2021 CLA45 AMG Drive Unit

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Apr 2, 2021 | 03:46 PM
  #1  
Just got my car 2 weeks ago. 376 miles. Check Engine light came on regarding ESP and Blind Side Assistant. Took the car to the dealership. Just got word they are having to replace the AMG Drive Unit. 1) What is it and function 2) Should I be concerned regarding the liability of the car at this point. Appreciate any and all feedback. Thx
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Apr 2, 2021 | 04:24 PM
  #2  
The AMG Drive Unit are the controls on the steering wheel that allow you to change the drive mode and related functions. It serves a redundant purpose to the equivalent controls in the center console, however I consider the AMG Drive Unit the primary controls for changing drive mode related functions and the center console controls are the redundant ones that I use for the less frequently used functions. The AMG Drive Unit seems much more integral than one might assume and can cause strange issues with the powertrain and chassis functions if it's malfunctioning. They had coding issues from the factory on some 2019/20 models like my C63S and getting the software updated made a difference in how the car drives and specifically shifts.


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Apr 2, 2021 | 04:31 PM
  #3  
Great info and greatly appreciated. Funny you would mention “shifting” as I feel the car is sluggish during shift changes. Almost as if it is holding the rpm a bit too long. I had a CLA35 for 4 months before trading it in for the CLA45 and that shifted better. I thought since the transmissions were different hence the different feel but perhaps there is more to it than that given they are replacing the AMG Drive Unit.
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