Lanzz

Mine isn't the smoothest, but it isn't materially different than the E450 I traded. I feel like the software that manages all the scenarios around 9 speeds in real world driving can only be so good - mine doesn't bother me enough to do anything about it, but it sure feels clunky sometimes.

Roni07

Our next vehicle won’t be a Mercedes for sure, too many issue and service is terrible. This brand doesn’t have out trust anymore. Better go with Lexus, Audi or Porsche for that price range.

GregW / Oregon

Your experience may vary. Hardly any issues in 15 months and 12k miles, and dealer is very good.

JustBlessed

Is it really true that it’s a ‘smart transmission’ and learns your style over time? I would feel so much better knowing this to be true as I only have 500 miles on my first Mercedes and hoping this is not what the drive is going to be like.

Roni07

- when someone makes such a claim, you know for sure that they don’t know what they are talkin a bout and trying to buy time and brush you off. I’ve been to the dealer numerous times with transmission and other issues and most of the time is just BS, so they can get you off their back. A “clunky” transmission wouldn’t simply “learn” and correct itself. There’s either a programming and /or mechanical problems.

Roni07

- my experience isn’t only based on MB dealer experience but also MB headquarters, who told me that all of the problems on their $75K vehicle are “within range” and “normal”.

TexAg91

Eh, disregard, GLE does not have a DCT.

JustBlessed

true.

Roni07

- Are you saying this is normal for this type of transmission?
so this luxury sophisticated Dual Clutch Automatic translation- feels like A Manual transmission downshifting ?
if a basic economy vehicle for one fifth of the price for a Mercedes can shift smoothly, why can’t this $75K vehicle transmission shift smoothly?

TexAg91

Nevermind

Lanzz

Tex, I get a clunky 2-1 downshift with a mild "push" of the vehicle as I roll to a stop. It's not much different than the new Ford 10 speed in the F150 and other recent complex transmissions.

Roni - not saying you should not take it to be looked at, but many many complex 8/9/10 speed transmissions (Ford / ZF - many applications / MB) have drive ability characteristics that seem clumsy.

I think the trade off of acceleration / fuel economy /performance (which is pretty impressive given that a 4,700 pound SUV is pulled around by a 2.0L 4 cylinder) is one of the things that drives transmission complexity these days...

Anyway - hope the dealer can sort it out to your satisfaction.

Roni07

I drove a 2019 F-150 ecoboost for 450 miles - highway / city - not the slightest sign of rough up shifting or down shifting. I’ve driven infinity, Honda Nissan Toyota and never ever noticed any shifting problems or issues. However driving the GLE350 it was so obvious and noticeble that the transmission of a top luxury vehicle would shift like a dune buggy, yet be told that this “smart” transmission is learning and after a software update be told that this is the new “normal”. I’m sorry but this sounds like a pot of crock. There’s nothing advanced nor sophisticated about a rough shifting transmission. It’s poor design and execution.

nc211

I’ve got the 2020 GLS450, owned it for about a week now (love it). But I too have the hiccup kick-downs on the lower gears when coming to a stop. Another poster mentioned these 9G-Tronic transmissions are dual clutch. I don’t think that is correct? I do agree this downshifting pattern is very much like a dual clutch transmission, which I am very familiar with via 10 years of also having a VW GTI (2007, 2013, 2015 - MK’s 5,6,7), each with a slightly different version of the gearbox. My current 2015 is probably the best version yet for them. And it too hiccups in the lower gears when coming to a stop. Just the way it is for the design, but they must’ve finally figured out how to smooth it out better because they finally put it into the Bentley (they own Bentley).

However, I don’t think we have a dual clutch here. I think the hiccups are influenced by the EQ Boost battery recharging system off the brakes and a computer program that isn’t quite perfected between the release of the brakes and the downshift. I could be wrong here, but the link below is what I found on the 9G. I notice when after I do slow down and then speed back up again (without stopping completely), the battery is still recharging even though I’m completely on the gas and accelerating again. That somehow makes me think friction is still happening ever so slightly to generate the recharging effect to the hybrid battery?

I suspect the “reprogramming” done at the dealership is little more than the old tried and true process of holding down the gas peddle for 30 seconds while the ignition is on but motor is off routine to clear out the learning memory and reset the shift patterns back to default. It’s a common trick used on the 7G over on the E sedan when it starts acting lumpy on acceleration.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.mbs...nsmission/amp/

Ducatisti

I agree for the most part, BUT. All of Mercedes truck with 12/16 speed gearboxes needs to learn/be thought how to be driven. Had several Actros' that had gearbox resets when we switched drivers. Most people think their gearboxes are slow and hopeless, especially if they only tried one for a week or so. But once it learns your driving style they get smoother. (Actros/Arocs will plan the gears accordingly if you set a destination in the navigation)
I don't know if this applies for their personal vehicles though, but I don't see why they don't. Its been like this on the trucks for 6-7-8 years since the MP4 came out.

