Test drove '05 S600 and have a question about the transmission
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'97 SL600, '93 600SEC
Test drove '05 S600 and have a question about the transmission
Greetings! Can't believe I haven't joined this forum before as I currently own 2 older S-class V12's and have previously owned 3 other S-class V12's (all from the '90s)
Anyway.... Test drove a lovely '05 S600 today with just under 80K miles on it. Looks to have been well cared for. There is one thing that bothered me and I'm trying to find out if I'm being overly sensitive or not. Thanks in advance....
In both 1st gear and reverse, the car seems to over-rev and makes more engine noise than I'd expect from a V12. I have to give it more pedal than I think I ought to in order to get a response (and movement). Not horribly so, mind you. Just enough to notice. If it were a manual transmission, I'd say it feels like it's starting off with the clutch pedal half-way down. Of course it's not a manual, but that's the best way I can think to describe what I'm feeling. My older V12's don't do this at all - ever. On this '05, when I open the taps a bit, it roars forward like I'd expect from the 590 ft/lbs of torque. The shifting is whisper smooth and at speed it's wonderful. This is my first foray into a W220. The salesman says it's simply a "heavy pedal" type of car. Hmmmm, maybe. Maybe not.
Ideas?
Thanks again!
Dean Waters
'97 SL600 (with 38K miles)
'93 600SEC (with 43K miles)
Anyway.... Test drove a lovely '05 S600 today with just under 80K miles on it. Looks to have been well cared for. There is one thing that bothered me and I'm trying to find out if I'm being overly sensitive or not. Thanks in advance....
In both 1st gear and reverse, the car seems to over-rev and makes more engine noise than I'd expect from a V12. I have to give it more pedal than I think I ought to in order to get a response (and movement). Not horribly so, mind you. Just enough to notice. If it were a manual transmission, I'd say it feels like it's starting off with the clutch pedal half-way down. Of course it's not a manual, but that's the best way I can think to describe what I'm feeling. My older V12's don't do this at all - ever. On this '05, when I open the taps a bit, it roars forward like I'd expect from the 590 ft/lbs of torque. The shifting is whisper smooth and at speed it's wonderful. This is my first foray into a W220. The salesman says it's simply a "heavy pedal" type of car. Hmmmm, maybe. Maybe not.
Ideas?
Thanks again!
Dean Waters
'97 SL600 (with 38K miles)
'93 600SEC (with 43K miles)
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Mercedes
Lots of ppl comment you have to give the throttle more "tip in" before the car takes off, but without feeling that particular car I couldn't say if that one is normal
Unlike American cars that creep forward when car is in gear and you let off the brake , a w220 generally does not start moving until you step on the gas
Unlike American cars that creep forward when car is in gear and you let off the brake , a w220 generally does not start moving until you step on the gas
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 411
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From: Aiken, SC
2007 S600
Fist off is it the same in "comfort" and "sport" shift modes? The C tranny mode skips first gear to save gas and does take a considerable mash of the pedal if you want to engage first and take of "briskly". Second, like all 220 S class cars the transmission has a learning program where it monitors how you drive and gradually adjust shifts to suit the driver. if the car is driven around town by grandma, then the tranny starts to shift like grandma is driving. If Your someone like me with a lead foot and total disregard for the environment is driving for some time the tranny perks up and says "let's play!"
n I think is is based on the last 40 or so shifts or starts, can't recall exactly.
The good news is you can reset it and let it relearn at any time. I know disconnecting the battery for an extended period does it but there is a much easier quicker way that is documented here in the forum. Search "holy crap sneaky reset" and you'll find it. It involves the below combination of steps of the key on, pedal held down, key off, count to 15, release pedal or some such process. IT WORKS! On both 04 S55 and 05 S600 I do it every now and then when I remember and the difference is stark.
1. Turn the ignition key to the on (not start) position.
2. Press the gas pedal to the floor and hold for five seconds.
3. Turn the key to the "off" position (don't remove the key), then release the gas pedal.
4. Wait at least two minutes for ECU to reset.
I am pretty sure this is actually a TCU reset although they are integral in our cars I think?
