adarquea

I dont wanna be a winner here but my ML500's 7g is very harsh here in Quito. I dont know if the 9000 ft altitude has some effect but my C class' 5 speed was much nicer. I dont even feel the 7 gears nor do I think I need them. and I hate the gear lever, just test drove a 07 X5 and the joystick feels much nicer.

AR.Shah

Apart from the few occasions were the tranny periodically gave me problems, I have been very satisfied with mine. I think you're suppose not to feel the gearshifts. Harsh how?

The gear lever is just something you'll have to get used to and after a while it will feel natural.

adarquea

The joystick doesnt feel natural specially if you are used to driving a manual, and the harshnes is when i accelerate and deaccelerate abruptly it just kicksdown like a bomb! It upshifts ok though.

red00lght

You might want to get your tranny checked. I've driven to ML's w/ 7spd and they booth shift buttery smooth. Most of the time you don't even realize it is shifting. I have been impressed. I just hope it holds up for a long time on my ML500.

Fiber

I had the occasionally harsh shifting problem but after the dealer updated the transmission software it has been smooth. Take your car to dealer to check the software.

DUTCH

Mine was great for 19,500 miles until the dealer flashed the software and pulled the transmission to replace some part he thought needed replacing. It's shifted very hard 3->2 and 2->1 ever since; and I'm thoroughly pi$$ed!

nantucketsleigh

On my E500 and GL450 7g has been flawless. Under normal driving shifts are imperceptible - under heavy throttle, shifts are quick and decisive. 7g will be a key reason for me to buy another MB unless BMW comes up with a better 8 speed auto or dsg type trans.

AR.Shah

There is definately something wrong there, whats their excuse?

Kar don

take it to the dealer, there are updates that can be done to it.

DUTCH

If you are talking to me, it was the so called "update" done three weeks ago that screwed it up completely!

DUTCH

Their excuse is "Something must have gone wrong. Bring it back, and we'll fix it."

It was their not authorized fix-it "update" that screwed up a perfectly well running transmission. Damned if I'll bring it back to them. Perhaps to another dealer, but not to them.

I'm really hoping the thing blows up while it's still under warranty.

AR.Shah

They updated mine three times before they changed the valve. In the end was so tired of their excuses Just let them check it and change/update whatever needs to changed asap, otherwise it will just make things even more bitter. Good luck

DUTCH

It was running well and didn't need updating when they did it without owner (me) authorization.

When I do take it in for service, it will not be to that same dealer. There are four MB dealers in the Atlanta area; and I have been advised by a very knowledgeable person that the service department of this one is the worst of the four.

Ausmbtech

When you update the software, then you take if for a drive and check the shift adaptions.

There are 2 circlips which can pop out under very rare circumstances which will produce a very harsh/jolting gear change.

Personnally, when I do this on vehicle nearing the end of warranty, I make sure I repeatedly perform the 1-2, 2-3, 3-2, 2-1 shifts it quick succession after adaptions to ensure that these 2 circlips are quite secure. If they aren't fully secure then this always pops them out of place and I know immediately that the box requires further repairs without having the owner find out either weeks later or even worse, when they are out of warranty.

adarquea

My tranny improved with the flash but it is not uncommon for gearboxes to be harsh at this altitude, it just seems the 5g handled the lack of atmospheric pressure better (540 vs 760 mm Hg)