gear ratio...mercedes lags
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Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Pasadena, CA
2005 C55 AMG
gear ratio...mercedes lags
I realized that my c55 lags a lot when I up shift and down shift, and the same problem occured on my 04 c230 kompressor...is there a problem on my car? or is it suppose to be like that on a stock c55? the lag was like 0.5 sec...however on BMWs the shifts were so much smoother and faster...is there anything I can do to fix this problem? suggestions?
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From: Bayonne, NJ for home/ Deland, FL for school
2002 audi s4
its my understanding that mercedes transmissions are very sluggish between shifts. such is life. bmw transmissions are considered SMG which is closer to a manual but sans the clutch. the amg automatic is still automatic.
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From: Chicago
Cee Fiddy Five
Question for those in the know, is there an AMG mod that makes the C55's tranny shift faster? And gives you the option between really hard jerky but fast shifts and normal style via a added knob? I'm not sure if I just dreamed this up, or saw it somewhere once. 
Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 229
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From: South of the Border
06 C55
C55's tranny is adaptive to your driving style. Drive like grannie and it starts to learn to shift like granny. There is a reset procedure for it that you can do yourself ( I don't remember it precisely but do a search and you should be able to find it). If it continues to lag between shifts, get it checked out because mine does not.
As to the SMG, it has a true clutch it is just actuated by the car rather than the human.
As to the SMG, it has a true clutch it is just actuated by the car rather than the human.
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Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Tampa, FL
2003 C32 AMG; 2005 Ducati 749D
Yeah, I would try the reset procedure. On my C32, there was a noticeable difference in the shifting. I thought I saw the reset procedure was a sticky somewhere, possibly over in mymbonline. Search is probably faster.
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05 C55
gear ratio....
I have a C55, and the fact of the matter is our transmission sucks! Old technology, it is more electronical vs. mechanical. Not a true sequential transmission. After looking into it, and believe me I looked into it, there is nothing you can really do. Case in point, the new C63, that's a true transmission, with blip downshifts and all.
But hey, be happy. Look at the McClaren SLR, their transmissin is based off an adaptation of ours. 5 speed, with no true sequential shifting available. FYI that car is near $500K.
But hey, be happy. Look at the McClaren SLR, their transmissin is based off an adaptation of ours. 5 speed, with no true sequential shifting available. FYI that car is near $500K.
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Joined: May 2007
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From: Oakland, California
07 E550, 02 C32, 91 300E
I have a C55, and the fact of the matter is our transmission sucks! Old technology, it is more electronical vs. mechanical. Not a true sequential transmission. After looking into it, and believe me I looked into it, there is nothing you can really do. Case in point, the new C63, that's a true transmission, with blip downshifts and all.
But hey, be happy. Look at the McClaren SLR, their transmissin is based off an adaptation of ours. 5 speed, with no true sequential shifting available. FYI that car is near $500K.
But hey, be happy. Look at the McClaren SLR, their transmissin is based off an adaptation of ours. 5 speed, with no true sequential shifting available. FYI that car is near $500K.
lol wut?
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From: Houston, TX
2005 C55 AMG
Regarding the original question, were you asking what the gear ratio is?
If so, it is 3:06, which is a highway gear obviously designed to allow top end usage, ie the autobahn.
I'm actually amazed at how much low-end grunt the C55 has w/ such a high gear ratio. This is a testimony to the great torque our engine puts out, allowing it to get a 3600 lb car rolling relatively quickly with a highway gear.
I do agree the shift lag sucks. I'm accustomed to transmissions that shift firm and quick, and on demand, to which unfortunately the C55 tranny does not. Based on conversations I've had, it appears you can spend a ton of money to have it electronically modified by one of the few facilities that has the ability to do it. (a seperate computer controls the trans --- not the same ECU that controls the engine)
Second option would be to find a Mercedes transmission specialist that can physically modify the internals, ie valve body, by increasing the line pressure on the shift. However, I'd be quite leary of letting someone break into one of these transmissions unless I was absolutely certain they are experts, and have a proven track record of risk-free results. These transmissions are not like an old GM Turbo 350 trans that simply needs a few holes drilled in the valve plates, and some washers stacked on the actuator, etc.
The C55 transmission seems to be very stout, but it's certainly not a "driver's" transmission...
Good luck!
If so, it is 3:06, which is a highway gear obviously designed to allow top end usage, ie the autobahn.
I'm actually amazed at how much low-end grunt the C55 has w/ such a high gear ratio. This is a testimony to the great torque our engine puts out, allowing it to get a 3600 lb car rolling relatively quickly with a highway gear.
I do agree the shift lag sucks. I'm accustomed to transmissions that shift firm and quick, and on demand, to which unfortunately the C55 tranny does not. Based on conversations I've had, it appears you can spend a ton of money to have it electronically modified by one of the few facilities that has the ability to do it. (a seperate computer controls the trans --- not the same ECU that controls the engine)
Second option would be to find a Mercedes transmission specialist that can physically modify the internals, ie valve body, by increasing the line pressure on the shift. However, I'd be quite leary of letting someone break into one of these transmissions unless I was absolutely certain they are experts, and have a proven track record of risk-free results. These transmissions are not like an old GM Turbo 350 trans that simply needs a few holes drilled in the valve plates, and some washers stacked on the actuator, etc.
The C55 transmission seems to be very stout, but it's certainly not a "driver's" transmission...
Good luck!
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