Mercedes warranty question...

[The Saints]

We've recently put a deposit on a 2022 Ducato based MH.

It's a ZF 9 speed auto gearbox and I've been doing a lot of research regarding the apparent weakness of this box when paired with the 180ch Fiat engine. It doesn't make for comfortable reading..!

Now I know that forums (of all varieties) can give a distorted view of reality when it comes to reliability. More people post when they have a problem than those who are content.

I have the option to move my deposit to another vehicle. It's tempting at the moment, but we love the one we've chosen so we have to think carefully before making a decision.

We've seen a couple of Mercedes chassis vehicles that we like, but it has to be a 3.5t A-Class with an auto box.

I understand that Fiat provide the option of an extended warranty if taken out at the time of purchase, but having read the recent horror story on this forum I'm not so sure even that's a good idea...!

So what the story with Mercedes..?

Good or not..?

I've driven Mercedes coaches all over Europe and found them to be utterly reliable, but with excellent back up if it's ever required. Is it the same with motor homes..?

We live in France and will be touring for 9-10 months of the year.

It will probably be a used vehicle, but might be persuaded to buy new if the breakdown/recovery/warranty aspect is good. It's very important to us.

So, what's your view..?

I'm keen to hear about your first hand experience.

Cheers

Graham

 

[KASPAR]

The 9g Mercedes gearbox is bulletproof. We have it in our MH and our daily GLE.

In terms of warranty MB is 3 years if vehicle built in the UK, if built in Europe it's 3 years but on registering it in the UK it is only 2 years from 1st registration. Sounds complicated, but not. If the MH is a full MB chassis with an A class bolted on in Europe or a tractor head with an AlKo chassis and hab unit it will have the warranty activated on leaving the MB factory, not the builder. So on 1st registration in the UK it will require the warranty re-starting, by the dealer. Not all dealers understand that bit. Our MH wasn't dealt with by the UK dealer for the first owner. By asking our local MB dealer (Sandown, previously Tony Purslow) they pointed us to a commercial vehicle dealer Rygor who re-validated the warranty.

Regardless if out of warranty, MB UK realise MH don't do mega miles as their white van man / Sprinter counterparts, offer a reduced cost service schedule every 2 years. By getting a MB dealer to do the service you get MobiloVan cover which is a 2 year breakdown/recovery service Europe wide, each time you service the MH. This also gives a 30 year corrosion warranty on the base chassis/cab.

In over 22 years of MB ownership of our 5 cars and 1 MH by using MB main dealer for servicing have never had any issues. Even had a tow bar fitted to an S Klasse gratis (paid for the parts). It pays to be polite and build rapport with the Dealer Principal.

 

[EuroTrotters]

Mercedes 4/5/7 & 9G-Tronic have to be serviced around 50,000 miles.

Probs not an issue for the OP.

But if you buy a say 90,000 mile model and it’s not been serviced. The damage may have already been done . So even getting it serviced then could be an issue

 

[KASPAR]

Mercedes 4/5/7 & 9G-Tronic have to be serviced around 50,000 miles.

Probs not an issue for the OP.

But if you buy a say 90,000 mile model and it’s not been serviced. The damage may have already been done . So even getting it serviced then could be an issue

The 9g in our 2023 MY MH with the 2l 4 pot diseasel requires ATF change at 2 years, then done for life. The costs are in my post here: https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/reviews/rygor-mercedes-benz.610/

The 9g in the GLE with the 3l V6 diseasel was at year 4 or 70k miles whichever was first, again done for life. If taking out a Service Plan on a new MB car take it out after the 1st Service so you get the ATF as part of the Service Plan B A B A saving a fair few squid.

The 7g was 70k miles in the S Klasse.

 

[Lenny HB]

We've seen a couple of Mercedes chassis vehicles that we like, but it has to be a 3.5t A-Class with an auto box.

You are asking for the impossible, even an A Class on a Fiat with auto box you will struggle with anything over 6m.

Our van is 6.65m ended up with a 3.5t as our 4.25t got cancelled. First trip out we were 300kg over it's now uprated to 4t.

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[The Saints]

Mercedes 4/5/7 & 9G-Tronic have to be serviced around 50,000 miles.

Probs not an issue for the OP.

But if you buy a say 90,000 mile model and it’s not been serviced. The damage may have already been done . So even getting it serviced then could be an issue

Thanks.

We're looking at nearly new, max 2 years old with low mileage.

 

[MichaelT]

You are asking for the impossible, even an A Class on a Fiat with auto box you will struggle with anything over 6m.

Our van is 6.65m ended up with a 3.5t as our 4.25t got cancelled. First trip out we were 300kg over it's now uprated to 4t.

But the OP is in france so not applicable

 

[The Saints]

The 9g Mercedes gearbox is bulletproof. We have it in our MH and our daily GLE.

