Questions and Answers

Mercedes E-320 4-Matic Noise Q. I drive a 2001 Mercedes E-320, 4-matic, 3.2 Liter, automatic transmission with 12000 miles on it. I bought the car new in June of last year and ever since I bought it I have noticed a problem with the transmission. The transmission does not engage smoothly, it is more noticeable at slow rolling speed say on a stop and go traffic.

I hear a thump and feel the car slightly jerk when it upshifts at slow rolling speed. It also feels that there is a lot of free play in between gears. For example when coming to a stop it takes a moment before the transmission engages again and if I happen to make a quick stop and step on the gas I hear a thump and feel the car jerk.

I took the car into the Mercedes dealership in Seattle when the car had less than 1,000 miles on it and the dealer told me that it was normal with 4-matics. They told me the transmission had to be designed with play in it or there would have been a constant wihndy noise with the all wheel drive system! They also told me that it was not a metallic sounding thump therefore not to worry about it.

What do you think? It's the only real problem I have had with the car but it bugs me and I worry that it could turn into an expensive problem later on. Should I live with it or is there a fix? How can I pressure the dealer to fix it? Please help?

Regards,
Michael
Seattle, Washington

A. You should not hear any clunking or banging or feel anything between shifts. I think you have a problem they don't want to deal with. If it is normal as they say, tell them you want to drive a couple of other cars like yours to see.