I bought a ML350CDI Grand Edition from new in Sept 2011 from Mercedes Benz Brooklands in the UK. From the very beginning, about 40% of the time when I drive the car from a cold or standing start, within a short distance, say 200 yards, it seems to hesitate, almost as if it is ‘thinking’ about which gear to choose / engage and then suddenly and violently lurches forward, sometimes with an audible thud . The best way to describe this is feels like it has been given a kick up the backside! It will do this a few times before it eventually settles down. The first 2 times I took it back to Mercedes Brooklands they did not accept that there was a problem, said they could not replicate it and I had to take it back. On the 3rd occasion they initially said there was no problem initially they implied it was user error but as I pointed out my car is driven by other people all of whom have experienced this fault, so they asked me to come into the showroom to replicate the problem for them. So I drove the car with a mechanic beside me and when the issue occurred he accepted that there was a problem but said it's not as I had described it – he said ‘it feels like a gear box issue not a miss-fire’. Brooklands continued to struggle to diagnose and fix the problem themselves so eventually they involved Mercedes Germany. After nearly 3 weeks, they eventually updated the software, replaced solenoids and gave me the car back apparently all fixed. Within a few days the issue recurred so the car went back a 4th time again they struggled to replicate the issue and gave the car back to me as is. The car is now with Mercedes for the 5th time for the same issue and they want me to go back and replicate the problem for them once again because in their opinion there is no issue and the car and 'substantially behaves in accordance with accepted parameters’. Anyone else had this issue or got any suggestions?

 

i have a very similar problem in the morning when it is cold. it happens when it is changing up gears. it does feel like you've been kicked in the back, i think from 3rd to 4th. also sometimes from 5th to 4th i think when you're slowing down and engine is still cold.

 

Known transmission issue with the valve body and conductor plates. Have those replaced and have the adaptations reset.
Search for transmission issues on this forum. You will find many post, mine included.

 

Thx for the reply, it is much appreciated, they returned the car to me yesterday adamant there is no issue, I used it that afternoon no fault. Drove it this morning from cold happened again less than a mile from my house 4 mins into my journey, I called them to report it immediately!

 

Did you get any response/feedback from the dealership yet?