Here comes the inevitable....
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From: NYC
2006 E350 4Matic, 1990 300SE, 1984 190E, 1994 BMW 540ia
Here comes the inevitable....
5 months and 4500 miles into ownership of my '06 E350 4matic......No problems, smooth sailing. Somewhere in the back of my head I know it's too good to be true. And now it starts.
On certain mornings after reversing from the garage into the driveway, I shift into drive....accelerate, the car struggles with slight vibration...like it dosen't want to move or something is holding the car. It makes me nervous so I don't push the accelerator any harder and then I shift to park for a few seconds, then back to drive. Then the car drives completely normally. This has happened spontaneously 5 or 6 times. I can bet I'm not the only one who has had this problem....Anyone know what I'm talking about? I am assuming this is some transmission problem (this is a 5-speed not 7 because it's 4matic)....Or worse yet a 4matic problem.
Well I took a chance on the newer W211 thinking DC has gotten it's act together and started making real Mercedes again....My old MB never had problems so early. Guess it was all hype, I would be more willing to accept some minor problem but if this is something major like the tranny that is unacceptable. I'm making an appointment for the dealer. Why do have a premonition of a nice fight?
<--DC--> 
On certain mornings after reversing from the garage into the driveway, I shift into drive....accelerate, the car struggles with slight vibration...like it dosen't want to move or something is holding the car. It makes me nervous so I don't push the accelerator any harder and then I shift to park for a few seconds, then back to drive. Then the car drives completely normally. This has happened spontaneously 5 or 6 times. I can bet I'm not the only one who has had this problem....Anyone know what I'm talking about? I am assuming this is some transmission problem (this is a 5-speed not 7 because it's 4matic)....Or worse yet a 4matic problem.
Well I took a chance on the newer W211 thinking DC has gotten it's act together and started making real Mercedes again....My old MB never had problems so early. Guess it was all hype, I would be more willing to accept some minor problem but if this is something major like the tranny that is unacceptable. I'm making an appointment for the dealer. Why do have a premonition of a nice fight?
<--DC-->
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From: Sacramento
'08 AM Vantage V8 - '03 E500
Do you mean that when you first try to go forward in "Drive", the car doesn't want to move at all, or does the car move forward, but with a vibration/hesitation?
I haven't noticed either happening on our '03, with the 5-speed tranny.
I haven't noticed either happening on our '03, with the 5-speed tranny.
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From: Longmont, CO
04 E320 4 Matic, 95 Audi S6, 99 Carrera 4 Cabrio, 12 Fiat 500 Sport, 00 BMW R1200C 10, BMW R1200R
Hi there,
I have a 4-Matic with a 5 speed (but maybe it is not the same transmission). Of course my car is an E320 and not a 350 like yours, but I have not had any kind of issue as the one you are describing. The only issue I had with the 4-Matic system was on day ONE! The front right axel ring seal was sweating and caused one drop to fall on my garage floor. The dealer immediately replaced the ring seal and it has been fine ever since.
I seriously doubt that you have any mechanical problems. It sounds to me like you have a software issue. If the car did not want to move but the engine revved, there might be something going on in either the SBC (anti roll back system when in C mode on the transmission) or some software parameter has the transmission in the wrong gear like 3rd. If the engine does not rev at all when you give it gas, then it might be something in the engine's throttle by wire. I specifically did not want to wait and have a relatively new engine from MB again and got my 320.
There are still other issues that it could be but I do recommend one thing: Make a videotape of the car acting up. If you don't and this problem is intermittent, then the car will never actually act up when it is at the dealer's. That is just my suggestion.
The 4-matic system has been very reliable since it came out once again in 1998.
Steve
I have a 4-Matic with a 5 speed (but maybe it is not the same transmission). Of course my car is an E320 and not a 350 like yours, but I have not had any kind of issue as the one you are describing. The only issue I had with the 4-Matic system was on day ONE! The front right axel ring seal was sweating and caused one drop to fall on my garage floor. The dealer immediately replaced the ring seal and it has been fine ever since.
I seriously doubt that you have any mechanical problems. It sounds to me like you have a software issue. If the car did not want to move but the engine revved, there might be something going on in either the SBC (anti roll back system when in C mode on the transmission) or some software parameter has the transmission in the wrong gear like 3rd. If the engine does not rev at all when you give it gas, then it might be something in the engine's throttle by wire. I specifically did not want to wait and have a relatively new engine from MB again and got my 320.
There are still other issues that it could be but I do recommend one thing: Make a videotape of the car acting up. If you don't and this problem is intermittent, then the car will never actually act up when it is at the dealer's. That is just my suggestion.
The 4-matic system has been very reliable since it came out once again in 1998.
Steve
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My E-430 transmission failed at 24,000 miles due to a transmission seal leaking fluid into the Transmission Control Unit. The car would not move, except in 2nd gear (Limp-home-mode). After $3000 for a new TCM and harness I sold the car. Kinda lost my confidence in MB. 
