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Newer MBs have a function known as Agility/Sport+ mode (not sure when that became available) that changes the auto trans mapping (and maybe suspension too if the car has the ability). Tuners have been switching it on for many people. There are a number threads across the forum and the mode is viewed as positive (as to the trans aspect of it). The main changes are holding in gear to a higher rpm/speed before up shift and much readier to downshift when the accelerator is pressed further. Firmer shifts are also often mentioned by those that have had it done.
I am active over on SLKWorld and one of our members there, that I have known for years, is very experienced with Star SDS and Vediamo and adds this feature to the 5 and 7 speeds MB transmissions. He can also add manual shifting to cars that did not come with that feature from the factory.
He has added the feature to my W219 trans and it is an improvement. I use it as my default auto shifting mode, I never use Comfort or Sport mode any more.
If you are interested in this feature, feel free to contact Razvan by email at dacii21 at yahoo period com and he will be glad to remote in and set up the features for you.
Yes, it does work on the E55 that has the same 722.6 transmission used in the 2006 W219 that I have. In fact, it should work on just about any MB that has the 722.6 trans. He can also do it on the later 7 speed 722.9 trans too (I assume that is what you have in your W212).
How are you able to switch between normal maps and agility mode?
You don't have to jump over to the w219 board to find switching between the modes. Here is a pic of my dash after the feature was added and showing the A in the mode section. As PieRat noted the switch next to the shifter that toggles between the different transmission modes will be the way you set it. The sequence becomes C, S, A, M. I never use C or S any more.
I am lite on links. From what I have read here on MBWorld this feature became available as part of a bundle a few years ago. Not sure what all was in the typical bundle but suspension settings was one and this functionality of the transmission. The suspension needed the specific suspension hardware and then the software. Similarily, all transmissions are the hardware so all that is needed is the software coding. At this point the guy that did my car (as I have mentioned, I have known him for a number of years) has the necessary coding to add the feature to the seven and five speed transmissions. He uses Star to confirm the configuration of the transmission and there are no fault codes set. He then uses Vediamo to write and add the coding to the transmission controller. It doesn't take very long to be completed and then you will be trying it out for yourself. I hope this has helped.
I'd be curious to know how this compares to a TCU tune (DTK, Eurocharged, RaceIQ etc). I have one, and the only thing I like is having the paddle buttons work in any mode, but I don't feel any huge improvements in shift characteristics. I've always felt these cars change gears too fast, I'd love to not have it shifting into 4th already at 29 mph in sport mode...
I'm assuming it's too complicated to post a diy for those with STAR? Does he charge for this coding work?
I'd be curious to know how this compares to a TCU tune (DTK, Eurocharged, RaceIQ etc). I have one, and the only thing I like is having the paddle buttons work in any mode, but I don't feel any huge improvements in shift characteristics. I've always felt these cars change gears too fast, I'd love to not have it shifting into 4th already at 29 mph in sport mode...
I'm assuming it's too complicated to post a diy for those with STAR? Does he charge for this coding work?
I can't help with the comparison to the TCU tuning. With the Agility mode it does hold a gear for a longer period and if the car is accelerating that too will cause it to hold the gear. Also, as I have mentioned, it downshifts very readily when going from steady speed to acceleration.
Star is only used for confirmation of the correct TCU and that there are no fault codes. Then Star is closed down and Vediamo is opened. It uses the same C4 connection to commuicate with the car and do the coding. The coding is done by Razvan - I think he has a file that has the coding so he copies it and pastes into the correct area of Vediamo. Makes a few other tweaks and the process is completed. He does charge for his help. He is located in England and he quotes his price in British pounds. So, currentcy exchange rates will dictate the ultilmate cost. I don't know if he gave me the same price he gives others, but his cost is low enough it was not even part of my consideration. He will quote you the price when you contact him.
A note on your paddle buttons - if you still have the original buttons there is a source of replacement paddles that keeps the switching hardware but replaces the button with a paddle. It takes about 15 minutes and the steering wheel does not have to be removed. Seller is G-paddles.com Shipping to the east coast US was about a week. It is a big improvement to the buttons.
Thanks for the reply, I appreciate it. And I've got those paddle upgrades on my radar, however if I can actually achieve better shifting I may not need them, I mostly use the shift buttons out of frustration when I'm fairly positive the car won't downshift quick enough to pop into another lane of traffic..
i have read about this a while back but didn't think it was available for the 722.9 transmission as i only saw this for the 722.6. thanks for the info. seems we are hosed at the moment in the US since he's out in the UK?
i have read about this a while back but didn't think it was available for the 722.9 transmission as i only saw this for the 722.6. thanks for the info. seems we are hosed at the moment in the US since he's out in the UK?
It sounds like he can remote in, we'd just have to either wake up early or stay up late to make the time difference work
I'll probably message him soon and get the details, I'd love to give this a try. MB in Europe gets more cool stuff anyway, I finally activated the SBC hold and stop features the other week and love playing around with it.
sure let us know...from what i know...it doesn't improve shift times or torque limits, it only changes shifting patterns and gear hold. the 722.9 doesn't have to many things to improve other than shift times and torque limits for lock up. we need lockup for torque converter to be at a different point.
i have read about this a while back but didn't think it was available for the 722.9 transmission as i only saw this for the 722.6. thanks for the info. seems we are hosed at the moment in the US since he's out in the UK?
Hosed? Not at all. I'm in the US. He is glad those of us on this side of the pond.
It sounds like he can remote in, we'd just have to either wake up early or stay up late to make the time difference work
I'll probably message him soon and get the details, I'd love to give this a try. MB in Europe gets more cool stuff anyway, I finally activated the SBC hold and stop features the other week and love playing around with it.
When he remoted in to my car it was 3:30 east coast US time. Not at all difficult. Please share with me about this 'SBC hold' you speak of. Thanks
very interesting; I'd like to find out how this would work without Star (I don't have); is it possible?
I think you are options are a friend that has Star or an independent shop that is performance focused and will allow him to remote in to your car using there Star system while he is doing the work from afar. They may want to work a deal with him so they can offer this service to more of their customers. Ther's always a way.
from my experience it is difficult to find a shop that has STAR or will do custom work using STAR.
Oh, wow, I would have never thought that. I haven't been in a shop for - maybe, 30 years as I do all my own work. I guess I don't know the market place at all. So how do independent shops that have a strong MB clientele service those cars without DAS/Xentry? Autel?
no what I mean is it is not working in their best interest to custom program anything using STAR if it could hold them liable. especially if custom programming is not their forte.
When he remoted in to my car it was 3:30 east coast US time. Not at all difficult. Please share with me about this 'SBC hold' you speak of. Thanks
It should probably be for a different thread, but short story is if you have STAR and your car has the SBC brake system, you can go into central gateway and change the location from US to Rest Of World, once it codes then you'll have the stop and hold feature. Stab the brake while stopped and it will illuminate a message in the cluster and you can take your foot off the brake until you're ready to go, once you hit the gas it will release the brakes automatically. The SBC stop is for stop and go traffic, you click down on the cruise control stock, see the dash message, and now the car will auto-brake when you take your foot off the gas, so you can mitigate annoying traffic without touching the brake pedal. Quirky, but fun (and useful at times).
no what I mean is it is not working in their best interest to custom program anything using STAR if it could hold them liable. especially if custom programming is not their forte.
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