C450 transmission question
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
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From: MD
Cars.
C450 transmission question
Hello, everyone!
I'm picking up my C450 AMG tomorrow, and I am very excited. I did want to get a little feedback. Is the 7G-Tronic as bad as reviews make it sound? I had the 7G-Tronic in my 2014 C300 4Matic, so I'm familiar with the transmission.
I'm picking up my C450 AMG tomorrow, and I am very excited. I did want to get a little feedback. Is the 7G-Tronic as bad as reviews make it sound? I had the 7G-Tronic in my 2014 C300 4Matic, so I'm familiar with the transmission.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 721
Likes: 74
From: NYC
2016 c450 / 2016 VW Jetta 1.8t / 2006 Wrangler X
I'm coming out of a VW GLI with the daaul clutch transmission. The trannie on my c450 is leaps and bounds better than it. I forgot how smooth a true auto is compared to the DSG. With that said, I haven't driven the next gen 9 speed, but I also haven't experienced any downside to my 7 speed. I don't think it is jerky at all, and it is geared pretty perfectly IMO. On eco the RPMs stay low, and 65-70 mph is below 2k in top gear. Sport+ gear changes are fast, but it does get confused if you are coasting before a fast downshift/acceleration. I usually only notice that if I'm rolling through a 4 way stop without stopping... So I guess I deserve it.
Good luck with delivery. Don't forget to switch to sport+ as soon as the temp is good.
Good luck with delivery. Don't forget to switch to sport+ as soon as the temp is good.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 42
Likes: 2
From: Ottawa
2012 Infiniti FX50s // 2016 MB c450 AMG
I'll give you my 2 cents: I had the car for 3500 miles and I tracked the car on a very technical race track.
The 7g=tronic operates fine Under most circumstances. Drawbacks are: 1) that it is horrible for manual shifting 2) If you are in ECO and COMFORT and need to gas, it won't be very quick. Sport is quite good while Sport + was good even on the track.
I tested the 9g in the C300 coupe and for actual real driving, not much difference. We have to get real here: it is an automatic transmission, it will always be slower to respond but for all intents and purposes it does a very fine job. Read every car review and you will always get different opinions depending on the drivers on any car.
Case in point: I had an Infiniti FX50s with the 7 speed AT. Reviews were soso by I found it to be better than the 7g-tronic at the track...by a long shot.
FInally, if you go for a spirited drive, you will probably be in 3 and 4th gear most of the time. How often do you really plan to shift??
My 2 Canadian cents, feel free to disagree or agree!
-LP
The 7g=tronic operates fine Under most circumstances. Drawbacks are: 1) that it is horrible for manual shifting 2) If you are in ECO and COMFORT and need to gas, it won't be very quick. Sport is quite good while Sport + was good even on the track.
I tested the 9g in the C300 coupe and for actual real driving, not much difference. We have to get real here: it is an automatic transmission, it will always be slower to respond but for all intents and purposes it does a very fine job. Read every car review and you will always get different opinions depending on the drivers on any car.
Case in point: I had an Infiniti FX50s with the 7 speed AT. Reviews were soso by I found it to be better than the 7g-tronic at the track...by a long shot.
FInally, if you go for a spirited drive, you will probably be in 3 and 4th gear most of the time. How often do you really plan to shift??
My 2 Canadian cents, feel free to disagree or agree!
-LP
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,390
Likes: 14
From: MD
Cars.
I'll give you my 2 cents: I had the car for 3500 miles and I tracked the car on a very technical race track.
The 7g=tronic operates fine Under most circumstances. Drawbacks are: 1) that it is horrible for manual shifting 2) If you are in ECO and COMFORT and need to gas, it won't be very quick. Sport is quite good while Sport + was good even on the track.
I tested the 9g in the C300 coupe and for actual real driving, not much difference. We have to get real here: it is an automatic transmission, it will always be slower to respond but for all intents and purposes it does a very fine job. Read every car review and you will always get different opinions depending on the drivers on any car.
Case in point: I had an Infiniti FX50s with the 7 speed AT. Reviews were soso by I found it to be better than the 7g-tronic at the track...by a long shot.
FInally, if you go for a spirited drive, you will probably be in 3 and 4th gear most of the time. How often do you really plan to shift??
My 2 Canadian cents, feel free to disagree or agree!
-LP
The 7g=tronic operates fine Under most circumstances. Drawbacks are: 1) that it is horrible for manual shifting 2) If you are in ECO and COMFORT and need to gas, it won't be very quick. Sport is quite good while Sport + was good even on the track.
I tested the 9g in the C300 coupe and for actual real driving, not much difference. We have to get real here: it is an automatic transmission, it will always be slower to respond but for all intents and purposes it does a very fine job. Read every car review and you will always get different opinions depending on the drivers on any car.
