AllEyesOnMe

Does anyone else notice that even in sports mode with the paddle shifts, when you either upshift or downshift, the car responds very slowly? For example, it takes about 2 seconds for the car to upshift after I have pressed on the upshift on my steering wheel. This is pretty dysfunctional and totally worthless if the automatic mode can shift faster than me.

AllEyesOnMe

Been driving the car for a week now. It seems that the car completely ignores my manual upshifts 50% of the time. If i'm lucky enough, the car might actually listen to me and upshift after a 2 second delay. What's the point of manual mode if it's doesn't listen to me? Might as well call it "semi-manual" or something.

What is going on with this lackluster technology in such a high-end vehicle? I mean I understand it's an entry level car, but heck even lower end cars have this!

VERY disappointed with Mercedes. My 2013 528i upshifts/downshifts like a dream with absolutely no delay.

*Ends rant

Knightmare69

One, even when paddle shifting it's still an automatic. Two, I would wager a guess that part of the reason the car isn't responding is built in safety. Maybe the car doesn't agree with your shift timing? You can always try to take it to the dealer and see if there's a software issue, ie needs updating or re-downloading.

AllEyesOnMe

I will probably take it to the dealer if no one else is having the same issue as me.

It was definitely more than safe to upshift in my circumstance. I was in sports mode and the car was shifting normally at like 3k rpm, which I didn't want since it's so high. I upshifted at 2k rpm and the car just ignored me.

*However, I did read that the Dynamic Handling Package provides for a faster response time in shifting? But then again, that's a "hidden" package that is probably very uncommon to see since only very few people know it (not an option on MBUSA website).

Knightmare69

I don't see what DHP would have to do with shift response and your transmission. I would just take it to the dealer though I think they will just tell you it's normal and due to the electric input time between when you push the paddle and when the comp tells the tranny blah blah blah.

ddeliber

Did you try down shifting and driving a bit at the higher rpms (not long) it should stay in that gear, and then up shift? Does it shift right away? If it does it is probably working as intended.

The car defaults to drive or fully automatic. Up shifting does not change that setting, it will still be in drive. You can tell by what is displayed in the instrument cluster. If it is just D, up shifting via the paddle shifters will do nothing. If it shows D4 it is in 4th gear or Dx where x is the gear you are in and manual shifting is turned on. I also believe that it will down shift for you if you are in manual shifting mode so that if you stop at a stop sign in D5 it won't try to start going in 5th gear, it will drop to 2nd or 1st and shift automatically (this part I am not sure about) until it gets to 5th gear again and stay there. I also don't believe there is a D7, that is just D.

To get out of manual shifting mode you can just up shift repeatedly until you get it back to D or simply push down on the gear selector stalk.

dol4er

Actually, you cannot be in Sport mode and Manual in the same time and that is the reason why it is not working for you. You need to select M, not S, and you will change your gears whenever you want. On the screen you must see M and the 7 gears instead of D3, D4 and etc.

It may be a bit slow - 0.5 seconds delay but it shifts every time you press the paddles, for sure.

AllEyesOnMe

Thanks for the thorough response. I don't have M mode. Mine is only a C250

Any C250 owners want to chime in to see if they're having the same problem? I think this issue only applies to C250...

dol4er

Mine is also C250 and I've got three options on the button - E (economy), S (sport) and M (manual). Strange, I thought you should have it since you had the paddles...

AllEyesOnMe

Wow very strange. Is yours a 2013? Do you live in the US?

On the button where I switch between E / S, I don't see an M.

dol4er

I live in Europe, mine is 2011 C-class coupe with AMG sport package...

AllEyesOnMe

Maybe that's why. Maybe 2012 & 2013 models got downgraded. Sucks... I have 2013 C250 with AMG sports...

