S63 Transmission Question
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2013
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From: San Francisco, CA
2018 S63
S63 Transmission Question
Just took delivery of a 2018 S63 Sedan in Stuttgart and had it shipped back to California. Car now has 900 miles on it and I have noticed since day one a certain hesitation combined with a subtle jerk when driving away from a stop, and during the first-second gear shift, as well as when slowing down to a halt. Any comments/feedback much appreciated. Previously had two W222 S550 sedans, neither of which exhibited that trait. I realize of course the '18 is a different engine and a new transmission. Nonetheless, seems not right to me. Thanks.
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 7
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From: South Carolina, USA
2018 S63
The 2018 E63 has the same transmission and some people are having the same problem - see this thread
https://mbworld.org/forums/w213-amg/...ming-stop.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/w213-amg/...ming-stop.html
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 2
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From: San Francisco, CA
2018 S63
Interesting. I would think the MB engineers would make a smoother operating transmission. It really is not a smooth operation in the lower gears for slowly accelerating in normal traffic and coming to a stop. I'm learning to live with it and putting it in Sport mode seems to lessen it a bit. The car is amazing except for this MCT transmission issue for me.
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Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2018
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From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
An old thread, but there are several other threads about this. I'll repeat here what has been said many times. The MCT is a performance transmission. Its unique trait is that instead of a torque converter, it has a wet clutch between the engine and transmission. This is done in AMGs for a better response and a more direct feel. It's what you want in a performance car. The MCT combines the best of a manual/dual clutch transmission and the best of an automatic transmission. The downside is low speed driving can be jerky as the clutch has to slip and that will never be as smooth as a torque converter. The MCT does adapt over time and AMG has improved the software in later models. I love the 9-MCT in my 2019 C63S, but it did take a few thousand miles before it fully adapted to my driving style and having driven manual transmissions for most of my live I'm used to modulate the throttle to smooth things out at lower speeds. There were also a couple of software updates for the drivetrain. FWIW, I got one recently after I had a misfire and it further improved the transmission.
Last edited by superswiss; Feb 5, 2023 at 11:32 AM.
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Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Pacific Northwest
2001 S600 V12 Sold, 2011 Jaguar XFR Sold, 2017 S550 4-Matic, 2018 S63 AMG Sedan
This sounds like how the older BMW M5 cars drove. My buddy still has his 2008 model, and it's jerky like that. I wanted an M but knew my wife wasn't going for that. Sorry to hear that AMG cars exhibit the same behavior. I'm on this forum because I'm considering buying a used S63.
Last edited by carlosinseattle; Feb 9, 2023 at 06:10 PM.
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Joined: Nov 2015
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From: Newcastle, WA
2019 S63 4Matic+, 2018 E400 Cabrio, wardens car.
I can confirm this as well. Just had the 30K service done on my 2019 S63 and the transmission behaves in the same way, even after an adaptation reset as part of the service. There is no way around the aggressive coupling that you get with a double clutch trans and no torque converter. Doesn't bother me much as it is really only jumpy for a minute or two until motor heats up a bit but the wife thinks the car is broken. You cannot beat the very crisp/snappy shifts that you get though in Sport+ mode. It shifts as fast as any modern supercar I have seen. I think some people think this is a docile S Class, It is not, it has some quirks but the performance is awesome for such a big, heavy sedan with a vault like interior.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2018
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From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
This sounds like how the older BMW M5 cars drove. My buddy still has his 2008 model, and it's jerky like that. I wanted an M but knew my wife wasn't going for that. Sorry to hear that AMG cars exhibit the same behavior. I'm on this form because I'm considering buying a used S63.
Such a transmission is admittedly not for everybody, but that doesn't make it bad.
Last edited by superswiss; Feb 7, 2023 at 07:03 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,825
Likes: 792
From: Pacific Northwest
2001 S600 V12 Sold, 2011 Jaguar XFR Sold, 2017 S550 4-Matic, 2018 S63 AMG Sedan
Not quite. The older M5s you speak of had the infamous SMG transmission, which was an automated regular manual transmission and they were jerky as hell due to the interruption of torque during each shift. Dual clutch and the multi clutch in the AMGs shift w/o torque interruption as they simply transition from one gear to another by opening one clutch and closing another simultaneously. The remaining jerkiness simply comes from when torque has to be interrupted in order to come to a stop and then the clutch has to slip as you start moving again. It's just a result of the much more direct coupling and the fact that slipping a clutch is never as smooth as a torque converter.
Such a transmission is admittedly not for everybody, but that doesn't make it bad.
Such a transmission is admittedly not for everybody, but that doesn't make it bad.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 11,430
Likes: 5,338
From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
Yes, always best to drive one and see if it meets your expectations. Personally, the S63 doesn't make much sense to me outside of the German Autobahn as a really fast travel limo, but I guess it is aimed at people who want a luxury limo, but for whom the regular S is just too soft, uninvolved and boring to drive. AMGs are happier out on the open road than in city and stop&go scenarios.
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2017 S63 AMG
My 2017 AMG is in the shop now for those same issues. It is especially pronounced when the vehicle warms up. The Stealership got back to me this morning with the diagnosis....2017 S63 AMG with 80,450 miles needs a new transmission. Quote...$19,249.95.
No World Class vehicle should need a new transmission after 80,450 miles. Especially if it has had all of the recommended services completed at the dealership as mine has.
No World Class vehicle should need a new transmission after 80,450 miles. Especially if it has had all of the recommended services completed at the dealership as mine has.
Last edited by Nate Payne; Feb 27, 2023 at 04:00 PM.
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From: Phoenix
222 S-65
My 2017 AMG is in the shop now for those same issues. It is especially pronounced when the vehicle warms up. The Stealership got back to me this morning with the diagnosis....2017 S63 AMG with 80,450 miles needs a new transmission. Quote...$19,249.95.
No World Class vehicle should need a new transmission after 80,450 miles. Especially if it has had all of the recommended services completed at the dealership as mine has.
No World Class vehicle should need a new transmission after 80,450 miles. Especially if it has had all of the recommended services completed at the dealership as mine has.
Report back when she’s up and running.