Case in point: I had an Infiniti FX50s with the 7 speed AT. Reviews were soso by I found it to be better than the 7g-tronic at the track...by a long shot.
FInally, if you go for a spirited drive, you will probably be in 3 and 4th gear most of the time. How often do you really plan to shift??
My 2 Canadian cents, feel free to disagree or agree!
-LP
Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 200
Likes: 4
From: San Diego, CA
2016 C450 AMG
I will say mercedes has fixed the violent downshift that plagued the 2014 in the c450. Or I have yet to experience it. I would say the transmission is as good as it will get until its replaced with the 9g.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 505
Likes: 58
From: Gold Coast, Oz.
C300 S205 AMG, GLA 45 AMG
Yeah there is google TCU tuner.. A group in Ireland do an OBD2 tuner for the c, alters shift maps, reduces shift duration, reduces torque limits in certain gears... At least that's what they advertise...
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Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 44
Likes: 8
From: NJ
2016 C450 AMG Sport
I've had my C450 for about 4 months and put about 3500 miles on it. Like others have previously stated, when accelerating on a spirited a drive, shifts are quick and pretty smooth. One issue that I do have is when downshifting occasionally. When shifting from 2nd to 1st in manual mode, the car tends to jerk quite a bit. Oh and the little throttle blip on the downshift in Sport+ is probably one of my favorite things about the car, gimmicky, but fun nonetheless. 
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Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 200
Likes: 4
From: San Diego, CA
2016 C450 AMG
I've had my C450 for about 4 months and put about 3500 miles on it. Like others have previously stated, when accelerating on a spirited a drive, shifts are quick and pretty smooth. One issue that I do have is when downshifting occasionally. When shifting from 2nd to 1st in manual mode, the car tends to jerk quite a bit. Oh and the little throttle blip on the downshift in Sport+ is probably one of my favorite things about the car, gimmicky, but fun nonetheless.
Last edited by icanectc; Aug 18, 2016 at 12:39 PM. Reason: Fixed
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 44
Likes: 8
From: NJ
2016 C450 AMG Sport
I'm not sure actually, mine is a pretty early build so you might be right. I'm bringing it in for a exhaust rattle I've been having and i'll ask them about any new software for the trans.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 505
Likes: 58
From: Gold Coast, Oz.
C300 S205 AMG, GLA 45 AMG
Suggest you don't shift down to 1st.. sounds daft but just slow, if traffic clears pull away in 2nd, its low enough.. if not just come to a halt and the car will shift to 1st on its own and this seems smoother than shifting to 1st where the rev match is pretty poor...
Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 200
Likes: 4
From: San Diego, CA
2016 C450 AMG
Defi an option but I typically downshift for engine breaking. So while its possible to just not downshift to 1st it would defeat the purpose at least from my perspective.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 505
Likes: 58
From: Gold Coast, Oz.
C300 S205 AMG, GLA 45 AMG
I do the same extensivley engine braking BUT the shift from 2nd to first is at such low road speed and higer torque that its hard for it to be smooth... hence.. by then i use the brakes...
I have had multiple trans (TCU) updates and none have / are likley to address this as so few (relative) mercedes drivers are driving them in this particular manner to warrant the devel.. and they mat argue its not in the best interests of the long term helth of the trans etc etc .. (2nd to first nly here..)....
Anyhow all the best..
I have had multiple trans (TCU) updates and none have / are likley to address this as so few (relative) mercedes drivers are driving them in this particular manner to warrant the devel.. and they mat argue its not in the best interests of the long term helth of the trans etc etc .. (2nd to first nly here..)....
Anyhow all the best..
Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 200
Likes: 4
From: San Diego, CA
2016 C450 AMG
I see your point. I mean I bet the actual use of downshifting a benz is like .01% so why bother.
And yes just avoid the harsh downshift from 2 to 1 is probably the better route to take. But I will say the have not had this problem in my c450. It would appear it may have been solved or the transmission hasn't learned yet and hence I don't get the violent jerk. Time will tell lol
And yes just avoid the harsh downshift from 2 to 1 is probably the better route to take. But I will say the have not had this problem in my c450. It would appear it may have been solved or the transmission hasn't learned yet and hence I don't get the violent jerk. Time will tell lol
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,581
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From: Mass
2026 GLE 53 Coupe
Not that I've had transmission shifting issues with my C450 (knock on wood)...but I have to admit shifts around 2nd are a bit "firm" at times.
What I'd like to know is what are the TSB numbers for a C450 transmission reflash?
What I'd like to know is what are the TSB numbers for a C450 transmission reflash?
