Anyone else not liking the 7-speed transmission on 2012 C250
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Nissan GT-R BE / '12 Ducati-1199 Panigale S / '12 C300-4M Loaded/GLK350-4M Loaded
Yup earlier cars had issues that's for sure. (Launch Control... yikes!) My 2012 is wonderfully perfected... I'm also a Nismo Racing Tuner here in Maryland, so my baby is well maintained. Our shop actually steals all the GT-R business away from the dealer, but they don't mind. We're 100% factory authorized. 
Last edited by MBRedux; Feb 27, 2012 at 10:25 PM.
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From: Delaware
2004 Mazda6, 1993 RX7
Yup earlier cars had issues that's for sure. (Launch Control... yikes!) My 2012 is wonderfully perfected... I'm also a Nismo Racing Tuner here in Maryland, so my baby is well maintained. Our shop actually steals all the GT-R business away from the dealer, but they don't mind. We're 100% factory authorized.
Rx7-TT Turbo Control System Only
Potomic Md is a high end area. I know where Arnold lived, as I had a fellow motorhead/musician/bicyclist that lives there (Demarne & Day construction). Increadable location.
The GT-R is a real top end streetable racer .. lucky you
.
Last edited by kevink2; Feb 29, 2012 at 10:19 AM.
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
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GLE 300d (v167)
I must be one of the few who do like it. I came from an Evo X MR with the SST and the 7G in the MB feels so smooth and useful. You guys talk of lag in traffic- try driving the Evo with the dual clutch. I would get cut off by 1.3L cars in traffic!
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2012 C250
I think the car's transmission calibration is downright embarrassing. It hunts in both economy and sport modes, especially at part throttle in traffic situations. This coupled with the turbo lag makes driving very "rubber bandish" and jerky. Most rental cars I drive manage this type of driving better. Additionally, the sport mode is a joke. Absolutely painfully long shifts whether it decides to shift for itself or you tell it to.
It's unfortunate because otherwise, the car is quite fun to drive and really nice. I think with a manual it would be an absolute blast, or even with a better calibrated auto. But, as it is, it makes me quite happy that I didn't buy the car (I wouldn't have after a test drive anyway) and that it's a corporate lease.
My $.02
It's unfortunate because otherwise, the car is quite fun to drive and really nice. I think with a manual it would be an absolute blast, or even with a better calibrated auto. But, as it is, it makes me quite happy that I didn't buy the car (I wouldn't have after a test drive anyway) and that it's a corporate lease.
My $.02
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'12 C250 Coupe
I picked my C250 up last night, the trannie is pretty jerky, in both E and S. Actually, around 75mph there's a light shudder as it drives in 7th gear; I first thought it was in 6th and needed to shift up, but discovered it's already in 7th, and the RPMs were pretty low. Hopefully it gets better as it "learns", and this shudder isn't anything to worry about. Luckily, it's a lease.
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From: Orlando FL
2009 C300 4Matic Sport
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From: Orlando FL
2009 C300 4Matic Sport
I picked my C250 up last night, the trannie is pretty jerky, in both E and S. Actually, around 75mph there's a light shudder as it drives in 7th gear; I first thought it was in 6th and needed to shift up, but discovered it's already in 7th, and the RPMs were pretty low. Hopefully it gets better as it "learns", and this shudder isn't anything to worry about. Luckily, it's a lease.
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From: Acapulco Mexico
2010 C300 Sport
"It will get used to your driving..." These 7G transmissions should shift like track day all the time. Lets be honest, the whole idea of a tranny that "learns" is a crock. One drives like a banshee then gets stuck in traffic and the TCU "learns" you are a grandmother always driving to church on Sunday.
The MB dealer uploaded the latest TCU mapping for free on an A-service and for a day the C300 drove fantastically, just like I dreamed. Then after driving around town the TCU went back to its old, sluggish and stupid ways, like taking a full two seconds to downshift when savagely flooring it at any speed in any gear.
The 4 speed ZF automatic in my V12 is fantastic, instant downshifts at any speed in standard mode, and in Sport mode... look out!!!!! Chirps the rear wheels when going from 2nd to 3rd at 90 MPH. Great for going to Vegas.
I am truly disappointed with the 7G transmission, and sympathize with those with the C250 who were sold on the idea that "less is more". It just isn't!
The MB dealer uploaded the latest TCU mapping for free on an A-service and for a day the C300 drove fantastically, just like I dreamed. Then after driving around town the TCU went back to its old, sluggish and stupid ways, like taking a full two seconds to downshift when savagely flooring it at any speed in any gear.
The 4 speed ZF automatic in my V12 is fantastic, instant downshifts at any speed in standard mode, and in Sport mode... look out!!!!! Chirps the rear wheels when going from 2nd to 3rd at 90 MPH. Great for going to Vegas.
I am truly disappointed with the 7G transmission, and sympathize with those with the C250 who were sold on the idea that "less is more". It just isn't!
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From: Delaware
2004 Mazda6, 1993 RX7
"It will get used to your driving..." These 7G transmissions should shift like track day all the time. Lets be honest, the whole idea of a tranny that "learns" is a crock. One drives like a banshee then gets stuck in traffic and the TCU "learns" you are a grandmother always driving to church on Sunday.
The MB dealer uploaded the latest TCU mapping for free on an A-service and for a day the C300 drove fantastically, just like I dreamed. Then after driving around town the TCU went back to its old, sluggish and stupid ways, like taking a full two seconds to downshift when savagely flooring it at any speed in any gear.
