I just thought I'd pass on my recent experience with our '09 Serenity. After returning from getting new tires, when backing into our driveway. Our unit stopped revving in Drive, or Reverse. After a ride on a tow truck(harrowing experience getting the rv onto the flatbed truck) to the local MB dealership, the adventure began.
First call from the dealer is that the tech has been driving the vehicle all day, hmmm. They check the transmission fluid for metal shavings, and found nothing. They did find a code that the transmission slipped once in 4th gear. Why? "We dont know,but we recommend a transmission service at $495". Ok, that makes sense (im not questioning their costs at this point). After a few more days, they get around to doing the work. The next call is "the tech dropped the transmission pan, and found lots of metal shavings, you can either continue to drive it, or put in a new tranny". Having just purchased a toad ('09 Chevy Colorado), I didnt want nagging transmission problems. How much for the tranny? My gut feeling was $5k, but then I remembered my new entry into the world of MB service, and refrained from being surprised. $9100 for a rebuilt MB tranny installed from a MB certified sprinter shop. I had time to totally freakout because the news was given on a Friday night at closing time. After contemplating an intentional propane incident, selling the rv without replacing the tranny, getting a second opinion, etc. I decided to ask for the cost breakdown of the $9100. $1100 in labor, $8k in parts! ok, thanks I said, and started hunting around. MBs warranty was 12mos/unlimited miles.
I found Silverstar transmission out of OK online. A quick call to them, and I knew things would be better. They are family owned shop that solely rebuilds MB trannies. They have a contract with fedex for their fleet of sprinters. Wonderful people whose owner took the time to chat with me on the phone for 20min about the sprinter tranny, strengths and weaknesses. They were shocked to hear that my tranny needed replacing at 37K miles. I purchased the rv with 22K miless on it, so maybe this is the cost of buying a used RV? Anyway, for $2495 and $500 core charge I had a 3yr/100k warranty transmission delivered to the dealer. Silverstar ships fedex ground, and it got to the shop in 1 day. They simplify the core return by prepaid return shipping labels with a phone number to schedule pickup.
After long delays with the MB dealer, they eventually installed the tranny. I picked it up on Saturday. Between the new tires, and the new tranny, the unit is running better than ever. I know it cost a lot, but I do believe we bought someone else's problem. Now its fixed, and I look forward to see how it does on our vacation this week. We are going to give the rv a real workout, Texas to Colorado, New Mexico, etc. Mountains while towing.
My lesson learned from this experience, is that sprinter transmissions should last many 100k miles. However, RVs tend to run the chassis near weight limits(tanks, towing, etc.) Silverstar mentioned that heat is the killer of these transmissions, and aftermarket transmission coolers work well with sprinters, but mounting space is limited for an additional cooler. Silverstar reinforces the front end of their rebuilds with a collar they designed, and they are seeing better longevity on their rebuilt units.
I will post pics when I get more time, but stay on top of your transmission service.
-Woody
First call from the dealer is that the tech has been driving the vehicle all day, hmmm. They check the transmission fluid for metal shavings, and found nothing. They did find a code that the transmission slipped once in 4th gear. Why? "We dont know,but we recommend a transmission service at $495". Ok, that makes sense (im not questioning their costs at this point). After a few more days, they get around to doing the work. The next call is "the tech dropped the transmission pan, and found lots of metal shavings, you can either continue to drive it, or put in a new tranny". Having just purchased a toad ('09 Chevy Colorado), I didnt want nagging transmission problems. How much for the tranny? My gut feeling was $5k, but then I remembered my new entry into the world of MB service, and refrained from being surprised. $9100 for a rebuilt MB tranny installed from a MB certified sprinter shop. I had time to totally freakout because the news was given on a Friday night at closing time. After contemplating an intentional propane incident, selling the rv without replacing the tranny, getting a second opinion, etc. I decided to ask for the cost breakdown of the $9100. $1100 in labor, $8k in parts! ok, thanks I said, and started hunting around. MBs warranty was 12mos/unlimited miles.
I found Silverstar transmission out of OK online. A quick call to them, and I knew things would be better. They are family owned shop that solely rebuilds MB trannies. They have a contract with fedex for their fleet of sprinters. Wonderful people whose owner took the time to chat with me on the phone for 20min about the sprinter tranny, strengths and weaknesses. They were shocked to hear that my tranny needed replacing at 37K miles. I purchased the rv with 22K miless on it, so maybe this is the cost of buying a used RV? Anyway, for $2495 and $500 core charge I had a 3yr/100k warranty transmission delivered to the dealer. Silverstar ships fedex ground, and it got to the shop in 1 day. They simplify the core return by prepaid return shipping labels with a phone number to schedule pickup.
After long delays with the MB dealer, they eventually installed the tranny. I picked it up on Saturday. Between the new tires, and the new tranny, the unit is running better than ever. I know it cost a lot, but I do believe we bought someone else's problem. Now its fixed, and I look forward to see how it does on our vacation this week. We are going to give the rv a real workout, Texas to Colorado, New Mexico, etc. Mountains while towing.
My lesson learned from this experience, is that sprinter transmissions should last many 100k miles. However, RVs tend to run the chassis near weight limits(tanks, towing, etc.) Silverstar mentioned that heat is the killer of these transmissions, and aftermarket transmission coolers work well with sprinters, but mounting space is limited for an additional cooler. Silverstar reinforces the front end of their rebuilds with a collar they designed, and they are seeing better longevity on their rebuilt units.
I will post pics when I get more time, but stay on top of your transmission service.
-Woody
?
. I meant engine/coolant temps via scangauge.