W 212 Transmission issue. Please help!!
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 170
Likes: 1
2010 E350
W 212 Transmission issue. Please help!!
Hi,
I am new to this forum, I bought 2010 E350 4 matic like 2 months ago and it has 2400 miles right now. I love the car but i am having an awkward issue with the transmission; i get a shift lag "jerk" like a hiccup" between the 4th and 5th gear while coasting or driving normally. I have that since the 1st day I got the car. I took it to the dealer several times and they finally said it's a "product charcterstic" after they test drove similar vehicle . The interesting part, i don't get the jerk when the engine still cold or after an ECU memory reset, I understand that it's an adaptive transmission but does anyone has a similar issue? is that normal? Is there anything wrong with my driving? Please help!
Appreciated.
I am new to this forum, I bought 2010 E350 4 matic like 2 months ago and it has 2400 miles right now. I love the car but i am having an awkward issue with the transmission; i get a shift lag "jerk" like a hiccup" between the 4th and 5th gear while coasting or driving normally. I have that since the 1st day I got the car. I took it to the dealer several times and they finally said it's a "product charcterstic" after they test drove similar vehicle . The interesting part, i don't get the jerk when the engine still cold or after an ECU memory reset, I understand that it's an adaptive transmission but does anyone has a similar issue? is that normal? Is there anything wrong with my driving? Please help!
Appreciated.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 6
From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
Only had my E350 2 weeks and never experienced that. Have the same transmission in my 2010 ML550 and had it in my 06 ML500. Again have never seen that. Could be a software glitch. Insist that the dealer look into it and correct it. Its not a product characteristic.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 170
Likes: 1
2010 E350
Thank you sosh for your reply and congrats on your E 350, it's a nice car. The dealer has updated the software on both tranny and engine ECUs and still the same after it learns shifting, it is very smooth and I can't even feel it shifts between other speeds. just going up from 4 to 5 it's like going on bump!?? I had been to the dealer 5 times and insisted and they said they can't do anything about it "this is how it is". Don't know what to do next...
MBWorld Fanatic!
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Posts: 4,336
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Porsche 991S, Cayenne S, 1972 BMW 3.0CS E9 Coupe
You should go to another dealer. Also you can call MBUSA (if you're in the USA) and tell them what's happening and that you aren't getting satisfaction from your dealer.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 170
Likes: 1
2010 E350
Thank you guy your reply. I called another dealer and scheduled an appointment. It happens on C more than S mode. But do you guys feel any shift difference between 4 and 5 or all speeds shift smoothly the same?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,936
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From: Huntington NY
S560
I feel a jerk between 1+2 (upshift and down) when you are going slow and the car is trying to decide which gear is better but this would only happen in S mode, and is rare at that. I have never felt any jerk on any other gears. Quite frankly I find the tranny to be unbelievably great in nearly every way...
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 170
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2010 E350
Between 1 and 2 is very normal. The jerk in my car like if you are driving a stick shift and the car jerks when you move your foot suddenly off the clutch, that's not normal for a 7 Gtronic tranny?!
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Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,557
Likes: 24
From: Earth
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
I've taken it to the Dealer many times, they could never come up with anything ("it's normal"
), and finally, the last time they found enough of a problem (codes) to change out the valve body. It's slightly better now, but I find in "S" mode it's way too fickle and jerky, so I keep it in "C", which is almost perfect.I thought they might have refined the issue with the 212, but looks like some owners are still having problems with the 7G.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Utah
2010 E550 4matic
ash cpe
The problem you have described, occuring between 4th and 5th gear is not normal. My W212 (E550 4matic) does not do this. However, with the transmission in S mode, you may note an occasional jerk at low speeds when shifting between 1st and 2nd gear (as described by K-A), and this is why I prefer to drive in C mode.
