Hard downshift when braking
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 48
Likes: 6
2023 Mercedes S580e
Hard downshift when braking
Hi, just picked up my S580e and when driving home and coming to a stop at a red light, it feels like the car downshifts hard when getting under 15mph. Anyone else experiencing this? Is there a software update available?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 2,280
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From: Costco
2025 AMG GT63, 2023 S500, 2022 GLE53
Yes. The Mercedes designed and built 9-speed transmissions are terrible. I’ve had two cars with the same transmission and both were very bad, although the GLE was much worse. It’s the 3rd to 2nd gear shift that is the big issue.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 48
Likes: 6
2023 Mercedes S580e
super frustrating! Something I didn’t notice much on the test drive.
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 33,393
Likes: 6,624
It might learn to smoothen out as you drive it more, the complexity of the hybrid drivetrain also makes the shift less than ideal. I did hear the transmission is better on the V8 version of the W223 so maybe it isn't turned as well for the M256 in the W223? not sure. That said, this same transmission was used across other MB models, including M256 powered ones.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 2,296
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23 S580 Executive
The tranny has few flaws, think Chernobyl, minus the radiation. Believe it or not on the V8 version it shifts more smoothly in sport so you may want to try the individual mode with the engine set to sport and see if it works any better for you. Or just plain sport if you're not worried about keeping max cush on the ride quality. It won't be sporty, there is no sporty, when they say sport for the drive mode what they actually mean is you will have throttle response and shift firmness akin to a Camry in normal mode.
Member
Joined: Feb 2023
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From: Suburban Chicago in Illinois
2024 GLC-300 & 2022 GLE-350
April 15, 2024
Glad to know I'm not the only one! Just picked up a new GLC300 4 days ago. I have to put it in neutral when rolling to a stop sign, because the experience of 15mph to 0mph is annoying! I thought it might be because the car hasn't "broken in" yet, (only 150 miles on it). But apparently it's a design flaw! My wife's GLE350 (2022) comes to a stop with no harshness or jerkiness at all.
Guess I'll take this one to the dealer and hope they don't play dumb. (Good thing I leased. I think there is a way to get out of it within 30 days, if the car is a Lemon.)
Glad to know I'm not the only one! Just picked up a new GLC300 4 days ago. I have to put it in neutral when rolling to a stop sign, because the experience of 15mph to 0mph is annoying! I thought it might be because the car hasn't "broken in" yet, (only 150 miles on it). But apparently it's a design flaw! My wife's GLE350 (2022) comes to a stop with no harshness or jerkiness at all.
Guess I'll take this one to the dealer and hope they don't play dumb. (Good thing I leased. I think there is a way to get out of it within 30 days, if the car is a Lemon.)
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