oknish

I wanted to get an idea of what other GL owners think of the transmission. For some reason, and it's probably just me, I feel that the transmission is not as smooth as it should be in lower gears.

My personal experience is that every so often I can feel gears shifting from 1 to 2 and then 2 to 3. It is not very rough or lurch or anything like that. Rather I can just feel that the gears just shifted up. Shifting in higher gears has been absolutely smooth and don't feel anything. If it wasn't for the tachometer, I couldn't even tell that gears had changed.

I have been to dealers twice now on this and each time they have found a flash update and applied it. That seems to have made it a bit better but still not there yet.

So, is it just me? Anyone else care to share their experience with their GLs.

Also, for the new owners, there are a few TSBs out that talk about gear shifts including very hard down-shifts (3 to 2 and 2 to 1). If you feel that, go back to the dealer and insist that they fix according to TSB T-27.60/62E dated Nov 27, 2006.

Jack450

I've noticed that at low speeds the tranny seems to be searching for the right gear. Let's say you're at 15-20mph and want to accelerate quickly, the transmission seems to be caught off guard. Motor Trend and a couple of other testers have noticed it as well. No hard down-shifts for me. Where can I get the TSB's for the 450?

oknish

http://www.whnet.com/4x4/tsb_164.html

frank621

i am completley on the same page with you!! I have been to the dealer twice now as well for the same issue and they have done the 2 tranny updates but it does not correct the problem. I do not feel that the lower gears respond like a $70k benz should. I experience the problem in bumper to bumper the most and when I am pulling into my garage slowly then tap the gas to move in and it slams into gear.

oknish

Thanks for the feedback, frank62. And, yes, I notice this the most when driving slow (bumper 2 bumper) or pulling in the garage.

I would love to hear from others as well before I start my campaign with MB to fix it

AutoSaurus

I'm experiencing the same situation as all above. Nothing real bad but noticeable and not as bad as my ML with the same tranny.

oknish

So that makes 3 people who are noticing the same thing. And, glad that it's not as bad as ML

How about others? Come on, folks, share your experience. If we can provide combined feedback to MBUSA it has a better chance of being addressed than none. I will be doing the legwork for myself anyways and don't mind helping others along.

carpersn

I just got through the initial 1000 miles, VERY GENTLY, but i do notice what you have all mentioned. Not so much that i could complain, really, but noticeable at low speeds. Darnit.

RDriver

My 1-week old, 300 miles driven, '07 R320 with the same tranny (as ML and GL) experiences all the aboves. It happens 30-40% of the times, all around those 10-20 mph whether slowing down to a traffic light or speeding up from a stop light. Car is too new and I dont have any bumper to bumper experience to report yet.

frank621

sound like we are getting somewhere!!!

oknish

AMEN to that. I am planning to ask my dealer one more time and if not fixed then it's onwards and upwards.

And, for those who still haven't fessed up Trust me, you will feel good if you share

RDriver

Two days ago, I called my service advisor at the dealership where I bought the car from and his first response was that it is normal. I immediately responded that it is "NOT", and that it "SHOULD NOT BE". He soon said that he'll upgrade/readapt the software at the first 1,000 mile service when I bring the car in.

Yesterday, I also called MBUSA and asked to speak with a Tech Specialist in the 7-speed transmission for RClass. This specialist is well aware of this tranny issue and insisted that I bring the car in (no need to do it on the phone) for a fix (test driving, upgrading software, etc.). He also shared that only the ML, GL, and R has this "jerking" problem. The current SClass (also with a 7-speed tranny) does not, because the SClass transmission is a bigger unit than those equipped on the SUVs.

