2011 vs 2012 shifting/response question
 

Hi,

I have read many threads here about all the differences and peoples gripes and peoples nudge towards one year vs another. I have a peculiar scenario where i drove a 2011 and 2012 e550 with same packages and same seats and same everything. I found the 2011 paddle shifters to be slow as everyone here had said and the car felt not as peppy. The 2012 seemed to be overall a lot quicker not sluggish at all and paddle shifters were a lot faster to shift as well.

I am wondering if this is the same experience someone else has had here and can chime in or there was possibly something off with the 2011 vehicle.

Both cars had airmatic and everything was set to sport.

I was fairly settled on a 2011 e550 but the sales man suggested i drive the 2012 as he said it was overall a better car.

From what i gather from here the only differences would be the turbo charge on the engine (the 2011 i am looking at is a late build and 125th anniversary so it has a colour screen and updated nav already).

I have a 2011 and a software update really pepped up my shifting points. Both automatic and manual.

Software update from Benz or 3rd party or?

The dealership did this after I brought the shifting concerns to their attention.

Good to know. thanks.

Any information on what the update was called and any technical details?

All they told me was that they found a software update was available while they were troubleshooting my issues and that resolved the issues.

If you are test driving at a Mercedes Dealership, you might ask about it to help you make your purchasing decision.

My bet is their software "update" was simply to reset the ECU as I recently did on my 2011.
Simple procedure. Assuming I have had enough coffee, here goes.
Get in and close the drivers door.
Take out the Keyless go button if equipped and insert the key.
Turn the key to the pre start position. Put the accelerator to the floor and hold for 10 sec.
While holding the accelerator down turn off the key. Release the accelerator and just sit there until all the dash lights go out. DO NOT open the door until they do.
It is an amazing difference how this resets things. With the passive adaptive nature of the ECU it changes with your driving and gets lazy. Resetting it fixes it without a "software update".

It was more than a reset. My shift points revved higher for both manual and automatic shifting after the update.

All modern transmissions are able to learn driving habits. What you are referring to will erase those learned habits and allow you to start fresh.

I have sent an email to the service manager at my dealer to check.
I do know what you experienced is very much what I experienced after an ECU reset.
I am also in there next week getting the SLK serviced and I will ask my tech.
Stay tuned.

I was waiting for the update from Alex.currie44 so i did not post.

Thanks for the input, did you find anything alex?

Anyone else who may work for benz who may have any input on this.

porksoda, my bad. Got caught up in trading my R170 and W212 in on a new R172 and totally forgot.
I have sent off a question and will get back to you tonight in all probability as I am picking up the new car today.

I spoke with my SM today and he advised that the only way they can determine what software is in the W212 I just traded is to hook it up to the computer and determine what version it is and whether there is an update pending in the system. I am hoping he can tell me what is what when they do that to prep the car for sale.

The 2012 has a new, twin-turbocharged, direct-injected engine. No wonder it feels a lot quicker.

excellent. thanks!