In terms of warranty MB is 3 years if vehicle built in the UK, if built in Europe it's 3 years but on registering it in the UK it is only 2 years from 1st registration. Sounds complicated, but not. If the MH is a full MB chassis with an A class bolted on in Europe or a tractor head with an AlKo chassis and hab unit it will have the warranty activated on leaving the MB factory, not the builder. So on 1st registration in the UK it will require the warranty re-starting, by the dealer. Not all dealers understand that bit. Our MH wasn't dealt with by the UK dealer for the first owner. By asking our local MB dealer (Sandown, previously Tony Purslow) they pointed us to a commercial vehicle dealer Rygor who re-validated the warranty.

Regardless if out of warranty, MB UK realise MH don't do mega miles as their white van man / Sprinter counterparts, offer a reduced cost service schedule every 2 years. By getting a MB dealer to do the service you get MobiloVan cover which is a 2 year breakdown/recovery service Europe wide, each time you service the MH. This also gives a 30 year corrosion warranty on the base chassis/cab.

In over 22 years of MB ownership of our 5 cars and 1 MH by using MB main dealer for servicing have never had any issues. Even had a tow bar fitted to an S Klasse gratis (paid for the parts). It pays to be polite and build rapport with the Dealer Principal.

Thanks for the detailed reply and KASPAR

We live in France and looking at European vehicles, nothing from the UK.

That all sounds very reassuring.

 

[CAB96]

What's wrong with the Fiat?

I thought everybody loved the 9 speed.

Assuming it was filled with the correct amount of oil.

 

[The Saints]

You are asking for the impossible, even an A Class on a Fiat with auto box you will struggle with anything over 6m.

Our van is 6.65m ended up with a 3.5t as our 4.25t got cancelled. First trip out we were 300kg over it's now uprated to 4t.

Thanks Lenny HB

We live in France and it must be a 3.5t A-Class

We've seen several and have a deposit on a N+B iSmove which is 7.3m. Huge payload listed before all the options but only 340kgs as it stands on the forecourt...!

But my question is more about the reliability of the Mercedes as a MH.

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[The Saints]

What's wrong with the Fiat?

I thought everybody loved the 9 speed.

Assuming it was filled with the correct amount of oil.

CAB96

There are numerous posts on many different forums regarding the issue.
Some owners have reported that the software update by Fiat has worked, others tell horror stories.

Hence my posting....

 

[Pausim]

I wouldn’t worry too much about the ZF9. The Fiat problem is a very limited problem confined to the latest 2.2litre 180 engine, Fiat did not have a problem with the older 2.3litre 180 engine and this gearbox and the problem seems to have been caused by poor programming of the ECU not a gearbox weakness.

 

[Lenny HB]

We've seen several and have a deposit on a N+B iSmove which is 7.3m. Huge payload listed before all the options but only 340kgs as it stands on the forecourt...!

I would say that would be totally impossible to run at 3.5t.
I would ask for a weighbridge ticket.
Or you could do what the French do and run 500kg over.

German vans always quote the payload on the basic version which they won't even let you buy I always reckon with a German van you need at least 700kg payload as you will lose 150kg to basic options.

If it has got 340kg you will lose nearly half of that with a tank of water. If you want an awning another 40kg gone.
I know not everyone travels with a tank of water but I think a van is not fit for purpose if you can't.

If you really want a decent A Class wouldn't it be worth taking your C1 test.

 

[Abgs]

I've been driving auto Mercedess almost exclusively for the last 25 years. Across various cars and a Sprinter van I've had the 7G box for maybe 400,000 miles without any problems at all. Just change the ATF when its due on the service schedule.

My experience of the 9G Auto is 75,000 miles in my current E Class estate and 8,000 miles in my Hymer MLt. No problems to report. Again, just change the ATF according to the Mercedes service schedule.

The only oddity I can think of is in the E Class it doesn't like to get into 9th gear unless you are doing more than 75mph. However you can train the gearbox software to a certain extent to adapt to your driving style. I alway tap the paddle shifters to put it into 9th at about 68 - 70 mph and then it will remember to do this if the road conditions dictate. However, a week with Mrs ABGS driving and it seems to default to racecar mode, hanging on to the gears instead of changing up ....

I also ran a 9G, 140bhp, Fiat based Carthago for 13,000 miles. Over that time the gearbox seemed as good as the Mercedes.

 

[HugoBNB]

I've been driving auto Mercedess almost exclusively for the last 25 years. Across various cars and a Sprinter van I've had the 7G box for maybe 400,000 miles without any problems at all. Just change the ATF when its due on the service schedule.

My experience of the 9G Auto is 75,000 miles in my current E Class estate and 8,000 miles in my Hymer MLt. No problems to report. Again, just change the ATF according to the Mercedes service schedule.

