Transmission Query - W204 C63 v W212 E63
09-24-2017, 09:37 AM
#1
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Transmission Query - W204 C63 v W212 E63
I am looking at "upgrading" from a (facelift) W204 C63 to a W212 E63.
There seems to be a lot more negative feedback about the transmission in the E63 compared to that in the C63, which is confusing as I am under the impression that it is the exact same transmission in both ie the 7 speed MCT. I must admit that I have always found the MCT in my C63 to have, in a manner of speaking, its own character ie a bit shuddery from take off under light throttle, and perhaps a little too easily confused finding the right gear in low speed, stop start driving. But all of this perfectly easy to get along with. However when I read about the same transmission in the E63 there seem to be plenty of owners unhappy with it.
Could it be that in a NA engine application like the C63 the MCT copes OK, but when used in the turbocharged E63 it requires different programming or something that is leading to all the headaches that some E63 owners describe?
And a related query - I recently had a TCU/ECU software upgrade done by MB on my 2013 C63, and I noticed quite an improvement not only in terms of the jerkiness in city speed driving in C mode, but an even more marked improvement when in S+ (fast, aggressive upshifts with a pronounced exhaust bark under full throttle acceleration, and way more eager to down shift, with much more emphatic rev matching). So for the W212 owners out there are you aware if there is a similar software upgrade available, and if so and you have had it done did it cure the headaches with the MCT??
There seems to be a lot more negative feedback about the transmission in the E63 compared to that in the C63, which is confusing as I am under the impression that it is the exact same transmission in both ie the 7 speed MCT. I must admit that I have always found the MCT in my C63 to have, in a manner of speaking, its own character ie a bit shuddery from take off under light throttle, and perhaps a little too easily confused finding the right gear in low speed, stop start driving. But all of this perfectly easy to get along with. However when I read about the same transmission in the E63 there seem to be plenty of owners unhappy with it.
Could it be that in a NA engine application like the C63 the MCT copes OK, but when used in the turbocharged E63 it requires different programming or something that is leading to all the headaches that some E63 owners describe?
And a related query - I recently had a TCU/ECU software upgrade done by MB on my 2013 C63, and I noticed quite an improvement not only in terms of the jerkiness in city speed driving in C mode, but an even more marked improvement when in S+ (fast, aggressive upshifts with a pronounced exhaust bark under full throttle acceleration, and way more eager to down shift, with much more emphatic rev matching). So for the W212 owners out there are you aware if there is a similar software upgrade available, and if so and you have had it done did it cure the headaches with the MCT??
Last edited by JimmyR; 09-24-2017 at 09:40 AM.
09-25-2017, 08:10 AM
#2
MBWorld Fanatic!
I am looking at "upgrading" from a (facelift) W204 C63 to a W212 E63.
There seems to be a lot more negative feedback about the transmission in the E63 compared to that in the C63, which is confusing as I am under the impression that it is the exact same transmission in both ie the 7 speed MCT. I must admit that I have always found the MCT in my C63 to have, in a manner of speaking, its own character ie a bit shuddery from take off under light throttle, and perhaps a little too easily confused finding the right gear in low speed, stop start driving. But all of this perfectly easy to get along with. However when I read about the same transmission in the E63 there seem to be plenty of owners unhappy with it.
Could it be that in a NA engine application like the C63 the MCT copes OK, but when used in the turbocharged E63 it requires different programming or something that is leading to all the headaches that some E63 owners describe?
And a related query - I recently had a TCU/ECU software upgrade done by MB on my 2013 C63, and I noticed quite an improvement not only in terms of the jerkiness in city speed driving in C mode, but an even more marked improvement when in S+ (fast, aggressive upshifts with a pronounced exhaust bark under full throttle acceleration, and way more eager to down shift, with much more emphatic rev matching). So for the W212 owners out there are you aware if there is a similar software upgrade available, and if so and you have had it done did it cure the headaches with the MCT??
There seems to be a lot more negative feedback about the transmission in the E63 compared to that in the C63, which is confusing as I am under the impression that it is the exact same transmission in both ie the 7 speed MCT. I must admit that I have always found the MCT in my C63 to have, in a manner of speaking, its own character ie a bit shuddery from take off under light throttle, and perhaps a little too easily confused finding the right gear in low speed, stop start driving. But all of this perfectly easy to get along with. However when I read about the same transmission in the E63 there seem to be plenty of owners unhappy with it.
Could it be that in a NA engine application like the C63 the MCT copes OK, but when used in the turbocharged E63 it requires different programming or something that is leading to all the headaches that some E63 owners describe?
And a related query - I recently had a TCU/ECU software upgrade done by MB on my 2013 C63, and I noticed quite an improvement not only in terms of the jerkiness in city speed driving in C mode, but an even more marked improvement when in S+ (fast, aggressive upshifts with a pronounced exhaust bark under full throttle acceleration, and way more eager to down shift, with much more emphatic rev matching). So for the W212 owners out there are you aware if there is a similar software upgrade available, and if so and you have had it done did it cure the headaches with the MCT??
I think the main gripe is the fact that the tranny doesn't let you harness the full potential of the engine because the launch off the line in this car is poor. It can also be an issue at roundabouts or at times when you literally need the car to simply 'move' when you ask it to. If you can live with that, then you won't have this concern with the W212.
09-25-2017, 04:27 PM
#3
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'10 F150 FX4 SCrew. '14 S212S
I think the 2015 or 2016 has a hardware revision to make it better. 2014s are ok. Way better than my 2010 C63 was.
The new 9 speed is finally getting close to the ZFs in BMWs.
The new 9 speed is finally getting close to the ZFs in BMWs.
09-25-2017, 05:09 PM
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2014 E63s amg 4matic, 2009 C63, 2006 E55 AMG , 2001.5 AUDI S4 stg 3+ w/meth
depends on which W204 as the 2008-2011 was trq converter while 2012+ was MCT
the fastest trq converter W204s are cutting 1.4x 60ft times, none of the MCT ones are
the fastest trq converter W204s are cutting 1.4x 60ft times, none of the MCT ones are
09-27-2017, 06:42 AM
#5
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