I'd love to have the option to start in 1st gear (9G transmission starts in 2nd in comfort mode). I've come across some 1st gear start module for older MBs like the W124 and S class. Is there something similar for the W205?

I know that driving in sport mode makes it start in 1st, however, driving all the time in sport mode is not an option for me.

 

If you really want 1st gear, switch to sport, then after you have started out, switch back. Why do you need to start in 1st?

 

1st is so short, it's not really needed unless for a full blast start. Same with 9th gear, rarely used unless at very high speed cruising. What benefit is there in normal starts besides forcing the car to upshift at <10mph from 1-2?

 

You are right. 1st seems a bit short but to me 2nd seems a little long/high for moving off from a standstill. I'd still prefer 1st.

 

Can you leave it in comfort then bump down to 1st when you stop, with the paddle shifters, if you have those?

 

Yes, I can. However, at that point the transmission goes into manual mode and I have to manually shift into 2nd, 3rd and so on.
If I manually shift down to 1st at a standstill and switch back to auto mode (by pressing down the shift lever while still standing) then the transmission automatically shifts back into 2nd. So, yes, I've tried that and it doesn't solve my problem.
​​​​​
I was also thinking of some kind of mechanism that activates the kick down switch under the throttle without actually having to depress the pedal.

Any other suggestions?

 

To go back to auto shifting, just hold the paddle for a couple of seconds during your last desired manual shift. It will return to auto mode then.

 

I am guessing you are not the original owner / driver of the car. To make the gear shifting more personalised to you consider performing a Transmission Control Unit (TCU) reset per this link NB TCU reset is the second item, no battery disconnection is necessary.

Once the TCU is reset the car reportedly learns from the driving style of the next 15 minutes. I wanted a more sporty behaviour after having driven the car gently from new to run it in. I reset mine at a motorway service station then selected Sport mode and drove it hard. Your preferences and mileage may vary!

 

​​​​​​I knew this this trick, but shifting with the lever is instantaneous.

 

I am the original owner. In fact I've owned 2 W205s and a GLC. Bought all 3 brand new.
I know how to perform a TCU reset, but that won't change the fact that the 9G transmission starts in 2nd gear in comfort mode.

 

Sell yours and buy FL 2019+ w205. They starts in 1st gear. However, few guys in C43 forum complained why their 2019+ won't start in 2nd gear.

 

Mine is a FL 2019 w205 C300 and it starts in 2nd. Are you saying that the C43 starts in 1st gear?

 

One guy couldn't stand it and sold his 2019 C43.

PFL C43 starts in 2nd in comfort and eco.

 

Yup, the facelift C43 starts in gear 1 which I hated when test driving it, it is way too jerky. I love the fact that mines start in gear 2 if I am not in Sport+. Keep in mind though the gear ratios of the C300 and the C43 is different.

 

Thanks, I'll tale a look.
I can't stand that mine starts in 2nd. I also couldn't stand the digital instrument cluster, so I swapped it out with an analog one. I guess I'm somewhat backwards.

 

Guess if you do end up trading your C300 for a C43 then you would find other things to enjoy about it and not just that it will now shift to 1st.

 

Like the bucking rodeo?

 

May I ask did you not get a chance to test drive the vehicle before making the purchase, is that why you never knew it started in 2nd gear?

 

I mean, I am not sure if anyone enjoys that

 

That's only for the FL AMG models. The regular MB models still start in 2nd gear as they are tuned for comfort and not responsiveness.

You need a TCU tune to change any transmission mappings, but as far as I know there are no TCU tunes for the 9-speed yet. Some tuners have TCU tunes now for the 7-speed AMG MCT transmission it seems, but nothing for the 9-speed MCT either. Haven't heard of TCU tunes for the regular MBs, though. Basically if you want a more responsive car off the line, you need to go AMG, or use the Sport modes, as you've already discovered, to get more pep, or manually shift yourself.

 

I did test drive it and knew that it started in 2nd. I thought that I'd get used to it. I can't...

 

What is a "bucking rodeo"?

 

Thanks for your response. I don't want more responsiveness, power or pep. I just want it to start in 1st. It's a psychological thing for me. I come from manual cars and starting in 2nd brings back bad memories.

 

If you ever driven a manual transmission car, this phenomenon occurs when you put it in 1st gear and decide to gas hard and release soon after, making it look like you are riding a rodeo bull.

C43 in other hand decides that for you from it's genius ecu and when you feather your gas on S+, car thinks you are going but you are not, combine with your gas foot being indecisive, it performs the motion.

 

Like jerking back and forth? I call that "the gas is coarse".