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My 05 E500 had similar issuses. Took it to the dealer 3-4 times and found tranny failed due to TCU in 05 are not good - 12-14 weeks got car back with new tranny and tcu and car didn't drive the same. MB bought back the car. Only had 8000 miles on it when it went away.
So miss that car. Waiting till after taxtime and maybe pick up a used E55 instead.
So miss that car. Waiting till after taxtime and maybe pick up a used E55 instead.
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Originally Posted by baldmike73
My 05 E500 had similar issuses. Took it to the dealer 3-4 times and found tranny failed due to TCU in 05 are not good - 12-14 weeks got car back with new tranny and tcu and car didn't drive the same. MB bought back the car. Only had 8000 miles on it when it went away.
So miss that car. Waiting till after taxtime and maybe pick up a used E55 instead.
So miss that car. Waiting till after taxtime and maybe pick up a used E55 instead.
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Thread Starter
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From: NYC
2006 E350 4Matic, 1990 300SE, 1984 190E, 1994 BMW 540ia
When I gently try to accelerate the car has some resistance. I know the car has he anti-roll feature but after giving it adequate revving the car hesitates. When reset to park and then drive all is well. The vibration is very subtle and it seems as if there's a very quiet low hum at the same time. It could be a SBC problem. With all the electronics in these cars, frankly it could be anything including the climate control!?!
I've heard horror stories about the E but being a faithful MB owner I came back anyways. Had my 1st MB for 20yrs, my 2nd for 15yrs. They had their share of minor problems but only once into their advancing years. NOT at 4500mi!!! This is ridiculous! My 2nd choice was the LS430. My only reason for not buying it? No 4matic only RWD. (People saying how the LS is boring blah, blah. True maybe, but it is near perfect for comfort, value and luxury. Fun to drive award goes to my Bimmer which will squash either car but nothing is more beautiful than my Mercedes. Yep I'm a sucker for looks.) Maybe I shoulda saved up and waited for the new S-class. Let's see what the stealer (dealer) has to say about my car. I swear if he blames me for the problem, I will run to Lexus.
I've heard horror stories about the E but being a faithful MB owner I came back anyways. Had my 1st MB for 20yrs, my 2nd for 15yrs. They had their share of minor problems but only once into their advancing years. NOT at 4500mi!!! This is ridiculous! My 2nd choice was the LS430. My only reason for not buying it? No 4matic only RWD. (People saying how the LS is boring blah, blah. True maybe, but it is near perfect for comfort, value and luxury. Fun to drive award goes to my Bimmer which will squash either car but nothing is more beautiful than my Mercedes. Yep I'm a sucker for looks.) Maybe I shoulda saved up and waited for the new S-class. Let's see what the stealer (dealer) has to say about my car. I swear if he blames me for the problem, I will run to Lexus.
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06 SL65 / 97 993tt /11 Suburban/ 2012 GTR (AMG è la mia Famiglia la Bestia è la mia protezione)
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Originally Posted by rockyfeller
Fun to drive award goes to my Bimmer which will squash either car
I sure agree with that statement. My 2nd car is a Bimmer (2003 530i) and it has been a JOY to drive. It is my 2nd BMW and they have both been virtually trouble free. The quality is outstanding, and from the 1st day, I thought it was a much better built car than my Mercedes. Time proved me right.
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From: USA
LS7 powered Corvette
If you are doing this quickly enough, it could be the SBC charge pump... It will do a self check and apply 60bar pressure to place the pads on the discs and check for leaks, etc.... Just an idea to throw out there, that would be considered normal. The latest SBC cars have all of the upgraded hardware which reduce the noise/vibration associated with the electronic braking system. It can still be felt... The benefits of the SBC are great but I have a feeling it is on its way out...
I haven't seen a problem with the 5 speed in a while, and never a transfer case on a 4matic 211.
I haven't seen a problem with the 5 speed in a while, and never a transfer case on a 4matic 211.
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From: Northern NJ
2014 BMW 550i
Speaking of the tranny, when I was in for my last service, they ended up keeping it for an extra week while they investigated a code that popped up. They then had to order some parts. They ended up replacing the valve body and reflashed the software. While I didn't complain of transmission problems, I had noticed that weird and jarring shift every once in a while. It seems to operate better now.
Thread Starter
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From: NYC
2006 E350 4Matic, 1990 300SE, 1984 190E, 1994 BMW 540ia
I'm sure the car does a number of checks on startup but I don't get my car out of the garage for at least 20-30 seconds of warmup. I'm sure that is enough time for all adjustments to be made. I am careful on cold starts. And with good sense I am very slow to accelerate until the car warms up. Another thing I am noticing is that the car is feeling more sluggish than before. The car had considerably more pep when I 1st bought it. It simply dosen't feel like 268 horses anymore. It's not as anxious to rev and needs a bit more effort to get up my steep hills. Frankly it's starting to feel like my Camry V6.