There we are, this tranny jerky problem, to me, is and should be a very fixable thing. As long as MBUSA gets their heads (MB engineers) together and come up with a "REAL FIX", not a wishy/washy software upgrade-readaptation that hasn't been working.

carpersn

A vehicle as large as the GL ought to have a transmission from the S-class...

frank621

i have had two tranny updates, 1 as recent as last week and it still does not correct the problem.

oknish

I thought that GL and S shared the same transmission, per my Service Advisor. Can anyone confirm or deny?

oknish

That makes two of us. And I am not surprised. Look at all the TSBs (below) on the transmission so far. I wll be calling my dealer today and should know more by next week. In the meantime, thanks to those who have shared their experience. The more the merrier

Issue Date TSB Number Title

Feb 9, 2007 2007010008 Campaign - MY2007 Check/update 722.9 transmission software; Update M273 SW if required

Nov 27, 2006 T-27.60/62E Auto Trans - Rough Shift Quality

Nov 7, 2006 T-27.60/68E Auto Trans - Uncomfortable 2-1 Coastdown Downshift

Oct 27, 2006 T-27.60/68D Auto Trans - Uncomfortable 2-1 Downshift When Coasting and or Braking

Sep 1, 2006 2006090001 Campaign - Sluggish Auto Trans Shifting

Jul 14, 2006 T-27.60/62D Transmission - Harsh 1-2, 3-2 and 2-1 Shifts

Jun 1, 2006 T-27.60/62C Auto Trans - Rough 1-2, 3-2, 2-1 Gearshifts

Apr 10, 2006 T-27.60/68C Auto Trans - Harsh 2-1 Downshift When Braking or Coasting

Mar 13, 2006 T-27.60/68B Auto Trans Controls - Uncomfortable 2-1 Downshift on Coastdown

Jan 20, 2006 T-27.60/68 Auto Trans Controls - Uncomfortable and or Harsh 2-1 Coast Downshift

JLP

They do have the same tranny, its called the 722.9.

oknish

That is what I had thought too. Can any S Class owners comment on their transmission quality? I think because GL weighs more the transmission may act differently but am interested to know if this is an issue in transmission? Or if it's an issue local to GL?

nantucketsleigh

I've been somewhat puzzled by this thread. Apparently shift quality issues are widespread but the quality of shifting (up/down, automatically or manual)on mine has been excellent, exceeding my 2006 E and prior BMW's w/steptronic. Knowledgeable passengers have problems detecting gear changes in auto mode. Prior to buying my GL I test drove it for about 1/2 hour, driving it like I hated it. It shifted perfectly during the test and has been perfect since I bought it in Jan. Sometimes, after my wife drives te E500, 1-2 shifts are harsh, but a few minutes of agressive driving seems to cure it.

harkgar

I reported a few months back about a new 2007 E320 Bluetec I test drove. The problem is very similar to some described in this thread. When I was slowing down to a stop and just before the car came to a complete halt there was this harsh jerk (presumably when the transmission shifted into first from second or third). This was very noticeable and not at all normal.

Otherwise the other 6 gears are good.

Nevada Jack

The '07 S550 transmission is extremely smooth. Sometimes I will detect a slight "jump" when pulling into the garage where I hit the brake waiting for the door to fully open and then accelerate a little to get the car into the garage. I will also notice a little jump after changing from C to S or the other way around sometimes but after a little driving it disappears. Nothing like my '06 S430 where I had to have a new valve control and readaptation done several times.

I am due for a B service in the next week or two and will have them check it over...probably a software adjustment. The jump is so slight and almost so undetectable that I never felt it necessary to take the car in for it.

oknish

The issues that I have experienced and others have also experienced occur only at low speeds with gentle acceleration. Think stop and go in bumper to bumper traffic. Weird part is that when I change the gears manually I don't feel bupkus. It's only when I am in auto change mode, I feel these bumps/lurches.

oknish

Did you get it fixed? And, if yes, do you mind sharing how it was fixed?

oknish

I wish that the jump I felt was slight So what was the final verdict on your '06 S430? Did it finally started performing same as your '07 S550?

I am off to dealer tomorrow so we will see what happens next.

frank621

so anything good from the dealer?!