E-Class (W211) 2003-2009

Sluggish Tranny

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Old Feb 16, 2004 | 10:44 PM
  #1  
TREZ63's Avatar
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From: So Cal
2010 RRS ; BMW K1200R; 14 E350 ; 14 RRS on order
Sluggish Tranny

Does anyone know how I can convince my dealer that me E320 is a bit sluggish to start? When I floor it, it takes about 1 second for it to really find out that I mean business and even then I don't get the promised 7.x 0-60.

I hate to admit this, but my buddies CLK 320 (2000) beat me by one car whole length yesterday. His car has a couple less horses than mine so it really surpised me.

Does anyone have a fix for the tranny? a reference number for the fix would be great.
In the mean time I am not even going to take on an accord for fear of embarrasment.

Thanks fellas
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Old Feb 16, 2004 | 10:55 PM
  #2  
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how many miles do u have? 6 hp isnt much, that much can be lost or gained with just a regular engine from MB. if you dont have that many miles, wait a while, we have a little bit over 4000 miles, and our car is very very responsive, much much more than the begginning. also, i would expect the CLK to beat you..so if he did, i dont think your car is underrated or anything. GL. i heard if you floor your car in the first 5 minutes or something, your cars pedal will be sportier for that trip. dont know if its true, but the more you push your car, the faster the slugginess will be gone, we didnt drive our car hard for the most part, and its very responsive, so i think time is the best thinh. GL with it
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Old Feb 17, 2004 | 09:17 AM
  #3  
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From: Mansfield, TX
11 ML350W2 / 17 GLC300
The 1999 C280 I had before was much quicker than the E320. I think the difference was 200 lbs less weight and the differential gear ratio. On the other hand, the C280 wasn't as fuel efficient.
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Old Feb 17, 2004 | 09:56 AM
  #4  
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'05 A4 1.8TQM6
IMO, MB doesn't make their cars for "off the line boost"...it's meant for a smooth acceleration (maybe excluding the V8 Kompressors )

I have noticed about a second delay when flooring it in MB's...I think that's just how they are made. But then again, each person has a different perception on acceleration in their cars.
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Old Feb 17, 2004 | 10:26 AM
  #5  
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From: Chicago Western Burbs
'06 SL65
Did you race until 60MPH?

According to MB, the E320 should run 0-60MPH in 7.1 sec and CLK320 at 7.4 sec.

Off the line I can see the CLK320 taking the edge with the shorter gears (3.27 versus 3.07 on the E) and less weight.

At higher speeds, your E320 should have the edge with more Power/Torque.

Also, with other aftermarket parts that makes the car heavier such as larger rims/tires can be a disadvantage.

Last edited by LIONHEAD; Feb 17, 2004 at 11:03 AM.
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Old Feb 17, 2004 | 12:47 PM
  #6  
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From: Suburban Chicago
2013 GL550
Make sure your traction control is OFF. If it feels the slightest wheelspin it cuts the power for a second or so. I find the best acceleration with the traction off and let the car shift itself.

Bruce
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Old Feb 17, 2004 | 01:08 PM
  #7  
Gunther's Avatar
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From: Atlanta, GA
1988 560SL (sold); 2001 E430 (sold); 2004 SL500; 2009 CL550
I have found that flooring in will almost always result in a delay. Instead of going all the way down to the floor...go 90% of the way and ease into the last 10% for additional acceleration.

Also, since these cars have learning transmissions they will accelerate based upon your driving habits. That doesn't mean that standing on it from a dead stop will make it faster.

If you get on it to get to speed and then remain constant in your acceleration the transmission will not be expecting you to want to have rapid acceleration.

To get the car to have more acceleration - all the time - you need to give it short, quick "doses" of acceleration as you drive...this will teach the transmission to respond quickly. It doesn't have to be 10 - 20 mph of acceleration...just show the car that you want a variable "need" for an increase in speed. The car will learn that you want and expect that at a moment's notice.

Hope this helps.

_______________

2004 SL500
2001 E430
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Old Feb 17, 2004 | 07:40 PM
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I would be interested in hearing more about your problem? In an earlier post, I mentioned a hesitation problem I am having, dropping from a higher gear to a lower gear (1st or 2nd) when excellerating. My brother has the same model and his does the same thing. My pre-nav car didn't do it so I know this isn't "just the way it is." I am so pissed I'm dropping the car off next week and telling them not to return it until it is fixed (this will be the second attempt). And people are complaining about a $60K car with audio static (yes, mine's doing that too)... Lexus, here I come...
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Old Feb 18, 2004 | 11:45 AM
  #9  
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From: So Cal
2010 RRS ; BMW K1200R; 14 E350 ; 14 RRS on order
oh man, not lexus

I just hope one of these companies comes out witha descent car in the next 35 months.

