Hi all. My 2013 E350 starts off in 2nd when in "E" mode. My new 2015 starts in 1st however. Is this new for 2015? Used to like the smoother 2nd gear starts ecspecially in stop/go traffic.

I think it changed from the 2014 facelift onwards. They all start in first gear on E mode.

Yes, '14 onward will start in 1st after a COMPLETE stop. I think this may have been a response to the complaints of slow throttle response on earlier models.

Regards,
Don

My bluetec starts in 1st in E or S. You can easily see and feel if its doing it or not. Put it in 2nd in both modes from stop and press the pedal. If you feel the shift and see the needle jump down you know its shifting up to 2.