W212 vs W211 downshift question
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Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 412
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From: Bay Area
03 E55
W212 vs W211 downshift question
As I consider the upgrade to a W212, I have a question for the 2014/2015 owners (I have not driven one yet).
One of the things I love about my E55 is the fact that it "downshifts" constantly and I don't need to use the brakes as much. For example, when driving in stop and go traffic sometimes the cars in front of me are on and off the brakes while in the E55 I can get by just by modulating the throttle. Kind of like moving through traffic in a manual shift car, where it holds itself in gear.
So, while I know it is a much more technology-rich transmission, does the (latest) E63 tranny have the same characteristic? TIA
One of the things I love about my E55 is the fact that it "downshifts" constantly and I don't need to use the brakes as much. For example, when driving in stop and go traffic sometimes the cars in front of me are on and off the brakes while in the E55 I can get by just by modulating the throttle. Kind of like moving through traffic in a manual shift car, where it holds itself in gear.
So, while I know it is a much more technology-rich transmission, does the (latest) E63 tranny have the same characteristic? TIA
Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 181
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From: Santa Barbara
2015 e63 wagon, tuned B5 S4, 1970 BMW 2002, Toureg(wife's)
Depends on what mode you are in. While in C, no, it does not downshift a lot. I've been braking til 20mph while still in 7th. In s+, while it does downshift much more readily, you still have to be applying a slight amount of brake pressure for it to happen. But there's always manual mode, and you can drive it almost like a 3 pedal car. Plus the throttle blips are so addictive.
