W203 Gearbox problem

[PearlJam]

I wish to share my experience.

Few months ago, i experienced sudden jolt while car was in motion.

Brought it to a workshop on Level 4 of Sin Min Autocare.

Had been to that workshop before, service was acceptable.

This time while waiting for the boss to get off the phone, his wife came out and scolded me non-stop because I had dropped a tiny piece of paper (the size of a finger nail) into the wrong bin which is apparently not the trash bin!   Wow, was that necessary?  Is that how she treats customers?  Or she thought I was another delivery man?  Thanks to my dressing haha,  OK, that's it.  I drove off.  Later I called the boss to explain why I left because he had looked out and saw me drove off.  He sided with his wife so I bade him "good luck and good bye".

 

But the problem persisted and seemed to get worse.

Then gradually I guess it got worse cos the car would go into 'limp mode' whereby it crawls in 3rd.

Once, it happened again when I was on the CTE so I turned off into a side road and then the car would not even shift gears.

All this while, this could be resolved temporarily by switching on and off.

 

Finally I decided to bring it into the workshop.

Went to Auto Spritz and spoke with Dennis. Excellent service. It was diagnosed as having 'speed sensor' problem but as my car is already 9 years old, I was hesitant to spend the $1'000.   We discussed and whether it was worth to repair.

Finally we agreed to drive till it stops and then scrap the car.  I paid $60 for the diagnosis gladly and drove off to a new car dealer to ask about a new car.

Well, I found out that the Sin Min workshop I had been to, and had even introduced my friends to, was not worth patronising.

And, I found Auto Spritz, a workshop I will go to again.  It was a good experience.

 

I told the salesman the problem with the car before he got a valuation on it.  I felt it was best to be completely honest about it.

However I was advised otherwise and got another 'opinion'.

Was told that $1'000 is about the cost of renting a car for a month so why not continue to drive and wait out the COE.

And apparently there might be people wanting to buy a 1-owner Merc to renew CoE.

I think this salesman has earned enough for the month.

 

Asked a friend, was directed to another workshop and the quote seemed reasonable.

So was told to buy the parts and get it fixed.

Called Golden Link Jalan Bukit Merah and the guy was so unfriendly and condescending, asking me which wheel speed sensor, front or back, then said there are no speed sensors in the gearbox.  Huh? Gearbox? Which wheel? I don't know.  I think he was deliberately trying to be funny and was totally disinterested.  Well, he lost my business, however small it might be.

 

Called another supplier who was very helpful and explained to me that it is the valve body.  Bought it for $208 including GST.

 

Got it into the workshop first thing on Monday.  Oil was dark.  Was told that if left 'untreated', the problem would have caused the clutch to burn up.

Then test drove the car with the 'computer' hooked up.  Car seemed to run OK.

 

So far so good, small damage to the wallet.  The car lived to be driven for another day, another month, till 6 Dec 2016.

 

About the speed sensor valve body thing - the mechanic explained to me that there is indeed a speed sensor in the valve body.  It measures the speed of the engine, RPM.  The other speed sensors for the wheels are for different purposes.  

 

He also advised to use the C and S option regularly when I explained that I have left the car in S mode all the time.

And also to use the manual mode regularly.  Things that are not used regularly can break down, he advised.

 

 

 

[jtang]

Glad to hear things turned out well for you. If I were you, I'd sell the car now instead of waiting out. 9 yr old cars are in demand now. The drop in COE may not be as much as your drop in resale to Parf value.

[PearlJam]

Thanks for the advice, much appreciated.

How do you mean 'in demand"?  For renewing CoE?
I have just called a C&C dealer.  My paper value now is $24'000+.  He offered me $1'000 for the body in return for buying his C180, registered on 11 Dec 2015 for $178'800, considered as one owner altho new at 12km travelled.

As my car is a 1-owner since new and no other problem now, I think it is best to use it till next Dec 2016.  By then the scrap value would be $21'000+

Does not make sense to sell it at $25'000.  No? 

[solar]

If the scrap value as u said by then is 21k and u are now offered 25k, it means for the guy his depreciation is only less than 4k.. Cheaper than the Toyotas and Nissans compared to a merc

Good deal for him leh...

Perhaps u may want to check out the selling market on oneshift or sgcarmart to get a feel of it

[kepiting1sg]

Thanks for the advice, much appreciated.

How do you mean 'in demand"?  For renewing CoE?

I have just called a C&C dealer.  My paper value now is $24'000+.  He offered me $1'000 for the body in return for buying his C180, registered on 11 Dec 2015 for $178'800, considered as one owner altho new at 12km travelled.

As my car is a 1-owner since new and no other problem now, I think it is best to use it till next Dec 2016.  By then the scrap value would be $21'000+

Does not make sense to sell it at $25'000.  No? 

 

$4000 to drive it another year;

Another Merc will likely to depreciate >$15K/year.

Why not! Unless you are itchy to change to a new car!

 

The 2004 W203 I sold my to my brother, he scrap it after coming to 10 years with a paper value of $25000 + $3000 for body.

Then he bought an used 2009 W204 C200 for $100K.

[PearlJam]

Exactly my sentiments.  After repairing the gearbox, there is nothing else to repair, touch wood.

Use it till next Dec, I would lose $3'000 on the paper.  A bonus if, by then, I can still get $1'000 for the body.

Even if I need to repair the car up to $2'000, I guess it is stil worthwhile?

Checked on SgCarMart, almost similar car asking $33'000

I have been itching to change since 7 years ago but the pain of seeing depreciation on cars made me procrastinate till now! How time flies.

[kepiting1sg]

KEEP! KEEP! KEEP!!!!

You can tahan 7 years of itch!

Why not another year? 

Don't think COE gonna shoot up the roof which will also impact prices of 2nd hand car.

Definitely not a good financial decision to scrap it now!

[solar]

Exactly my sentiments.  After repairing the gearbox, there is nothing else to repair, touch wood.

Use it till next Dec, I would lose $3'000 on the paper.  A bonus if, by then, I can still get $1'000 for the body.

Even if I need to repair the car up to $2'000, I guess it is stil worthwhile?

Checked on SgCarMart, almost similar car asking $33'000

I have been itching to change since 7 years ago but the pain of seeing depreciation on cars made me procrastinate till now! How time flies.

Ya.. A year old c class should maintain above 10k dep.. If u are really itchy then try to sell yourself loh..

Continue to drive the old workhorse if there's no taker. Nothing to lose.

[PearlJam]

After hearing your views, and I continue to welcome more (similar or different) views, I see the light now, I think!

Unless someone offers me, say $30'000 to $33'000 for my car now, I will continue to drive it till year 10.

It makes financial sense because the depreciation from now for another year is $3'000.

Another reason is that there is currently no suitable car that I am really eyeing.