The only oddity I can think of is in the E Class it doesn't like to get into 9th gear unless you are doing more than 75mph. However you can train the gearbox software to a certain extent to adapt to your driving style. I alway tap the paddle shifters to put it into 9th at about 68 - 70 mph and then it will remember to do this if the road conditions dictate. However, a week with Mrs ABGS driving and it seems to default to racecar mode, hanging on to the gears instead of changing up ....

I also ran a 9G, 140bhp, Fiat based Carthago for 13,000 miles. Over that time the gearbox seemed as good as the Mercedes.

My e-class does exactly the same. I will try your hack to train it.

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[The Saints]

I wouldn’t worry too much about the ZF9. The Fiat problem is a very limited problem confined to the latest 2.2litre 180 engine, Fiat did not have a problem with the older 2.3litre 180 engine and this gearbox and the problem seems to have been caused by poor programming of the ECU not a gearbox weakness.

That's precisely why I posted.

We have a deposit on a 180ch, with a ZF9 box and 2.2l engine...!!

 

[The Saints]

Thanks for you input Lenny HB

 

[Pausim]

That's precisely why I posted.

We have a deposit on a 180ch, with a ZF9 box and 2.2l engine...!!

How many miles has the Fiat done? The software update is supposed to take care of the problem and you should be able to check with Fiat that it has been done.

 

[MichaelT]

That's precisely why I posted.

We have a deposit on a 180ch, with a ZF9 box and 2.2l engine...!!

There's a software update to fix it so no worries.

 

[G7UXG]

The 9G gearbox in the Mercedes Sprinter based motorhome has a ZF badge on it. I’m guessing it’s the same gearbox as the Fiat, although the software may be different. I went searching under the bonnet when I bought the Mercedes and found the ZF badge on the top of the gearbox.

I’ve had a Fiat 9 speed and currently have a Mercedes 9 speed. Can’t tell the difference other than the Fiat has a gearstick type selector whilst the Mercedes version has the selector on the steering column.

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[The Saints]

How many miles has the Fiat done? The software update is supposed to take care of the problem and you should be able to check with Fiat that it has been done.

It's only done around 7000km, a 2022 model

For some, the software update has worked, for others there have been horror stories.

 

[The Saints]

The 9G gearbox in the Mercedes Sprinter based motorhome has a ZF badge on it. I’m guessing it’s the same gearbox as the Fiat, although the software may be different. I went searching under the bonnet when I bought the Mercedes and found the ZF badge on the top of the gearbox.

I’ve had a Fiat 9 speed and currently have a Mercedes 9 speed. Can’t tell the difference other than the Fiat has a gearstick type selector whilst the Mercedes version has the selector on the steering column.

It's not actually the gearbox itself, only when coupled with the 180ch engine.

Which applies to the vehicle we want. The 160ch version seems to be fine.

 

[The Saints]

There's a software update to fix it so no worries.

There's a lot of unhappy customers who have suffered even after the update.

 

[BikerGraham]

My e-class does exactly the same. I will try your hack to train it.

Have a GLC with the 9G
9th gear at around 63-65 mph most of the time but any slight incline and it drops to 8th.
100000 miles on the clock now. Lovely car overall . Had merc for last 12 years.

Have had a few issues -
transfer box knackered fortunately under warranty as it’s a massive cost to replace.
Leather on drivers seat needed replacing st 20000 miles
Stop start system needed new battery. Took dealer a year to figure this out
And the adblue system - well it’s been a nightmare from 4 months outside of warranty. Dealer has been absolutely useless. Couldn’t fix it. Got it sorted elsewhere with a specialist. After lots of time and money spent. Waiting for it to knack up again. We’ll actually going to change it before my luck runs out

 

[HugoBNB]

Have a GLC with the 9G
9th gear at around 63-65 mph most of the time but any slight incline and it drops to 8th.
100000 miles on the clock now. Lovely car overall . Had merc for last 12 years.

Have had a few issues -
transfer box knackered fortunately under warranty as it’s a massive cost to replace.
Leather on drivers seat needed replacing st 20000 miles
Stop start system needed new battery. Took dealer a year to figure this out
And the adblue system - well it’s been a nightmare from 4 months outside of warranty. Dealer has been absolutely useless. Couldn’t fix it. Got it sorted elsewhere with a specialist. After lots of time and money spent. Waiting for it to knack up again. We’ll actually going to change it before my luck runs out

Not wishing to hijack the thread, but to respond. My GLE went into 9th on or about 60mph. My SL was in 9th well below 60mph. It seems unique to the E220 model. Both the above had a lot more bhp than the E-class.

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[MichaelT]

There's a lot of unhappy customers who have suffered even after the update.

Really can you show us on here real issues rather than heresay