Maybe i will get used to the computer doing the shifts for me. I'm too used to driving my old 6 speed manual where i have 100% control...

dol4er

You definitely will get used to it I also went from 6 speed manual to automatic and now I love the automatic. I wouldn't buy manual again.

ddeliber

Mine is an E350 US model and I have two as well C/S (C is the same as E). Same transmission and probably just a different appearance. I have not seen the M, I'll bet that is a European thing, there are significantly more manual transmissions over there and I'll bet the M is just a different way of doing the same thing but I really don't know. Another difference is the E class has the gear selector stalk on the steering column vs the shifter on the console, so there may also be a right - left setting on the shifter when it is in drive to engage manual mode. This is how cars without the paddle shifters select gears with a + and - going forward and backwards on the shifter when it is pulled to the left to engage manual mode.

RLE

Doesn't ANYBODY test drive these things before buying one? After two days with a C250 service loaner recently it was clear that the mismatch between the engine and the trans was unacceptable.

idiver5

Mine is 2011 pre-FL C250 with AMG sport package (with DHP). I have E (Economy) / M (Manual) mode button and another seperate Sport button. When in E mode, the delay is just around 0.5 sec. In Sport mode, the car changes to stiffer damping and be more responsive on accelerating.

Response in 2 second delay I think is too long...

UCSD_C350

Welcome to the C-Class LOL. I just gave up and cruise slowly now

AllEyesOnMe

^^ Thanks for the warm welcome hahaha.

I wonder if there can be an aftermarket module made to correct this mismatch. I'm sure it has more to do with the software than hardware......

UCSD_C350

I think there is an ECU reflash available for the C250 which may or may not help? I'm not totally sure about what it has to offer to be honest. Every time I get in my gf's '13 C250 though, I feel like I am semi-driving the car if that makes any sense haha. I feel a lack of control (mostly in the gear shifting department) compared to BMW or any other car I've had as a matter of fact.

I love my car but I know for my next car, its AMG or bust! Sorry for the long rant but I had the exact same thoughts as you when I first bought the car and mine is a 350 lol. My friends all asked why my car took so long to shift gears and honestly, it's been bugging me since.


Edit: I just read your above posts and the E/S modes are changes with the button. To get into M mode, you just hold the shifter to the left or start with the paddle shifters and that's all the M mode is. I know people are saying "go to the dealer" but it's just the car and you unfortunately learn to time your shifts according to the lag.

Project C

Mine is the same as yours idiver5. we running on 5 speed transmission.
i cant stand the delay and then i will use only the gear stick for changing gear. its a lot faster that way.

Project C

I believe there is an Ecu flashing from C&C which i did 8 months ago.
seems a lot better but the delay is still there. maybe cut down to 0.5 sec.
Anyway , i was told the computer controls our ride. it was wire and like blah blah blah...

AllEyesOnMe

Just an update: drove the 2010 E350 Coupe and the transmission obeyed my shifts I'd say 95% of the time. I was shocked that the car would allow me to manually upshift at RPMs below 1.5k.

2 problems with C250:
1.) Transmission won't obey my manual upshifts/downshifts
2.) Transmission obeys my manual upshifts/downshifts but with about 1-2 seconds delay

Now the question is, are the transmissions in 2010 E350 different from the ones in 2013 C250, or is this merely a software issue?

kevink2

From the latest MBUSA.com :

"Adaptive logic monitors your driving style and adjusts its shift points to match, while Touch Shift control offers manual-style shifting enjoyment anytime you want it"

Your car's shift lever should have a lateral gate in the D position, that you can slide over to for manual shifting, unless that is somehow replaced with the paddels.

For the "Advanced agility control" , it stiffens shocks, and quickens shifts. You must select the S button above the climate control, and the E/S toggle switch by the shift lever is now just a M button for manual mode, at least for earlier versions.

.

Vxr-man

Hi I've got a 2012 c220 Amg blue efficiency , I'm having issues with slow gear changing either in manual paddle mode or in auto , I tried a cla 220 at the weekend and it was a totally different machine !! Sharp crisp changes that made me smile to be honest , but getting back into my c class made it seem twice as bad !! Is this common ??

snowmuch

CLA uses a dual clutch gearbox where the c250 c300 and c350 uses a ****ty 7g transmissions.