Anyone else despise the '14 C250 shift lag?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 479
Likes: 122
From: Raleigh, NC
2021 C63S Coupe
Anyone else despise the '14 C250 shift lag?
Even in sport mode in my sport pkg equiped 2014 C250C I'm not impressed with the delay in either automatic or paddle shifting...it sucks.
Is there a fix for this? Perhaps a tune or tuner? If this car would shift more crisply it would be sooooo much better!
That's my one and only official complaint - not that I've had the car long, under 200 miles of very spirited driving!
Is there a fix for this? Perhaps a tune or tuner? If this car would shift more crisply it would be sooooo much better!
That's my one and only official complaint - not that I've had the car long, under 200 miles of very spirited driving!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,056
Likes: 47
From: Orlando, Florida
E350 Sport/ML350RWD
Are you driving in S or E mode? Leave it in E, manually shift and let the transmission learn your aggressive driving style. If you're ever in Orlando- I'll let you drive my car. Guarantee you'll feel a difference. I do feel the paddle shifters have a minuscule delay compared to using the gear selector.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Tampa, FL
2018 GLC300W
At what RPMs do you shift? I don't notice a lag at all, but I shift no lower than 4,000, usually around of 4,500-ish.
Of course my daily is a '13, but the '14 loaner that I had acted the same.
Of course my daily is a '13, but the '14 loaner that I had acted the same.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 479
Likes: 122
From: Raleigh, NC
2021 C63S Coupe
I have made a habit of switching it to "S" as soon as I start the engine. "E" mode starts off in 2nd gear and is just to painfully slow unless you are just tooling along. If you give it >75% throttle I understand it will start you off in 1st gear instead of 2nd...I don't like it.
So to answer the question, I use "S" almost exclusively and I am also shiftng above 4k, more times closer to the redline at 5.5 - 6K range.
I like the paddle shifters more for downshifting for upcoming curves to get the car turned in and to be in the right exit gear - a bit better than automatic can predict in my opinion.
Does the tranny "brains" only learn "E" mode? I was hoping if I keep driving it like I stole it I would eventually see an improvement. It certainly does do better when the RPM's are kept up though!
So to answer the question, I use "S" almost exclusively and I am also shiftng above 4k, more times closer to the redline at 5.5 - 6K range.
I like the paddle shifters more for downshifting for upcoming curves to get the car turned in and to be in the right exit gear - a bit better than automatic can predict in my opinion.
Does the tranny "brains" only learn "E" mode? I was hoping if I keep driving it like I stole it I would eventually see an improvement. It certainly does do better when the RPM's are kept up though!
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 479
Likes: 122
From: Raleigh, NC
2021 C63S Coupe
Hmm, I give up.
I've read the lack-luster owner manual which doesn't even go into detail for cars that have just "E" and "S" and got nowhere.
I understand the "trans won't go above a selected gear" D1-D6 thing...don't know when I'll ever have a need for that really.
The last few days I've actually been driving it in "E" mode and letting the trans just do it's thing...but sometimes I like to have a bit of fun and push it along so the question still stands - what is the best way to paddle shift this car and in what mode for the best results.
My experience in "S" mode is that once I get to crusing speed, say 70 and the car still has an upshift left if you grab the up paddle, if not you'll be about ~400 rpm higher than necessary.
Why on earth couldn't they just put an "E,S,M" in this car like the AMG and call it a day? ARGH.
I've read the lack-luster owner manual which doesn't even go into detail for cars that have just "E" and "S" and got nowhere.
I understand the "trans won't go above a selected gear" D1-D6 thing...don't know when I'll ever have a need for that really.
The last few days I've actually been driving it in "E" mode and letting the trans just do it's thing...but sometimes I like to have a bit of fun and push it along so the question still stands - what is the best way to paddle shift this car and in what mode for the best results.
My experience in "S" mode is that once I get to crusing speed, say 70 and the car still has an upshift left if you grab the up paddle, if not you'll be about ~400 rpm higher than necessary.
Why on earth couldn't they just put an "E,S,M" in this car like the AMG and call it a day? ARGH.
Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 188
Likes: 2
C350 Coupe
Hmm, I give up.
I've read the lack-luster owner manual which doesn't even go into detail for cars that have just "E" and "S" and got nowhere.
I understand the "trans won't go above a selected gear" D1-D6 thing...don't know when I'll ever have a need for that really.
The last few days I've actually been driving it in "E" mode and letting the trans just do it's thing...but sometimes I like to have a bit of fun and push it along so the question still stands - what is the best way to paddle shift this car and in what mode for the best results.
My experience in "S" mode is that once I get to crusing speed, say 70 and the car still has an upshift left if you grab the up paddle, if not you'll be about ~400 rpm higher than necessary.
I've read the lack-luster owner manual which doesn't even go into detail for cars that have just "E" and "S" and got nowhere.
I understand the "trans won't go above a selected gear" D1-D6 thing...don't know when I'll ever have a need for that really.
The last few days I've actually been driving it in "E" mode and letting the trans just do it's thing...but sometimes I like to have a bit of fun and push it along so the question still stands - what is the best way to paddle shift this car and in what mode for the best results.
My experience in "S" mode is that once I get to crusing speed, say 70 and the car still has an upshift left if you grab the up paddle, if not you'll be about ~400 rpm higher than necessary.
Also what transmission buttons do you have and where are they located in the cabin?
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 479
Likes: 122
From: Raleigh, NC
2021 C63S Coupe
"S" mode is obviously a more robust driving experience in this car - you immediately notice 1st gear starts, higher RPM shifts (in auto) and rev matching during braking (auto downshifts). I guess my only complaint with "S" mode is that when you reach cruising speed the transmission remains in 6th gear unless you remember to bump the paddle shifter up - I guess MB feels you'll have more get up and go in 6th if you're feeling sporty.
I still don't like the delay in paddle shifting though, it's way too slow in any mode, E or S or with the shift lever + or - which again, I have no idea why you MB has paddles and a shift lever option instead of just paddles in the sport version.
I still don't like the delay in paddle shifting though, it's way too slow in any mode, E or S or with the shift lever + or - which again, I have no idea why you MB has paddles and a shift lever option instead of just paddles in the sport version.
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Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 188
Likes: 2
C350 Coupe
Thanks for the picks.
Great looking car!
You don't have an M mode at all? That has the best shifts in manual. They're much quicker than sport.
There are transmission tunes coming out now that eliminate the lag. You could look in to one of those?
Great looking car!
You don't have an M mode at all? That has the best shifts in manual. They're much quicker than sport.
There are transmission tunes coming out now that eliminate the lag. You could look in to one of those?