I am considering a AM DB7. I love that car.
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Old Feb 18, 2004 | 08:56 PM
  #10  
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11 ML350
This is also the new transmission. There haveing some problem with them right now. Also "drive by wire" takes a second to respond.

Brian
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Old Mar 30, 2004 | 10:49 AM
  #11  
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530
if i'm in 5th or 6th gear and floor the gas, there is a delay in down shifting.

it feels like it goes from 5th to 4th to 3rd and finally hits 2nd and takes off.
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Old Mar 31, 2004 | 07:38 PM
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Redcoupe,

Can you provide more detail on your "new transmission" comment? Thanks.
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Old Apr 3, 2004 | 07:59 AM
  #13  
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Originally posted by GDawgC220
IMO, MB doesn't make their cars for "off the line boost"...it's meant for a smooth acceleration (maybe excluding the V8 Kompressors )

I have noticed about a second delay when flooring it in MB's...I think that's just how they are made. But then again, each person has a different perception on acceleration in their cars.
I know what you mean. At first I didnt like it, but now I seem to love it. But it gets annoying when you floor it and it doesnt take off immediately! Then again these ARE luxury cars, not sports cars. hehe.
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Old Apr 3, 2004 | 10:55 AM
  #14  
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996 Turbo
Dont you guys have a Winter/summer button like us S class owners?
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Old Apr 3, 2004 | 11:48 AM
  #15  
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From: London Ont
Lexus LS 400 2000m
slow power starts

I dont know where you live but if the engine was just started and it has not reached the proper temp it will not let you off to a quick start, is like a governor that takes over, i imagine this is only to help you protect your engine in the long run. It is meant to be a sophisticated self adjusting transmission. What you are looking for is a raw brute force neck snapper then you should be looking for something other than a MB or Lexus etc. get a Mustang (Ouch!) No offence buddy.
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Old Apr 6, 2004 | 10:53 AM
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if you put it in S instead of C you definitely get a better punch when you put your foot on the gas. But there is definitely a little hesitation, I'm not sure if it is the transmission or an engine thing.

Thing that I am noticing now that is concerning me is a "thunk" noise when I let off the gas around 30-40 mph. I need to take it to the dealership....anyone else have this problem and can give me some insight...
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Old Jun 13, 2004 | 06:03 PM
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Shock of all shocks... Got a call from my dealer last week saying they think they had a fix for my tranny delay problem... So in I went for the forth time yesterday with no expectation whatsoever and guess what? HUGE difference!!! Still not 100% IMO but probably 90% there anyway. They are sending me the paperwork (didn't want to wait) but they said thet replaced some sort of air handler and updated the software. I will post details when the paperwork arrives.

I'm still shocked. I thought I'd have to settle for a $60k piece of #$%& transmission but instead they pulled through. I will still stay on top of them to tune the final 10%. I'm finally thrilled again, after a year, to driving this (now I can say) wonderful car!
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Old Jun 14, 2004 | 12:15 AM
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Originally posted by bboerit
Shock of all shocks... Got a call from my dealer last week saying they think they had a fix for my tranny delay problem... So in I went for the forth time yesterday with no expectation whatsoever and guess what? HUGE difference!!! Still not 100% IMO but probably 90% there anyway. They are sending me the paperwork (didn't want to wait) but they said thet replaced some sort of air handler and updated the software. I will post details when the paperwork arrives.

I'm still shocked. I thought I'd have to settle for a $60k piece of #$%& transmission but instead they pulled through. I will still stay on top of them to tune the final 10%. I'm finally thrilled again, after a year, to driving this (now I can say) wonderful car!
Is this the 7g transmission or the 5? Let us know what the paperwork says.
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Old Jun 14, 2004 | 01:14 AM
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From: THE NAPA VALLEY, CA
Build date 2-04 E500
Originally posted by etenn
Is this the 7g transmission or the 5? Let us know what the paperwork says.
His sig says he driving an e320 so its obviously a 5 speed....
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Old Jun 14, 2004 | 09:59 AM
  #20  
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From: Washington State
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Tell us what the repair order said if it is a 5 speed.
They should reference a factory memo. We can try to get the same result from our service departments.
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Old Jun 15, 2004 | 09:53 PM
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OK, paperwork arrived...

Although they said they were replacing the air handler and updating software, the receipt says something slightly different. It says, "electrical fault" operation 071110T0, and "Replace Air Mass Sensor" operation 071606T1. There is no mention of updated software.
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Old Jun 18, 2004 | 06:54 PM
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Don C's Avatar
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Angry ML320 hesitation

My 2002 ML320 has developed a very aggravating hesitation problem. When I depress the accelerator the car just sits there as if it doesn't quite know what to do. This last for more than the 1 sec. delay others seem to be reporting.

It is most pronounced when shifting from reverse to drive...like when backing out of a parking space.

If it is some sophisticated computer learning thing can I change it's behavior somehow???
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