My C219 ('06 CLS 500) had some major harsh shifting issues and the dealer also repeatedly tried to tell me it was normal. Eventually, I learned how make them deal with it. Now that you have more than 3 documented service visits for the same problem, you should take your transmission problem to the next level. Here is how I would suggest you proceed:
1) Call MBUSA customer service center and ask to speak to a rep. They will intake your information and then a case manager will be assigned to call you. Be sure to have the dates and locations of each service visit for this problem.
2) MBUSA case manager will contact you and will also contact the service manager at your dealership.
3) If the dealer is still unable to resolve your problem, they will likely send out an MBZ Regional Tech Specialist to evaluate and supervise the repair of your car.
It is important to be asssertive when you call MBUSA, but do not loose your cool with these people, as they will really try to help you if can be patient and let them. If you reach a dead end, pm me and I will help you take it to the next level. Although your dealer may not care, MBZ does not really want to have a bad car cost them a customer for life, especially not with an new model.
The problem you have described, occuring between 4th and 5th gear is not normal. My W212 (E550 4matic) does not do this. However, with the transmission in S mode, you may note an occasional jerk at low speeds when shifting between 1st and 2nd gear (as described by K-A), and this is why I prefer to drive in C mode.
My C219 ('06 CLS 500) had some major harsh shifting issues and the dealer also repeatedly tried to tell me it was normal. Eventually, I learned how make them deal with it. Now that you have more than 3 documented service visits for the same problem, you should take your transmission problem to the next level. Here is how I would suggest you proceed:
1) Call MBUSA customer service center and ask to speak to a rep. They will intake your information and then a case manager will be assigned to call you. Be sure to have the dates and locations of each service visit for this problem.
2) MBUSA case manager will contact you and will also contact the service manager at your dealership.
3) If the dealer is still unable to resolve your problem, they will likely send out an MBZ Regional Tech Specialist to evaluate and supervise the repair of your car.
It is important to be asssertive when you call MBUSA, but do not loose your cool with these people, as they will really try to help you if can be patient and let them. If you reach a dead end, pm me and I will help you take it to the next level. Although your dealer may not care, MBZ does not really want to have a bad car cost them a customer for life, especially not with an new model.
Last edited by FrozenNorth; Jan 23, 2010 at 07:42 PM. Reason: typos
Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 135
Likes: 2
From: Toronto
2010 e550 coupe , 2010 ML550
i've had my e550c since october and from day one when its cold in C or S , 1st to 2nd in sport or 2nd-3rd in C never goes over 3k rpm its like a cut off i hit 3k and it shifts but only does it once. and only when i push it, when its cold and i drive the car normal its perfect shifting. just if i start and push right away when cold i get that cut off then goes away
Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Canada
2010 E63, Iridium Silver, Black, Dark Ash, Distronic Plus, Night Vision, Premium
ash cpe
The problem you have described, occuring between 4th and 5th gear is not normal. My W212 (E550 4matic) does not do this. However, with the
transmission in S mode, you may note an occasional jerk at low speeds when shifting between 1st and 2nd gear (as described by K-A), and this is why I
prefer to drive in C mode.
My C219 ('06 CLS 500) had some major harsh shifting issues and the dealer also repeatedly tried to tell me it was normal. Eventually, I learned how make
them deal with it. Now that you have more than 3 documented service visits for the same problem, you should take your transmission problem to the next
level. Here is how I would suggest you proceed:
1) Call MBUSA customer service center and ask to speak to a rep. They will
intake your information and then a case manager will be assigned to call you.
Be sure to have the dates and locations of each service visit for this problem.
2) MBUSA case manager will contact you and will also contact the service
manager at your dealership.
3) If the dealer is still unable to resolve your problem, they will likely send out
an MBZ Regional Tech Specialist to evaluate and supervise the repair of your
car.
It is important to be asssertive when you call MBUSA, but do not loose your cool with these people, as they will really try to help you if can be patient
and let them. If you reach a dead end, pm me and I will help you take it to the next level. Although your dealer may not care, MBZ does not really want
to have a bad car cost them a customer for life, especially not with an new model.
