I think we fail to comprehend that we are not dealing with an American company but a German Company with a different mentality that has filtered down to dealerships. You know Sergeant Schultz, " "I know nothing". Just joking here.

I read an article today in Road and Track on the new C400. Here is a paragraph from that article. " The old seven speed auto isn't particularly smooth either, but rough shifts are, at least, a Mercedes trademark". I guess than, we all have our faults.

I just hope that this software "Patch" works for all you fellow C300 owners. It is a great car.

 

Almost a week after the new software patch, my car is still driving butter smooth. Hopefully it doesn't come back again. I still somehow dread that each time I drive, but have begun to enjoy the new smooth ride.

 

Well this is encouraging news. Thanks for the update Harry. Butter smooth is good by me.

 

HarryD, I am tickled to death that this software patch is working for you.

I just wish we could hear from more of the C300 owners that were experiencing this phenomena and where they currently are with this issue.

 

Got tired of being the R&D wing for Mercedes Benz' repeated failed attempts to fix our car over many months so we got a full refund and moved to a BMW 328 XDrive Luxury Line.

 

My 2 days old C300 is still at dealer after 1.5 week. No software update works for me. I was told that they have to replace my transmission. Replacing transmission for a 2 days old car with only 150 miles on the clock.

 

sorry man, that's sickening. you think a little quality check here and there would be in order for MB. in other words, how could they have missed a seemingly glaring issue? it's obviously not just an isolated case, as a number of cars with the SAME issue, IMO, classify it as a design or production issue.

those of you who's car is "fine", consider yourself lucky. if a 'software fix' eliminates the problem, well, then there you go. something isn't right on a broader level.

 

UPDATE: I finally get my car back. So far so good during my 25 miles way home.
Dealer replaced "new" transmission. Work order says remanufactured transmission, which really sick me. I paid for a custom ordered new car with a re-conditioned used transmission (probably having 100K miles on it already).
Well, I will see how this transmission in the next a few days. But, parting with it before warranty expire is inevitable.

 

I know this is an issue on other Benz models but what a crappy way for the W204 to go out in it's last year. It's almost ironic in the sense that the W204 was probably the start for MB's return to good quality after the early 2000s and in the year it should be the most reliable it has a major problem with a major component. I like how smooth my old school 5 speed unit shifts but MB needs to step it up with their 7 speed. I mean if a 6 speed ZF unit in a beat up high mileage BMW 545i I test drove shifted silky smooth then there's no reason for a Benz tranny to give these problems.

 

UPDATE 2: Replaced transmission did note cure the problem
First drive home was OK. yesterday and today, Most of time, shifting OK. but jerks are still there, just better than before. I experienced 2 big jerks yesterday. Today, on my way to work, one big jerk. New problem: when I merged to the highway on the ramp, I pressed gas peddle, engine spin at high rate (4k), but speed is not picking up (seems like not be able to shifting up). I had to release gas paddle completely and re-accelerate to speed up ( the car behind me horn me hard for not accelerating). I will test more over the July 4th long weekend. I probably bring it in again next week. Too sad have to spend so many time on a new car (350 miles on the clock as now).

 

Sorry to piggyback on this thread.

I just got my new 2014 2 weeks ago. I noticed downshifting jerk on going uphill x1 and 1x while cornering at 30mph?

No jerk on applying brake.

otherwise the suspension and the drive are much smoother than my 2010 C250 4-matic basic

Is that normal or am I experiencing the symptoms that you guys are experiencing?

 

Quick poll/question:

For all the people with W204 transmission issues on here....was your car built in Germany or South Africa?

 

I had the exact same issue of jerking while going uphill and that is why I started this thread.

But after the latest software update couple of weeks ago, no more jerking while going uphill and while braking to stop.

You should ask your dealer about the latest software update for this issue as I told that it was specifically developed to address the jerking issue while downshifting from 5 to 4 or 5 to 3.

I just hope it doesn't come back on mine.

 

Mine was built in Germany.

 

Reman trans on a brand new Benz and it's still not right... Time for your money back!

 

Why is this such a hot topic....hummm.


Shouldn't everyone be discussing the reliability of these cars. I think MB should know, or perhaps they do.


This car brings back nightmares of my 1985 ford Tempo.

 

Mine is made in Germany.

 

That's what I'm thinking now to ask my money back. I know your story. Did you ask Benz USA directly, or you ask your dealer where you bought the car? As an engineer dealing with machine most of time, I'm not very good at dealing with people.

 

Deal with both. Also explain that you will engage legal assistance, and whatever news media necessary to make this public, if MB USA refuses to help. Mercedes Benz in Germany is well aware of this issue and unless they can fix these cars easily now when a problem occurs, I suspect that there may be serious legal issues in selling a product that a manufacturer knows has major problems and is clearly not what the customer bargained for.

 

Read my sigs

 

Lawyer. Free consultation. This decreases the value for you if you want to drive it out of warranty. Depending on state that won't fly.

 

You don't need a lawyer... Start talking to Mbusa and discuss your dissatisfaction with this purchase and you want a buyback. Also do not threaten to hire a lawyer or sue, be a nice guy and be reasonable. Most advice you'll get on this issue will be from office jockeys that have never gone through the process like I have with Benz twice and acura once

Pm if you need help

 

I tried being nice and reasonable with Mercedes Canada and all it got me was months of delays and broken promises. It wasn't until I got extremely pushy that the local dealer agreed to organize a buy back of our car. So try diplomacy first, but be prepared to act if it fails.

 

So are people getting this software update -- is it working?

I absolutely love it how people come on here to talk about their issues and then never follow up in the forum to let us know what happened.. makes it pretty useless if you ask me, but to each their own.

 

I just dropped off my 3 month old C300 4Matic at the dealer. It started to jerk and jolt suddenly and intermittently during shift changes.... Let's see what the dealer tells me... I will be pissed if it doesn't get fixed... I left Lexus which never gave me a problem for 10 years to try Mercedes...