will protest". how could i have been the unlucky recipiant of but a second bad tranny direct from the factory. this is "unacceptable". hmmm ..well i live at sea level, "lots of power" lots of hills, its not built to take it. period. can anybody name a car ( other than this one ) that has this power and has no reported problems?? chime in. good lord i have 98 trans am with 105000 miles on it that wont do this. it will chew this puppy up.