The problem you have described, occuring between 4th and 5th gear is not normal. My W212 (E550 4matic) does not do this. However, with the
transmission in S mode, you may note an occasional jerk at low speeds when shifting between 1st and 2nd gear (as described by K-A), and this is why I
prefer to drive in C mode.
My C219 ('06 CLS 500) had some major harsh shifting issues and the dealer also repeatedly tried to tell me it was normal. Eventually, I learned how make
them deal with it. Now that you have more than 3 documented service visits for the same problem, you should take your transmission problem to the next
level. Here is how I would suggest you proceed:
1) Call MBUSA customer service center and ask to speak to a rep. They will
intake your information and then a case manager will be assigned to call you.
Be sure to have the dates and locations of each service visit for this problem.
2) MBUSA case manager will contact you and will also contact the service
manager at your dealership.
3) If the dealer is still unable to resolve your problem, they will likely send out
an MBZ Regional Tech Specialist to evaluate and supervise the repair of your
car.
It is important to be asssertive when you call MBUSA, but do not loose your cool with these people, as they will really try to help you if can be patient
and let them. If you reach a dead end, pm me and I will help you take it to the next level. Although your dealer may not care, MBZ does not really want
to have a bad car cost them a customer for life, especially not with an new model.
forum for example this list of possible MBUSA actions, above. This more a paraggraph,
lifted from the MB training manunal than a reality.
Here is my take: They don't care about you one bit They will NEVER admit to
anything being inherently wrong with their products, save for an obviously
faulty / broken part. They will never admit that they have no clue what is wrong and
try to convince you that what is obviously a malfunction is in fact a "product characteristic"
(a word set I have come to know and hate).
The "factory reps" are usually completely clueless and self-righteous to the extreme -
ALWAYS denying everything and blaming the customer.
I find the ownership of my new E550 Copue to be a frustrating and painful
experience. The best you can hope for is that you will be lucky and have no
problems (like I did with my 2003 E550 -contrary to all statistics known to mankind)
or that in time MB will figure out what is wrong. In the meantime, enjoy the car for
all the good things about it and try to forget about a jerk in the tranny.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,085
Likes: 59
From: Los Angeles
2009 SL550 Roadster Diamond White, 2008 CLK550 Coupe Obsidian Black
ya, definitely something wrong. when you go to the dealer go and ask that YOU want to drive a couple of the other ones on the lot. Don't take their word for it, they are pretty dumb in the end. The 1 to 2 and 2 to 1 is common, but 4 to 5... there is something seriously wrong.
I kept having issues with my tranny and kept telling them I think there is a problem and can u guys check for glycol. No they didn't listen. Guess what??? Tranny failure due to glycol contamination. But they don't care. They didn't flip the bill (luckly i didn't, thank you CPO warranty), MB corp did.
You just got to drill it in their heads. Come back all the time, every few weeks, that way you have service records that it was in. Always good to be aware of lemon law in the state you live in. Also, be happy you can get a loaner and at least put mileage on MBs bill. Try out a couple of different places (if you can, i know some areas you don't have a choice).
I kept having issues with my tranny and kept telling them I think there is a problem and can u guys check for glycol. No they didn't listen. Guess what??? Tranny failure due to glycol contamination. But they don't care. They didn't flip the bill (luckly i didn't, thank you CPO warranty), MB corp did.
You just got to drill it in their heads. Come back all the time, every few weeks, that way you have service records that it was in. Always good to be aware of lemon law in the state you live in. Also, be happy you can get a loaner and at least put mileage on MBs bill. Try out a couple of different places (if you can, i know some areas you don't have a choice).
