Lot 9217: 1993 Mercedes-Benz CL500

The 1993 Mercedes-Benz CL500 uses the 4-speed 722.3 automatic transmission (4G-Tronic), which is generally robust but has a few well-documented weak points to watch for:

Most Common Issues:

1. B2 Piston/Seal Failure - This is the big one. The B2 (Reverse clutch) piston and its seals are notorious for cracking or leaking, which can cause delayed Reverse engagement or complete loss of Reverse gear. This is so common that many owners consider it a ‘when, not if’ repair.

2. Delayed Reverse Engagement - Even before complete failure, you may notice Reverse taking longer to engage, especially when cold.

3. Shift Flare - Some owners experience a brief ‘flare’ or RPM rise between 2nd and 3rd gear shifts.

4. ATF Leaks - The B2 piston cover area is a common leak point, along with the transmission pan and various seals after 30+ years.

Good News: This transmission can last 300,000+ km if properly maintained. The key is regular ATF changes (every 60k km or so), keeping the transmission cooler clean, and rebuilding the torque converter around 200k km.

About This Specific Car: The inspection report notes the gearbox “works well” with no mentioned issues, which is encouraging. However, given the age (184k km), I’d recommend testing Reverse engagement carefully and checking for any recent transmission service records.

Would you like me to help you find similar CL500s for comparison, or do you have any other questions about this car?