I got my car back from a Service A and the dealership installed the new transmission software (used on 2009 models) to solve the lag/hesitation issue for free.
There is a good improvement in acceleration. No noticable lag, and smoother and faster feeling accerlation. I am very happy that the new software has been installed and feel that all 2008 W204 with ATs should have this update done.

 

Can you please scan your work order receipt so we may be able to show our dealerships that there actually IS and update available. (Or anyone else who has done this update, "djf1" can you please scan yours?)

 

from the orginal post , i this the guy had it done in richmond retail . i had called them and the service advisor said she dont recall anything like that .and there is no transmission control unit update from MB as of today,
i do want to see the work order receipt for proof.

 

Strange. But yet thats what I would expect them to say :p I really hope someone posts a workorder up on here.

 

+1

 

read back.. I posted a work order

 

Oh yea I see it now. I wonder if that's enough to convince the dealership or would they better be convinced with a scanned workorder document? Thanks btw

 

I wonder... I'm going to take my car in soon for a software update.

 

THREAD REVIVAL

This is exactly what I asked the dealer to do on my recent Service A. After hooking up the car to the DAS, they confirmed that there is an engine software update but not a transmission software update for my '08. They were kind enough to flash the update as well as re-flash the tranny software to see if the lag would go away. To my amazement, I think it worked! Although there still is a noticeable lag (~0.5sec) on kickdown, it's a lot better than before (~1 to 1.5 sec). I'll see in the coming weeks if this holds up.

For all those wondering, I tested out the lag before and after update with the default throttle control values (i.e I did a throttle control reset). And for those still pining for a scanned work order, you don't need one to bring in as proof. If your dealer won't hook up the car to the DAS, then they lose your business.

 

you know, i have a 2009 and while im not getting a hesitation from kickdown (i havent floored it yet, waiting past 1000 miles), there is noticable hesitation in the transmission.

its very reluctant to shift up after i release the gas pedal. i mean its basically holding the gear and doing engine braking. this is really noticeable because i the mph really drop more quickly then they should.

any ideas? im driving in comfort mode.

 

What do you mean, shift DOWN after releasing the gas pedal? That would be a defect. Perhaps you meant shift UP?

 

fixed, thanks!

 

Yes, i feel a lag while i am already in motion. for example while cruising at 45 mph, if i want to overtake another car, it takes a long time for my car to downshift & pressing on the gas, does not really make the car pick up much speed....

 

Push down more, people are afraid to use the gas pedal, the car needs to know you are serious about requesting more power, push it, that's what its for. You'll get a positive response if you ask for it

Same thing happens with braking. You learn on the track, if you want to stop now you have to be serious with the brakes and stay on them.

On the throttle it's the same, you have to get on it if you want the car to respond, just pressing down a little doesn't signal your intentions to the car's programming, press hard, don't be afraid, it's also fun.

 

That would be fine if the engine didnt have to downshift every time i wanted power... if there was power on hand I wouldnt feel the lag.

 

i got the 2009 model and it still has a lag especially when im trying to switch lanes or if i make a turn some idiots keep nailing his car seems like his about to rear end me!!!

 

Seems a common situation. You're about ready to go around someone and the guy behind hits it just as you start out ... Why?

Oh, and that guy behind might just be in an oversize pickup with 4x4 and set up 8 inches too high, or more!

I would postulate it's because our cars look small to other folk, and small cars are slow, right? They're not looking at the MB star, they're not thinking that we have a powerful engine or not, they're seeing a small car in their way, and they're bound and determined to get around.

 

To the one who said floor it, trust me, I floor it, and the car does nothing for a long time.

These cars are amazing, but this is a weird problem.

 

If you want instant power just push and hold the gearshoft knob to the left and the transmission will place you into the optimum power gear for the current speed. The accelerator will now be very responsive. What's the problem?

 

It's another step, or if you're trying to move in a hurry for safety or something, it's something you can forget to do.

Funny thing is, tap up hard on the cruise stalk and it will accelerate you must faster than the pedal. haha.

 

it seems like perhaps the car should hold each gear longer? I noticed that it tends to shift very early? im in "S" mode too.

 

Hi djf1, can you scan and post the WO so I can show the dealer what to do to solve my lag and jerk on my gear box as well. Thanks!

 

Is there a software update for the 2011 c300 models? Mine seems to have this lag which is super annoying. I'll try a reset and see if it fixes it but I'd like to know if there is an update for my year w204 before I bring it into the dealer...

 

Precisely; I believe they programmed the shifts far too early to create a smoother ride, but allowed for this fabled kickdown which i never experience (noticeably, even when stepping on it) to allow it to tap into power when 'commanded'.

Every car gets reprogrammed by the driver; So each person here could be babying it and feathering the gas in low rpms in C and then trying to floor it. This will make your car overall factor in that type of driving for you and cause overall oddities.

Just like gas mileage. Starting from 0mpg averaged, your gas mileage is terrible. 17 or so. After driving 500 miles, youll see it at 22. If your flooring it most of the time though it might be 19.

SO average together all your featherings of the gas pedal, bouncing back and forth from gas to break (mb brakes auto put more pressure depending on how quickly you removed your foot from the gas pedal) etc etc and your going to get mixed performance results.

I believe this is prevalent especially when switching to/using the tiptronic, but also just in general driving.

One person here said it best: press your pedal where you want it and leave it. Dont think you can baby it in and get good mileage, smoothe acceleration and super fast performance. USually the latter is all you get upon pressing the pedal where its SUPPOSED To be to not "lag"

 

I have a 2008 w204 c300 is this update available for these cats? Thank you in advance.