2011 vs 2012 shifting/response question
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 46
Likes: 1
From: Toronto
w212, e39
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 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).
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 46
Likes: 1
From: Toronto
w212, e39
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 323
Likes: 37
From: Dallas, Texas
2015 S550 4MATIC
If you are test driving at a Mercedes Dealership, you might ask about it to help you make your purchasing decision.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,506
Likes: 66
From: Sidney, BC
2009 SLK55 AMG. & 2022 GLA250 4Matic
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".
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".
Trending Topics
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 323
Likes: 37
From: Dallas, Texas
2015 S550 4MATIC
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.
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.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,506
Likes: 66
From: Sidney, BC
2009 SLK55 AMG. & 2022 GLA250 4Matic
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 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.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 46
Likes: 1
From: Toronto
w212, e39
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.
Thanks for the input, did you find anything alex?
Anyone else who may work for benz who may have any input on this.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,506
Likes: 66
From: Sidney, BC
2009 SLK55 AMG. & 2022 GLA250 4Matic
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 have sent off a question and will get back to you tonight in all probability as I am picking up the new car today.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,506
Likes: 66
From: Sidney, BC
2009 SLK55 AMG. & 2022 GLA250 4Matic
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.
Banned
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
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 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).
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 46
Likes: 1
From: Toronto
w212, e39
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.
