dharrar

I am curious as to other owners experience driving the '03 S55. I find that the transmission does not downshift from 5th to 4th as quickly as it should at low speeds, resulting in the engine, "lugging". This occurs when in 5th at around 1200 rpm and using slight acceleration, such as when moving up a slight incline. By comparison, my SL55 seemlessly and subtly downshifts under identical use with no lugging and barely any awareness that the downshift occurred.

In addition, I am finding that the engine/transmission action of the S55 produces a "rougher" low speed acceleration when the engine is cold, again as compared to the SL55.

Have any other owners experienced this phenomenon?

In all other respects, both the S55 and SL55 are fantastic!

bt1340

I am finding the same transmission charachteristics in my 2003
CL55. Curious as to the reasons MB has for this transmission shift programming.

kmak

Sorry, I don't have a SL55 to compare it to.... But I do notice that if I accelerate hard up to about 60 or 70, then let off the gas to stay at that speed, it takes the transmission a LONG time to upshift into 4th or 5th gear.

Clarence

cold weather starts are also a bit rough.

But these are just dimples on an incredible *** car!

Clarence
03 S55
03 FX45

1115

isnt it one of mercedes programs for the transmission? like when u push it and then u back off, the realises ur racing it so it adjusts its self to hold the gear for more action...like it adapts to ur driving style? cause i noticed it in my dads w211 e55. i accelerated hard then backed off and it just held the gear when i was expecting it to go up a notch

i dont know exactly, but thats my theory

SleeperZZZ

Hi All,

I recently got a chance to drive a 2003 S55 that belongs to one of the VPs in the company I work for. He had been describing a transmission problem (5 speed) for a while what I later experienced myself when I drove the car. During an acceleration then level out then accelerate again scenario there is a "bump and go" feel in the first shift during the second acceleration that feels like someone who let the clutch on a little hard on a manual car. Anybody having a similar problem with their S55?

Thanks

Mmmm

My tranmission is fine but if accelerating fairly gently there is a slight delay/surge at low revs (1000-1200) from the supercharger spooling up

Messerchmidt

unless your using a full synth ATF, when it is cold it will do that. let the car warm up before you drive it.

you can try amsoil ATF, but i woudlent until the warrenty runs out

Kar don

i am pretty sure MB fluid is synthetic. I would take it to the dealership... SL55 and S55 share the same trans.