Ron.s

My GLE 450 was always smooth downshifting by itself. If I skipped too many gears with the paddle shifters I might get a jerky shift.

robert c

Just a thought after reading the responses. My GLE has exhibited some of the above comments but I believe it is mostly attributed to engine management when the turbo tries to compensate for lack of power. My GLE drives horrible up in the Rockies but on the Atlantic coast it is much better but does "surge" allot when in hot days in stop and go traffic. The car drives much better when the engine is cold as more fuel is put through the injectors. I wish there was a way to give the injectors just a minute amount of more pulse width fuel.
Robert

nc211

A lot things going on at the same time when it comes to stopping on these cars. I do agree they learn. Ours appears to be quieting down a bit as we get used to how to apply the power and control it. Definitely all cars drive differently.

On ours, I notice the hiccup sometimes during the gear change down as we come to a stop, but I also notice it when it’s not changing the gear but coming to a slow stop in general. I see the “charge” side active on the battery when it happens. Really does make me think it’s somehow related to the EQ Boost system and it’s charging grab off the brakes and the use of the system in the whole starter assembly. I think it’s a programming issue moreso a mechanical problem. Software just isn’t quite there for total perfection yet.

Roni07

It seems we all know about it but Mercedes- weird. You would think MB would actually push out a reprocessing reprogramming fix so we all stop complaint about it on the internet but no Mb just won’t do it or simple doesn’t want to. I don’t know which one is it

Ali Alothman

I have exact problem I’ve take my car to the local dealer twice and they reprogram the transmission and they’ve tested many times they reported nothing with transmission an have safe journey!! I should email MB hq.
Comparing with my old car was Taurus 2014
totally different and very very smooth transmission 🥺 I lose my money with this expensive car.. does any one have a solution?

Roni07

- Don’t email but instead write them a letter MB HQ Atlanta and describe the problem and tell them many other users reporting the same thing. I think for the 2020 MB will never admit to it but quietly find a solution and push a new update through the dealer to fix the problem. That’s what happened to my 2016 GLE350 4Matic. Tranny was clunky and rough shifting and same dealer response - no problem. Then they did an control unit update and most the tranny issues disappeared. It might have taken over a year for the new update. Worst luxury vehicle transmission. My neighbour bought a Hyundai Palisade and selling like hot cakes. Folks are running away from crappy 💩 vehicles. MB can only fool people for this long. The tranny was behaving so bad , when vehicle was new, that a few times almost got into an accident

justfair337

Wondering how you handled your situation. I seem to have the same exact issue with my 2020 GLE350. I took it to the dealer twice so far and I'm still having the problem. A couple days ago, I was at a highway ramp stop and trying to accelerate onto the highway and the gear wouldn't shift up from D1 for about 20 seconds. My wife even video recorded the dashboard and sent it to the dealer. They came back saying it could have been my mistake accidentally changing to Manual mode. ??? I looked at the recording again and the dashboard shows "D1" not "M1". I sent back the screenshot of the dashboard and no answer so far. It is a serious safely issue. I can't believe how MB is dealing with this matter. I am very concerned and wondering how other people with same issue handling this.

kvelez

Nothing wrong with mine. It accelerates and shifts really well. I prefer using the economy setting as it starts in second gear which is smoother.

Streamliner

In another thread here, I posted that the 2021 GLE450 I ordered had just shown up at the dealer, but with them demanding $5K over MSRP, and the vehicle built without two options I ordered, I decided to to pass on it. Another nail in the coffin was reading about all of these harsh shifting GLE transmissions, an issue I currently have with my 2020 S560, for which MBUSA has offered to buy the car back.

WTF? This isn’t one or two guys complaining about one or two models, it appears to be at least thousands of vehicles throughout the brand. It also appears that MB knows how to fix the problem, but in doing so, they would violate some EPA certification and find themselves in hot water with the US government. So, they are handling it on a case by case basis. Those who scream the loudest will probably get a buy back, while others may just have to suffer with the problem. This is what happens when an automaker pushes the envelope to get the last few INCHES to a gallon of gas so they can meet CAFE standards. Folks with normal, everyday vehicles like a GLE or an S Class sedan end up suffering so MB can offer monster vehicles like the C63S, the G63 and untold AMG 63 somethings. What a travesty. What a crying SHAME!

Ron.s

The shifting is not widespread…not even mentioned until recently. Mercedes has built a lot of GLE’s. My April 2019 build was 77,000+ & October 2021 build was well over 370,000+. The drive train seems to be by far the most solid quality of all components, IMO.

Erik Lundh

My 2018 gle43 with the 9 speed has shifted hard since day 1. Pretty sure MB has told all dealerships to deny the issue. The first time they drove it the tech agreed that something was wrong. Then several days later I get a call from the service manager telling me it was actually fine fine. Every time I bring it in since they say it’s normal…