SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: SL63 Faulty Transmission
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Palm Springs, CA
2012 E63
SL63 Faulty Transmission
Drove an SL63 yesterday at my local dealer. The transmission is terrific. However, on several occasions, while in C or S or S+, it acted like it was in M. It would not shift on its own. Normally, when in any of these modes, the display shows D. On the faulty occasions the display showed the gear number. It was very disconcerting. I intended to buy the car. I really wanted to trade in my 04 SL55. Now, I don't know what to do!
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 277
Likes: 1
From: MI
2011 Hyundai Elantra GLS
Drove an SL63 yesterday at my local dealer. The transmission is terrific. However, on several occasions, while in C or S or S+, it acted like it was in M. It would not shift on its own. Normally, when in any of these modes, the display shows D. On the faulty occasions the display showed the gear number. It was very disconcerting. I intended to buy the car. I really wanted to trade in my 04 SL55. Now, I don't know what to do!
Banned
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 725
Likes: 1
From: Irvine, CA.
2005 SL55, 2000 CL500
You sure you did not bump the Downshift paddle ?
That would cause the downshift and the gear selection to come up
on the display.
I know when I first tried a new 63 the larger paddles were easy to
hit while turning.
Were you able to up shift with the paddle back into "D" ?
That would cause the downshift and the gear selection to come up
on the display.
I know when I first tried a new 63 the larger paddles were easy to
hit while turning.
Were you able to up shift with the paddle back into "D" ?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,271
Likes: 1
From: CA
2010 CL65
Not sure what to make of your obsvns.....
Would observe that I know at least 2-3 guys who commute via SL63 030 (and each also has CL63 030 and 599 in his commuter fleet)....and I believe each guy has had more than 1K mis of varied driving in SL....and each has had not even one glitch in SL to-date....
Consensus seems to be that MCT is absolutely brilliant at >30MPH....esp enjoyable on fast fwys and in mtn twisties for fast/smart/seamless shifts
.....biggest weakness is jerkiness in slow-speed driving....but not as jerky as a 599 in similar conds....
Would observe that I know at least 2-3 guys who commute via SL63 030 (and each also has CL63 030 and 599 in his commuter fleet)....and I believe each guy has had more than 1K mis of varied driving in SL....and each has had not even one glitch in SL to-date....
Consensus seems to be that MCT is absolutely brilliant at >30MPH....esp enjoyable on fast fwys and in mtn twisties for fast/smart/seamless shifts
.....biggest weakness is jerkiness in slow-speed driving....but not as jerky as a 599 in similar conds....
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,760
Likes: 594
From: Seattle
'19 E63S, ‘16 CLS63 RIP, '09 E63 Gone, '06 M5 Gone, '97 Supra TT Gone
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,143
Likes: 1
From: South Orange County, CA
4 wheels
Not sure what to make of your obsvns.....
Would observe that I know at least 2-3 guys who commute via SL63 030 (and each also has CL63 030 and 599 in his commuter fleet)....and I believe each guy has had more than 1K mis of varied driving in SL....and each has had not even one glitch in SL to-date....
Consensus seems to be that MCT is absolutely brilliant at >30MPH....esp enjoyable on fast fwys and in mtn twisties for fast/smart/seamless shifts.....biggest weakness is jerkiness in slow-speed driving....but not as jerky as a 599 in similar conds....
Would observe that I know at least 2-3 guys who commute via SL63 030 (and each also has CL63 030 and 599 in his commuter fleet)....and I believe each guy has had more than 1K mis of varied driving in SL....and each has had not even one glitch in SL to-date....
Consensus seems to be that MCT is absolutely brilliant at >30MPH....esp enjoyable on fast fwys and in mtn twisties for fast/smart/seamless shifts
.....biggest weakness is jerkiness in slow-speed driving....but not as jerky as a 599 in similar conds....
I have bout 3500 miles on the SL63 and havent had one hiccup as of yet. This transmission is just a wonderful piece of machinery. Beats the M DCT, DSG hands down IMO. Not to mention its so much simpler.
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Woodway, TX
2008 E63, 2010 GT-R, 2008 Escalade ESV
I test drove our local dealer's 1st SL63 and I love the exhaust sound, but I wasn't too thrilled with the new transmission. I don't know if it was normal, but I didn't like when I took off from a stop and the clutches engaged with a little jolt. Also, when I was manually shifting from 1-2, 2-3 and 3-4, the transmission made a squeeking sound and I could smell burnt rubber (NOT the tires). I told the salesman about it, but I don't know if they have found any problem yet.
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
