david55838

E (not very) Classy:

Thanks for your input. If you're so against the 'Kraut BS', why are you driving a Benz? Yes, I could have gone with a Japanese brand for reliable peace of mind, but I do like German cars, and, if you'd read my post, after the slushbox debacle, I wanted a manual. That left a 5 series BMW or this car. Time will tell as to its reliability, but I find your sarcastic post dismissing my choice a bit hypocritical.

jygesq

You deserve a new car and you are going to get it,do not look back.Enjoy your new car when it gets here.

E Classy

OK, i'm in the minority here and that's fine - people should do what they think is best for them.

but i can't help but comment on the preference for german cars (assuming due to the marketing and brand name razzle-dazzle), and then 7 page threads appear with a bunch of droop about reliability and how much patience is involved with the fix process... only to acquire more german cars (the exact same model in this case) in hopes that what will be received matches a buying experience expectation that other mfgr's are better known for (i.e. lexus or acura).

benzes are nice rides, but they are not up to par with the reliability of the japanese brands. it's a give-and-take and priorities must be shifted around if more weight is given to what german brands offer over the japanese competition.

so, maybe we can agree that we are all rolling the dice somewhat with respect to our cars and the potential for patience regarding service issues. if true, then let's cut the droop, and just move forward. what is this, an AA support board for privileged luxury car buyers???

PeterUbers

I agree with you. These german cars are not nearly as bulletproof as the japanese competition. I bought into the Benz brand for the marque and not the reliability. I knew I was rolling the dice, but I doubt that I'll have three major issues back to back to back on this next E550, but if it does give me problems, I certainly am the one that welcomed this car into my life, and this forum is a great resource, one, and great to vent to co-owners about the frustrations, two.

I am blessed in my life not because I have this car, but because I have my beautiful wife and amazing two children and amazing family and friends around me, and I have my health. This car is just that, a car, and virtually meaningless in the big picture.

I do appreciate everyone's support and hopefully this thread has helped others get through the red tape with benz/MBUSA as I know it already has based on PM's I've received and from direct feedback from the dealer that is also servicing other E's with this same issue.

Cheers

PeterUbers

thanks for reading, and thanks for your support.

usamuscle

What ever makes your happy bro that's all that matters and that should be mb top priority as well.

PeterUbers

I thought I'd post back with a week of driving this thing after the fix.

The "clunk" (harsh 5th to 4th downshift under closed throttle...when slowly braking) is gone.

What has replaced it periodically is a very mild engine braking that I can perceive -- something I became very used to on my 2009 Infiniti G37x 7-spd auto. it's not every time but it's there and not at all bothersome. I have not had any harsh shifting anymore, thank goodness.

It's strange to be driving a car that will be replaced with a new one in a couple months, nevertheless, I'm still babying it, it's only got 3600 miles on it and I owe it to the next owner. I hope he or she has nothing but good luck with this vehicle.

PeterUbers

thanks, -- how's your 550 doing? you probably don't even have 2000 miles on it, right?

konigstiger

Same situation with an added circumstance – MB bought back my 03 E320 (purchase) and got me into a 06 CLS500 (lease) with no out of pocket. They allowed me to keep the 211 (several months) until 219 delivered from factory. While waiting for delivery had an accident with 211 totaling about $8500 damage (not at fault) MB said no problem just repair car through certified shop. Other driver’s insurance covered repair in addition, I received a diminished value settlement from them.

PeterUbers

Konig,

Good info, did mb require u to get a diminished value settlement or were they just happy with u fixing the car at a certified shop?

konigstiger

Only requirement - use MB certified shop to repair. DV went into my pocket.

PeterUbers

CONCLUSION:

Took delivery Tuesday of my new 2014 E550, obsidian black with black interior, added pano and that was $1071.00 out of pocket for me, but that's fine.

My first E550 was in a fender bender, $3500 in damages nonetheless (to the driver who's fault it was) but my car was repaired at a certified benz repair shop (birkholz) who did phenomenal work. MBUSA took the hit for this and cut a check for $15,500 to the naperville benz dealership when I took delivery of the new car, I only owed $1071.00, got free new plates out of it, my old car was worth $55,000 (new it was msrp 76,800, got it for $68,600 pre ttl) and mbusa paid sticker price to the naper benz dealership. My extended warranty was transferred to the new ride as was my 4 years prepaid maintenance which mbusa gave me for 50% off retail price (as part of earlier settlement).

What an ordeal -- THANK YOU to all those here that supported me and encouraged me to get mbusa involved -- smartest decision I made.

The new ride has a butter smooth transmission, has a clean title and carfax, and has about 9 miles on it right now. Love the pano roof.

Whoever is getting my old car will enjoy it, it was a solid ride after all was fixed and palladium is a sweet color.

A special thanks to my bud SolidGranite (forum member as well) for amazing support and advice throughout this whole thing... thanks man, wouldn't have gotten here without ya

Munich77

Congrats on the new ride Peter. Glad to hear that it worked out. Did you get the black headliner, too? I have the panoramic moon roof and black interior combo and it just looks stunning.

ph350

Congrats on the new car.