Last edited by gaazmon; Jan 25, 2010 at 06:34 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,936
Likes: 349
From: Huntington NY
S560
I find it really amusing to read how AUTHORITATIVE some of us sound on this
forum for example this list of possible MBUSA actions, above. This more a paraggraph,
lifted from the MB training manunal than a reality.
Here is my take: They don't care about you one bit They will NEVER admit to
anything being inherently wrong with their products, save for an obviously
faulty / broken part. They will never admit that they have no clue what is wrong and
try to convince you that what is obviously a malfunction is in fact a "product characteristic"
(a word set I have come to know and hate).
The "factory reps" are usually completely clueless and self-righteous to the extreme -
ALWAYS denying everything and blaming the customer.
I find the ownership of my new E550 Copue to be a frustrating and painful
experience. The best you can hope for is that you will be lucky and have no
problems (like I did with my 2003 E550 -contrary to all statistics known to mankind)
or that in time MB will figure out what is wrong. In the meantime, enjoy the car for
all the good things about it and try to forget about a jerk in the tranny.
forum for example this list of possible MBUSA actions, above. This more a paraggraph,
lifted from the MB training manunal than a reality.
Here is my take: They don't care about you one bit They will NEVER admit to
anything being inherently wrong with their products, save for an obviously
faulty / broken part. They will never admit that they have no clue what is wrong and
try to convince you that what is obviously a malfunction is in fact a "product characteristic"
(a word set I have come to know and hate).
The "factory reps" are usually completely clueless and self-righteous to the extreme -
ALWAYS denying everything and blaming the customer.
I find the ownership of my new E550 Copue to be a frustrating and painful
experience. The best you can hope for is that you will be lucky and have no
problems (like I did with my 2003 E550 -contrary to all statistics known to mankind)
or that in time MB will figure out what is wrong. In the meantime, enjoy the car for
all the good things about it and try to forget about a jerk in the tranny.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,254
Likes: 15
From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
I have been tracking the new E350's considering a new one, but I will not even consider one if reliability isn't as good as my 1970 pontiac I sold years ago.
The E500 has had the lowest MTBF and highest MTTR of any vehicle I have owned. "just the facts mam, just the facts"
Hopefully the 7 speed will not be a reliability issue. I have had excellent service from my local dealer but unfortunately too many big companies only care about the $$ and not the customer. Typical blaming the customer for a product defect.
Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Canada
2010 E63, Iridium Silver, Black, Dark Ash, Distronic Plus, Night Vision, Premium
Incidentally there are also a few typos in my post. Guess, I was not careful
enough... my apologies.
And yes there are quite a few really informed folks here and it is a nice forum.
My point was not so much addressing the competence of the advice, but rather
the disarming faith some members have in the MB "process".
I am sure you can tell that I have lost that faith...
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Utah
2010 E550 4matic
ash cpe
My advice for you was based on my own positive experience resolving my 1st gen 7G transmission problems with my '06 C219. I do not claim to be an authority, but am happy to share a successful strategy with another MBZ owner in a similar situation.
When I finally contacted MBUSA, they made great efforts to evaluate, repair and resolve my problems. Had I listened to the dealer, I would have gotten nowhere.
Best of luck
My advice for you was based on my own positive experience resolving my 1st gen 7G transmission problems with my '06 C219. I do not claim to be an authority, but am happy to share a successful strategy with another MBZ owner in a similar situation.
When I finally contacted MBUSA, they made great efforts to evaluate, repair and resolve my problems. Had I listened to the dealer, I would have gotten nowhere.
Best of luck
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 170
Likes: 1
2010 E350
Hi,
Thank you all for your replies, I took it to another dealer and their service rep drove it and he said "it's a normal upshift between the 4th and 5th gear and you should feel that, when a car jerks it feels like someone is hitting you from the back" i don't know now, so if it isn't a jerk, what is it then? a hiccup? the interesting thing that it doesn't happen when driving on higher RPMs - 3500 to 4500 RPMs, however I am not an aggressive driver. Also did anyone have any problems with any of the windows? sometimes it doesn't roll up from the first time? driver side window.
