DD GT3 RD

So at the Speed District Buttonwillow event this weekend EVERY session my transmission would go into a limp mode on the 3rd or 4th lap. There would be reduced power and it wouldnt let me engage manual mode either and would shift very strangely. It didnt happen at Big Willow assuming because the day was a little cooler and higher speed track, so there was more cooling.

Also I think it is time for new brake pads...not sure which way to go. Anyone know what MB charges for the stock pads?

Jon2007E63P30

Stock pads are fine. Go through one of the parts companies selling through the web.

For more aggressive pads more suited for track, I believe EBC sells "Yellow Stuff" for our cars.

The transmission is more difficult. I would try s or s+ and do manual down shifts in the turns that may need it.

BerBer63

My advice, I kept it in S mode and it seemed to be in the right gear everytime...not as fun I know but no dangerous limp mode and full throttle all the time.

Brake pads, I did OEM for about 330$ cant remember for all 4. There might be some other better options that are less dusty like Endless or Hawk it seems like.

qship5

The trans cooler is not up to the task for track use in hot weather. I have experienced this same issue when tracking in hot weather. i.e. over 100 degrees. I'm hoping that fluid motor union will come out with a larger transmission cooler for us much like they did with a larger oil cooler.

IAA-C63

I also found the transmissions to be the weak link during my day at Lime Rock for the AMG driving academy.

jakio

I experienced it everytimes when i track on a hot day.

_AMG_

The trans will do that, It will automatically go into limp mode when it overheats, especially on a hot day.

You got a PM about the brake pads.

solekeeper

amg, can you pm whatever you pm'd him? Do you sell pads or something?

Looking for prices on pads as well.

BIGjohnny

I drive on M mode on daily basis and on track. Never had a limp mode. I've heard that C63s are more prone to limp mode, don't know why. One of the C63 experienced limp mode on the last Big Willow event. Guess you lucked out on that one =)

Stock brake pads for the fronts are roughly anywhere from $275 to $350 for parts depending which dealership you buy it from.

C63newdude

When I read these post it makes me scratch my head. I want to swear that AMG tested the motor in a ew geographic location representing extreme weather/altitude/temps.
Didn't they tested the car on the mojabe desert, then South Africa, Nurburgring, Sweeden and places like that?
I also seen a few videos of members here posting their cars on road courses and no issues, maybe someone can elaborate more...

DD GT3 RD

I drive in S mode on the track, too confusing in M mode cause it wont shift when I try sometimes then I end up in the wrong gear...POS tranny and it overheats! CRAP CRAP CRAP


Thanks AMG!! Responded

_AMG_

PM sent.

mthis

you think this trans is bad on the track wait and see the MCT like the SL and the E they have to be driving in M or C on a track, if you use S or S+ limp mode comes on the 2nd lap around. (learned that in AMG school)
We were told to short shift while using M in the E63, but the c63's they had there all were P31 and non had a problem, i know the one i drive i used M and i was redlining like crazy temps never went passed 264F.

emericr

Interesting comment from Mthis. That would be bad news if the new MCT does not hold as good as the ones we have. Anyone can confirm this?

DD GT3 RD

if I had the dough to waste I would be the first to put a manual tranny in this car! It would be so much fun to have this car with a 6 speed!

_AMG_

A sequential gear box would be pretty sick to for track purposes.

harrower

Can confirm that this. Limp kicked in on E at Road Atlanta Pro event and car ran very hot to the point had to back off. Drove new CLS at Paul Richard and it went into limp mode as well. Never had a C/SLS/SL do it yet.

DD GT3 RD

well definitely seems that Merc's arent made to deal with the track at all. It really sucked that my car kept going into limp mode...Im surprised the C63's nurburgring time was 10+ minutes for the the minute cool down it needed halfway thru the lap!!!!

Dads C63

Guys,
I believe the tranny "limp mode" is tied to the engine temperature. I have only experienced that problem once at Road Atlanta when the oil temps got above 275 degrees. I never had problems below the 265 mark. Try running without the front grill or a modified front grill. Also remove the front engine cover because it traps heat.

I am working on an additional oil cooler and will advise when and if it works. Keep the engine cooler and I don't think you will have the tranny problems. If you are running in a DE event and are running up on people, upshift and give the engine a break. You can also run the Motul 300 oil and that may help. You should also change the tranny fluid every time you put the car into limp mode because you have cooked the fluid. Also look into the intake manifold gaskets that insulate the intake from the heads. That works both ways. I have run Homestead and Sebring in very high heat many times without a problem.

SMP

To be fair, a C63 wasn't built for the track. I had my CLK numerous times at the track and never had an issue with the trans or power steering overheating. But than again, my car has oil coolers to prevent that.

Since a CLK and a C share the same transmission, ordering the oil cooler from the dealer and installing them shouldn't be too difficult. I think it's worth a try.

DD GT3 RD

Thanks for the tips. It was very hot, didn't look while on track but driving home car read 107, think engine temp ranged from 270 up once running a lap or 2

True, I was just ball busting the car...I had a blast with it on the track. Thanks for the cooler tips

DuaneC63

Hope someone develops a larger tranny cooler as this is the best solution.

MB_Forever

I ran into the same problem during the AMG Academy when driving the W212 E63s on the track... after a few hard shifts, they would go into limp mode but some definitely took longer than others. The instructors told us that AMG advised to use S instead of manual in order to alleviate some of the heat issues.

The CLK Black Series doesn't have that problem as it has an extra oil cooler, differential cooler, and tranny oil cooler.

BFNYM156

From my experience, engine limp mode and tranny limp mode are different,
on a very hot and humid track day, my engine oil temperature went up to 277 degrees, I berried my foot down to the floor, but I don't feel the power at all the straight, thats engine limp mode, after 20 mins cool down, power back again, another time, I was manual shifting the car up to 5-6 laps on the track, suddenly the tranny went into sports mode by itself, I cannot shift back to manual, I believe thats tranny limp mode, they do depend on how hard you drive, but don't seem to tie with each other.

An upgraded oil cooler is very welcome.

black-clk500

This sucks to hear (or read).

BFNYM156 brings up an interesting point and I remember reading about the tranny limp mode as described before.
So I guess it was engine limp mode and tranny limp mode you were experiencing and we all know this car can't cool down fast enough in stock trim.
This sounds like a good topic for the next live chat on the PL.
Maybe the AMG techs can shed some light on this "defect"