Automatic Transmissions

Hello again John
You have helped me many times re PROPER! auto boxes on cars I have bought. Can I ask you this please?
Am looking at Mercedes 1.5 B160 Automatic about 2010/11 and the review says watch out for the poor auto box but you also say it is the same as my current Ford Cmax auto which is superb! What is the situation as I have driven only autos for 30 years and so far my Cmax and my other car Scenic Auto both have nice boxes. Will I be disappointed with the Merc as it looks to have nice comfortable seats and control.
Also should I go for the sport model with the larger wheel or the SE. As I am quite elderly I look for comfort as in my Scenic. Also I note the petrol is 1.5 only and I have always had 2L - but never drive very fast or very far.
Thanks again John for your help
Gordon

Asked on 3 December 2015 by Moggie939

Answered by Honest John
The transmission in this A and B Class is a CVT and they can give trouble. The transmission in a C-Max 1.6TDCI automatic was a CVT. In this C-Max the engine developed more torque than the transmission was rated for which is why they had problems. Not many now left alive because the cost of fixing them is more than they are worth. Later C-Max 2.0i petrol models had 4-speed torque converter auto. The auto in the current model is a dual clutch Powershift. Your Scenic might have a torque converter auto or, if it is more recent, it might have an EDC (efficient dual clutch).
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