Kain

Lets say that you are cruising on the highway and you suddenly floor it, is there a small delay while the car downshifts and accelerates or is the power almost instant from the time you punch the throttle? In my fathers 2001 E-Class, there is delay of like 1-2 seconds before it gets going. It feels very sluggish. Secondly, how is the throttle response? Does is have a sluggish feel or a "right-now" feel?

Miguk_Saram

On my e500 it depends on the Suspension mode (Comfort, Sport I, Sport II).

I've noticed that while in Comfort mode there is a slight delay, not only during acceleration, but also during breaking.

Sports I and II are more responsive in all aspects: handling, throttle, and breaking - Sport II having a sportier feel, and Sport I feeling almost like a mixture of the Comfort and Sport II modes.

04E500

The sport mode only changes the air suspension and does nothing for the motor.

Yes the car does hesitate while it selects a lower gear but the rush of acceleration is fantastic. It has an electronic throttle and the "tip in" of the throttle is gradual so as not to be jumpy. I would say it is responsive for a luxury sedan but its not what I would call sporty though the 500 does have quite a bit of thrust.

cte430

This was one area that I was always a little disappointed in with my E500. You'd stomp on the gas and there was a delay. It actually seemded to be worse in my pre-nav E500. I remember one time I had to pass someone because my lane was ending (god forbid I just got in behind him, LOL)I hit the gas, and nothing. I mean it was almost dangerous. In comparison I always thought my '00 E430 at HIGHWAY speeds had better response when the gas was hit. From a standing start, I think the E500 was quicker. No more response problems now

Kain

So, the E55 AMG has instant response? No delay when you punch the pedal?

alewifebp

I've had the same problems as you cte. I've had to try to get in front of someone, and I'm sitting there waiting and waiting. Then it lets loose and it goes. Usually at that time it has become pretty important that I produce this power. It is very frustrating.

Barry45RPM

I'd be willing to bet that by late summer, there will be a software upgrade to the computer so that the 7 speed transmission "programming" is revised. Its close, but its not ideal.

PUZZ1

What about in the E320?

JimPurdy

The delay in my E320 can be shortened by down-shifting prior to flooring it. This works quite well for passing.

kyee

It's because of this that I almost always manual shift my E500. I like to keep the RPM's a little higher than the auto shifting does. Lots of torque in the 3k - 4k range.

matt5555

I'll chime in. What I feel is happening is that it is "rev-matching". It feels as if the engine is rev-ing up to the what the RPM's will be in the lower gear, once it is reved up then it downshifts. Again a bit frustrating.... but I've gotten used to it

Kain

Anyone here driven the new 5 Series? If so, how is its throttle response and transmission compared to the E-Class?

codex57

Why don't you ask this in a poll?

04E500

I agree