Thank you all for your replies, I took it to another dealer and their service rep drove it and he said "it's a normal upshift between the 4th and 5th gear and you should feel that, when a car jerks it feels like someone is hitting you from the back" i don't know now, so if it isn't a jerk, what is it then? a hiccup? the interesting thing that it doesn't happen when driving on higher RPMs - 3500 to 4500 RPMs, however I am not an aggressive driver. Also did anyone have any problems with any of the windows? sometimes it doesn't roll up from the first time? driver side window.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,850
Likes: 56
From: New York
2025 Range Rover, 2022 BMW M850 , 2017 MB E400 Coupe
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Mercedes Benz E550 2011
shudder between 1500-2000 rpm
I have a 2011 e550 4matic and have a shuddering at low rpm which sometimes leads to a downshift. don't know if it is related to your problem but two trips to the dealer, software resets and a new transfer case have not fixed the issue. Let me know if you get any resolution
Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 119
Likes: 2
From: Perth, Western Australia
W212 E500, W164 320CDI, W116 450SEL 6.9, W116 450 SEL.
I have owned 3 M-B's with 7G tronic transmissions.
2006 ML 500 and 2007 ML320DI both clunked going into 1st when slowing to a stop. There is a factory software upgrade which was applied to my ML500 and this clunk stopped. ML320 CDI is still under warranty and has not had upgrade as yet but will have before warranty period expires as it still clunks into first.
W212 E500 (E550 to you guys) - wouldn't know it ever had more than one gear - very smooth.
Bill
2006 ML 500 and 2007 ML320DI both clunked going into 1st when slowing to a stop. There is a factory software upgrade which was applied to my ML500 and this clunk stopped. ML320 CDI is still under warranty and has not had upgrade as yet but will have before warranty period expires as it still clunks into first.
W212 E500 (E550 to you guys) - wouldn't know it ever had more than one gear - very smooth.
Bill
Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Mission Viejo, CA
03 E500, 2010 E350, 2006 550i
We have a 2010 E350 with 20,000 miles on it and no jerk or delay at all. I drive mostly in S mode but nothing even close whether a cooler morning or warm. Definitely go to another dealer.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 170
Likes: 1
2010 E350
Well I still feel the tranny change between 2 to 3 and 4 to 5, no issues while coasting, however, it got a little better after I stopped warming up the car. I think the issue more with 4matics, since I had a non 4matic E 350 as rental car in SoCal and haven't seen any issues with it, however I had a GLK 350 4matic as a loaner and it had exactly same issues as my car...
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
2010 e350 coupe
Hi,
I am new to this forum, I bought 2010 E350 4 matic like 2 months ago and it has 2400 miles right now. I love the car but i am having an awkward issue with the transmission; i get a shift lag "jerk" like a hiccup" between the 4th and 5th gear while coasting or driving normally. I have that since the 1st day I got the car. I took it to the dealer several times and they finally said it's a "product charcterstic" after they test drove similar vehicle . The interesting part, i don't get the jerk when the engine still cold or after an ECU memory reset, I understand that it's an adaptive transmission but does anyone has a similar issue? is that normal? Is there anything wrong with my driving? Please help!
Appreciated.
I am new to this forum, I bought 2010 E350 4 matic like 2 months ago and it has 2400 miles right now. I love the car but i am having an awkward issue with the transmission; i get a shift lag "jerk" like a hiccup" between the 4th and 5th gear while coasting or driving normally. I have that since the 1st day I got the car. I took it to the dealer several times and they finally said it's a "product charcterstic" after they test drove similar vehicle . The interesting part, i don't get the jerk when the engine still cold or after an ECU memory reset, I understand that it's an adaptive transmission but does anyone has a similar issue? is that normal? Is there anything wrong with my driving? Please help!
Appreciated.