Found it:
n I think is is based on the last 40 or so shifts or starts, can't recall exactly.The good news is you can reset it and let it relearn at any time. I know disconnecting the battery for an extended period does it but there is a much easier quicker way that is documented here in the forum. Search "holy crap sneaky reset" and you'll find it. It involves the below combination of steps of the key on, pedal held down, key off, count to 15, release pedal or some such process. IT WORKS! On both 04 S55 and 05 S600 I do it every now and then when I remember and the difference is stark.
1. Turn the ignition key to the on (not start) position.
2. Press the gas pedal to the floor and hold for five seconds.
3. Turn the key to the "off" position (don't remove the key), then release the gas pedal.
4. Wait at least two minutes for ECU to reset.
I am pretty sure this is actually a TCU reset although they are integral in our cars I think?
Found it:
Last edited by Zachmac; Mar 26, 2014 at 08:52 AM.
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 627
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From: SF
E-Class
Deanwaters,
My 2006 S65 is exactly how you described the throttle response, manual transmission. Give it a little gas, doesn't move at all. Give it a little more and it rockets out and bangs your head against the headrest. I enjoyed it, none of my passengers did though so I sold the car. I had the car looked at by a mechanic and he never mentioned anything was wrong while doing services for ignition coils, idler arms, engine mounts, nothing that ever raised a concern to him.
My 2006 S65 is exactly how you described the throttle response, manual transmission. Give it a little gas, doesn't move at all. Give it a little more and it rockets out and bangs your head against the headrest. I enjoyed it, none of my passengers did though so I sold the car. I had the car looked at by a mechanic and he never mentioned anything was wrong while doing services for ignition coils, idler arms, engine mounts, nothing that ever raised a concern to him.
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Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 411
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From: Aiken, SC
2007 S600
Try the reset, make sure the tanny is selected to S, turn off ESP and stand on it! 
If it doesn't roast the rear tires look for a different car. BTW, make sure the area in front of you is clear for a good distance because if it works you'll need the space! Oh, and if it doesn't work out I am considering selling mine.
If it doesn't roast the rear tires look for a different car. BTW, make sure the area in front of you is clear for a good distance because if it works you'll need the space! Oh, and if it doesn't work out I am considering selling mine.
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 810
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From: Laguna Niguel
'94 SL600,'05 SL600,'06 S65,'07 E63,'14 E63S,'09SL600 all sold, ‘15 S65,‘18 E63S,'17 SL65, '17S65Cab
I can add some observations and thoughts on your reaction to the S600 you drove. I currently own a 2006 S65 and two SL600's. I recently sold a 1994 SL600 that I owned for 18 years.
The S65 appears to have about a 2200RPM stall speed torque converter. Factoring in the weight of around 5000 pounds the engine flashes to typically 1800 RPM in a normal start from a stop. It rarely shifts to second under 3k RPM when in sport mode. Results in a lot of engine noise. Driving in Convenience mode with second gear starts and lower shift points makes it mostly go away. But I do not own the car to drive it that way.
The 94 SL600 had a stall speed around 1700 RPM and would typically shift at around 2750 RPM, resulting in much less engine noise. In the 94 the engine would only rev to about 1300 RPM as the car started to move away from a stop. To get the 1700 RPM I had to press the throttle while standing on the brake. If I do that in the S65 it will rev to about 2300 RPM. So I think what you hear is caused by a combination of vehicle weight, torque converter design and shift programming. It sure results in a great performing car.
The S65 appears to have about a 2200RPM stall speed torque converter. Factoring in the weight of around 5000 pounds the engine flashes to typically 1800 RPM in a normal start from a stop. It rarely shifts to second under 3k RPM when in sport mode. Results in a lot of engine noise. Driving in Convenience mode with second gear starts and lower shift points makes it mostly go away. But I do not own the car to drive it that way.
The 94 SL600 had a stall speed around 1700 RPM and would typically shift at around 2750 RPM, resulting in much less engine noise. In the 94 the engine would only rev to about 1300 RPM as the car started to move away from a stop. To get the 1700 RPM I had to press the throttle while standing on the brake. If I do that in the S65 it will rev to about 2300 RPM. So I think what you hear is caused by a combination of vehicle weight, torque converter design and shift programming. It sure results in a great performing car.
