E-Class (W211) 2003-2009

E Class Hesitation When Changing Gears (D to R)

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old 09-26-2004, 11:47 AM
  #1  
Super Member
Thread Starter
 
luxury1's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 583
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
E Class Hesitation When Changing Gears (D to R)

Does anyone notice that the E has a tendency to hesitate before grabbing the gear from let's say Drive to Reverse or opposite? Is this normal? Is there any way around this?
Old 09-26-2004, 03:45 PM
  #2  
Member
 
onpaws's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: 20 years in Boston, MA
Posts: 178
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 2 Posts
ZipCar NYC / Boston
Are you coming to a complete stop when trying to switch gears? My W210 was a bit jerky when engaging or disengaging D, or R, but most especially when the car was not at a complete stop. (That was a 4-speed auto)

Which transmission do you have?
Old 09-27-2004, 10:13 PM
  #3  
Super Member
Thread Starter
 
luxury1's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 583
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I have the 5 speed automatic. It seems slow from Reverse to Drive for example. When someone is waiting for me to back out of a spot it takes an extra second before it gets into gear after putting it in gear. Never really experienced this hesitation with any other car so I was wondering if this is normal...
Old 09-27-2004, 11:22 PM
  #4  
Member
 
onpaws's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: 20 years in Boston, MA
Posts: 178
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 2 Posts
ZipCar NYC / Boston
Hmm. I haven't experienced that particular feeling. Anybody want to sound off on this?
Old 09-27-2004, 11:43 PM
  #5  
lig
Super Member
 
lig's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 957
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
was '03 E320 - now - '04 S4
I live on a pretty steep hill. First time I backed out of my driveway and shifted from R to D - the car rolled back 5-6 feet. Almost hit a pole.

One of the things I really dislike about the car. The dealer suggested driving in "Winter" mode. This apparently keeps the car from rolling (it also starts the car off in 2nd instead of 1st IIRC)

Kind of a lame solution in my opinion.
Old 09-28-2004, 12:33 AM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
johna1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Christchurch, New Zealand
Posts: 351
Received 4 Likes on 3 Posts
17 E220D, 11 E350 CDI(sold), 06 CLS320 CDI (sold), 05 Cadillac DeVille (gone), 04 E320 CDI (sold)
perhaps you could try pushing the other pedal
Old 09-28-2004, 04:52 AM
  #7  
lig
Super Member
 
lig's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 957
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
was '03 E320 - now - '04 S4
That works too.

The odd thing is that when I complained to the dealer - they asked me if I was a two-foot driver. He said that the car gets confused by two footed drivers.

Of course now I just stand on the brake for a few moments to prevent the car from rolling back but it seems pretty stupid just sitting there waiting for the tranny engage.
Old 09-28-2004, 06:10 AM
  #8  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
glojo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Torquay, England
Posts: 1,916
Received 14 Likes on 11 Posts
E-class E300e Estate, Sprinter (stretched limo)
Originally Posted by johna1
perhaps you could try pushing the other pedal
Hi John
Do New Zealand 211's have SBC Hold? This totally eliminates this problem.

Bye for now,
John
Sunny with a few clouds over Torquay
Old 09-28-2004, 08:07 AM
  #9  
Member
 
plocjim's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Dedham MA
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
2015 C300
Both my old C230 and the current E320 both at times exhibited what I describe as "turbo lag" - a slight hesitation before power kicks in. For my money it always seem to happen when shifting from reverse to forward - like in a three point turn when I'm in a hurry. From a standing stop I never seem to have a probelm.

Several friends with MB's have also noted this...seems like they all drive either 320's or 230s - so maybe the more powerful engines don't show this characteristic.

There were a couple of threads about a while ago - answers ranged from how the car was still "learning" how the driver drove to maybe needing a new sensor or two.
Old 09-28-2004, 10:47 AM
  #10  
Senior Member
 
jim256's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: NC
Posts: 454
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
'03 Mercedes E320
I can't document where I read this, but I once read that MB has to modify the D-R and R-D shift on US cars to reflect that US drivers often make the shift while the car is still in motion, while in Germany that would be very uncustomary. It builds in a little more coupling slippage to prevent shocks to the drive line in the US.
Old 09-28-2004, 11:07 AM
  #11  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
moa4r's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: McLean, VA
Posts: 2,295
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
S4
Originally Posted by luxury1
I have the 5 speed automatic. It seems slow from Reverse to Drive for example. When someone is waiting for me to back out of a spot it takes an extra second before it gets into gear after putting it in gear. Never really experienced this hesitation with any other car so I was wondering if this is normal...
i know exactly what ur talking about, but it only happens in reverse, it just takes an extra second to engage reverse after u shift it into R; I just got used to it...IMO it takes longer than most other auto cars i've driven/owned, but not a big deal
Old 09-28-2004, 12:03 PM
  #12  
Super Member
 
Spartan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 819
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
06 320E CDI, Porsche 911 C2, Pontiac Montana
The worse possible thing you can do to your transmission is shift from forward to reverse if the car has not stopped. I would not be suprised if they have a built in time delay.
Old 09-28-2004, 12:17 PM
  #13  
Member
 
plocjim's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Dedham MA
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
2015 C300
Originally Posted by jim256
I can't document where I read this, but I once read that MB has to modify the D-R and R-D shift on US cars to reflect that US drivers often make the shift while the car is still in motion, while in Germany that would be very uncustomary. It builds in a little more coupling slippage to prevent shocks to the drive line in the US.
I'm not quite sure of the technical aspects of this, but it makes sense to me. I know that when this happens to me I always seem to be in a hurry and I believe that I'm guilty of not coming to a complete stop before shifting to drive - certainly very close, but I time it way too close when doing a 3-point turn on the busy street near the house.
Old 09-28-2004, 05:54 PM
  #14  
Senior Member
 
johna1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Christchurch, New Zealand
Posts: 351
Received 4 Likes on 3 Posts
17 E220D, 11 E350 CDI(sold), 06 CLS320 CDI (sold), 05 Cadillac DeVille (gone), 04 E320 CDI (sold)
Glojo, Yes, NZ cars have both SBC Hold and Stop.
Old 09-28-2004, 07:51 PM
  #15  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
W211 Ryda's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: San Diego
Posts: 1,783
Likes: 0
Received 17 Likes on 3 Posts
2004 E320
Happens to me whenever I change from R to D. I hated the delay at first, but now I'm used to it. Doesn't bother me as much.
Old 09-28-2004, 08:45 PM
  #16  
Out Of Control!!
 
Brian_I.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Staples Center
Posts: 14,362
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
w211 & w124
Happens on my CLK as well as my 530i. I guess maybe it's a German thing. Just think of it as a good thing. Like, "Oh your Accord doesn't have ADT (automatically delayed transmisson)? What a piece of crap!".
Old 09-29-2004, 04:45 AM
  #17  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
glojo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Torquay, England
Posts: 1,916
Received 14 Likes on 11 Posts
E-class E300e Estate, Sprinter (stretched limo)
Originally Posted by johna1
Glojo, Yes, NZ cars have both SBC Hold and Stop.

Hi John
Thanks very much, it appears a Global standard with the exception of the America's.

Can any of our Canadian subscribers confirm there vehicles lack this excellent fitment, that prevents the veicle from rolling when the vehicle is on an incline.

Regards,
John
Mild Autumn in Torquay

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.

Quick Reply: E Class Hesitation When Changing Gears (D to R)



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:28 AM.