The MB dealer uploaded the latest TCU mapping for free on an A-service and for a day the C300 drove fantastically, just like I dreamed. Then after driving around town the TCU went back to its old, sluggish and stupid ways, like taking a full two seconds to downshift when savagely flooring it at any speed in any gear.
Just a few FYI thoughts:As-is, keeping it in S or manual mode should improve things, but you still have to learn how to anticipate the shift a split sec ahead of time. Also, I thought there is an averaging process over several days for the TCU to change, so a fun day in S mode once a week should help balance the traffic days. Or mabe Manual mode operation is not included in the averaging process.
I kind of use manual mode, specifically when crawling in multi lane traffic, to keep revs up so I can quickly close a 1.5 car-length hole that someone wants to jump in .... esp an SUV Ican't see around.
And about DSG,
I tested one when we were shopping for cars (and got the C300). Tried a VW GTi Golf turbo with DSG. I thought is was primative in automatic mode, but fun in manual mode.
The need for an expensive DGC manual with paddle shfters has been deminished by new, top of the line automatics, which are just as gear driven as a manual when the TC is locked and the clutches are locked.
.
Last edited by kevink2; Aug 27, 2012 at 03:17 PM.
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From: Toronto
2022 E53 AMG
I didn't like it when I first drove me car around the city (C350 4Matic).
It took sometime but now I do not feel it...I used to drive against it...what I mean is that I used to try to keep it in a gear and push down or up depending on the gear sound. This is where I noticed that the 7 speed was learning and at that same time I can feel while I didn't like it.
Now after 3000km the 7 speed is great and I can not even feel it at all. It changes fast and does not hold very long. I can push the pedal down fast and that car will move quickly and down shift.
If I am in sports mode I can drive pushing the pedal down and the car seems to follow my foot pressure. It holds longer in a gear and brings me into the torque to have fun.
I know that the C250 is not a great match up with the 4Matic and that maybe your first problem but on the other hand that car might still be trying to figure out how you drive with the pedal. Try pushing down the pedal without taking your foot off of it until you reach your speed. Then do not move your foot up or down on the pedal. The car will shift to the highest car when you do this. If you keep adding gas the gear will shift but stay where you want it until you settle your foot again. This settling I have noticed is what causes the transmission to shift all the way even if you are not ready.
It took sometime but now I do not feel it...I used to drive against it...what I mean is that I used to try to keep it in a gear and push down or up depending on the gear sound. This is where I noticed that the 7 speed was learning and at that same time I can feel while I didn't like it.
Now after 3000km the 7 speed is great and I can not even feel it at all. It changes fast and does not hold very long. I can push the pedal down fast and that car will move quickly and down shift.
If I am in sports mode I can drive pushing the pedal down and the car seems to follow my foot pressure. It holds longer in a gear and brings me into the torque to have fun.
I know that the C250 is not a great match up with the 4Matic and that maybe your first problem but on the other hand that car might still be trying to figure out how you drive with the pedal. Try pushing down the pedal without taking your foot off of it until you reach your speed. Then do not move your foot up or down on the pedal. The car will shift to the highest car when you do this. If you keep adding gas the gear will shift but stay where you want it until you settle your foot again. This settling I have noticed is what causes the transmission to shift all the way even if you are not ready.
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From: Acapulco Mexico
2010 C300 Sport
@kevink2: Today even Top Gear called the 7G transmission LAME, and thats when driving the C63 Black Series. And definitely on a Track Day! Every single review of the W204 with the 7G transmission has complaints about it, especially compared to the BMW 3 with a very intelligent shifting behavior and near-instant 2-gear downshifting on demand.
This "learning" adaptive stuff stinks, so lets just stop denying it. Here is the Top Gear link:
http://www.topgear.com/uk/photos/top...8-29?imageNo=5
This "learning" adaptive stuff stinks, so lets just stop denying it. Here is the Top Gear link:
http://www.topgear.com/uk/photos/top...8-29?imageNo=5
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From: LI, NY, U.S.A.
2013 GLK 350 4M (Iridium Silver), 2010 E350 Coupe (Iridium Silver)
I'm afraid I've got to agree with most of the criticism on here.
I really hate it when I prod the accelerator gently to no response. Prod a little further and the thing downshifts two gears and throws the rpms into the limiter while going nowhere because it almost instantly has to shift up.
I really hate it when I prod the accelerator gently to no response. Prod a little further and the thing downshifts two gears and throws the rpms into the limiter while going nowhere because it almost instantly has to shift up.
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 29
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From: Las Vegas, NV
2012 C250
I installed cold air intake and a tuner box both from Burger Motorsport and its fantastic now. The problem is not the 7 speed auto. It's the tuning on the turbo . They dialed it down for economy ratings. Get the intake at the least. It's $130 and makes a world of difference. I never need sport mode because echo is seriously powerful now. According to a urgent, the plug and play tuner was suppoosed to give me 20 HP and 40.torques. The CAI was supposed to add 7-10 HP. Those are from their website. I plan to get it professionally tuned on a dyno soon to confirm but I promise you, for less than. $500 you can have a whole new car. It sounds way better too. It rides like a naturally aspirated V6 now. This is how the car should have been sold!
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From: Las Vegas, NV
2012 C250
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CL600
Not too throw this off-topic but 5k difference between a DSG and DCT GTR tranny? How do you figure that? A DSG lists for much cheaper from the dealer. What's the going price of DCT trans nowadays at the dealer for a 2012? Because in 09 when my buddy blew his and my friend who was master-tech at nissan at the time did the swap, warranty service showed 26,700$CAD for the trans obviously marked up from the dealer but still a 2012 trans has be at least 15k dealer cost easy no?