PeterUbers

thanks guys ... black headliner as well... it's a pretty sweet setup, agreed!

martinlarose

Congrats Peter. Enjoy your new ride and post some pics

Hybrid42

Hope no one else goes through all that. Glad you got it taken care off.

PeterUbers

Thanks, but new ride does same thing, see my new thread

K-A

DP

cupertino

Congrats Peter,

I am facing the same situation on my 2014 E350 White/Black now 10K miles. hard up shift from D1 to D2 (but dealer say its D2 to D3 because I am not on Sports mode)
Took into dealer (Stevens Creek Mercedes at San Jose, CA. that's where I got my E350 on Jan 2014) twice in last 6 months for the same problem.

1st drop off (May 2014) they gave it back after a week and confirm its the shift adaptation problem, and they updated the software to fix it.
After a couple month, I took it in for 2nd time (Jan 2015), Dealer kept for another week, and let service technician drive home to confirm the problem. The technician did felt the double bump when shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear. And they did a reset on the transmission.

Service adviser kept telling me that they can't repair if it is not broken. I am ready to file complaint at BBB,

I have been really busy between traveling and new job. Now I am ready to fight it.

Would you please PM me the case manager information "Mary Marten"
I would like to get her opinion before I file a complain.

Thank you.
Alan

Live Oak

I'm guessing that these "hard shift" problems are related to the transmission "learning" the driver's driving habits.

For four years, 60,000 miles, I've been putting up with a very hard shift when, on a very moderate hill, at slow speed, say 20-25mph, I lift my foot 1/8th inch off the gas pedal, say in anticipation of a curve, and WHAM! --- on what I think is an upshift.

I make sure this issue is on EVERY service incident I have, and that the techs say their typical "no problem found."

If the techs "reset" the transmission, it might be weeks before the tranny starts doing that again --- that's why I think it must be busy "learning" my (very conservative) driving habits before it knows how to screw me again.

I'll have a good record if the transmission falls out on the road after the extended warranty runs out --- complained multiple times of "damaging" transmission behavior with no action by MBZ. (I hope, I hope, I hope . . . )

Well, maybe my rapacious, carnivorous lawyer will have fun . . .

Trancebolt

Any of you guys that have this problem abuse the paddles for downshifting? This tranny has a double downshift function. I believe its a 5-3, if not 4-3 harsh shift at best. It does do this depending on kickdown then immediately letting off throttle orsudden braking power and of course if you train it to. doing it on upshifts is a mechanical problem.

Most ppl wont admit to it but I've had two before that got to 70k before doing it once.

This new 2012 never did it till I began speed racering and now it clacks into 3 or 1 since I factored that into the driving pattern. (adaptations) it doesn't need your help downshifting.
Also don't shift to s(06-13) while driving. Always shifts down one. Also, the 7gplus and 7g are the same regarding this functionality. All the changes did not address the mentioned characteristic.<br />
I'm sure the 9s will show qwerks very soon too.<br />
<br />
Mines do for svc b . I'm eager to try this fabled update *evil laugh*

cupertino

Strange thing is my wife has 2014 GLK350 which is a same engine & transmission and she does not have any problems on her transmission, Even the stop & Go is less noticeable when engine starts up again.

Her car is on ECO mode and always shown D2 at traffic light/complete stop.
My 2014 E350 is always on ECO mode and always shown D1 at traffic light/complete stop.
The service rep says my E350 starts on 2nd gear even it shows D1.
Not understanding the logic on that....

Trancebolt

Whether the 7 or 9 speeds, using the paddles as a gear limiter is good practice; Dont try to manual shift it , unless you have the new versions with a real manual mode where the ecu doesnt interfere or record actions;

I like to select 5 if im driving on the street with no likelihood of freeway driving; OR even 3 if i know its stop and go under 35. Just so it doesnt get ALLLLLMOST to 4 and i let off the throttle and "clunk". Or to pick 5 before going up a steep grade on the freeway so it doesnt haveto figure out thats what i need to happen from the incline % and throttle position;

Even the manual says its good practice to use it this way; yes you can use it to shift up each gear and down each gear but its so touchy and complicated; Plus it puts mor wear on the oil and gears. The more responsive a shift is, the more power drawn out of its total mph limit in each gear, the harsher the feeling. Vice versa, too light of tranny oil or too soft of shifting and itll make you seasick like a nissan maxima; (btw all you infinity guys, mbz shares alot of pieces with them...)

No doubt this is a typical issue with these transmissions, they shouldve reviewed the program. Not re-engineered the hardware' The old 5 and 7 speeds werent mechanically unsound.

I also do not recommend using the TCU reset method people speak so highly of. It actually brings this out more, as the goal is to make stronger shifts that click into place more; Will illuminate the problem more and increase your ramp up time to the TCU actually learning the real way to shift for you. First drive might be better, but the averaging of your shift points is back to 0, meaning harder for the computer to get it right

Alex.currie44

ECU reset has a high probability of solving the issue.
Easy to do in your driveway.
Put the key in the ignition and turn to the point just before start.
Press and hold the accelerator to the floor and hold for 5-10 sec.
While holding it down turn key off.
Sit in the car with the door closed for 3-4 minutes so you do not interrupt the reset process.
Go for a drive. You will feel the difference.