Hesitation between shifts -
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2024
Posts: 5
Likes: 3
From: Baytown TX
Hesitation between shifts -
Stock 2012 E63 with P30 pkg - in Sport + mode, (actually all modes) if I nail it - it has a really noticeable delay between shifts. When I review others on video etc, it appears their s shift extremely fast with zero delay. Considering a tune and blow off valve, if you have any recommendations. I always used Renntech when I worked at Benz and had really good results.
The hesitation between shifts is concerning and my main focus right now, Normal ?
TIA
The hesitation between shifts is concerning and my main focus right now, Normal ?
TIA
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,799
Likes: 3,229
2014 E63S; AMS 100 octane ECU dyno tune; EDOK TCU tune; BB intakes; sprintbooster
Stock 2012 E63 with P30 pkg - in Sport + mode, (actually all modes) if I nail it - it has a really noticeable delay between shifts. When I review others on video etc, it appears their s shift extremely fast with zero delay. Considering a tune and blow off valve, if you have any recommendations. I always used Renntech when I worked at Benz and had really good results.
The hesitation between shifts is concerning and my main focus right now, Normal ?
TIA
The hesitation between shifts is concerning and my main focus right now, Normal ?
TIA
When's the last time you serviced the transmission?
How long have you owned the car and has it always been like this?
If it's been better, how long ago was it shifting better?
When is the last time you just performed a tcu re adaption?
Is manual shifting just as slow as automatic?
does this car have a TCU tune?
can you upload a video to demonstrate?
any codes (hard or soft) when you scan the car?
is the trans skipping between shifts? Tachometer flaring?
when is the last time you replaced spark plugs and coils?
do you feel like the car is producing the appropriate power up to the shift point? Or is it feeling weaker than it should at the higher RPMs before shifts?
tell us a little bit about the car, how many miles is it? How did you come to acquire it?
I would not recommend any type of tune or blow a valve until this is resolved
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2024
Posts: 5
Likes: 3
From: Baytown TX
so some basic questions (please answer all of them to help yourself out with the group, most people will only respond to one or two questions and totally skip the rest of the questions, but it benefits you to give more information to get the best help you can):
When's the last time you serviced the transmission?
How long have you owned the car and has it always been like this?
If it's been better, how long ago was it shifting better?
When is the last time you just performed a tcu re adaption?
Is manual shifting just as slow as automatic?
does this car have a TCU tune?
can you upload a video to demonstrate?
any codes (hard or soft) when you scan the car?
is the trans skipping between shifts? Tachometer flaring?
when is the last time you replaced spark plugs and coils?
do you feel like the car is producing the appropriate power up to the shift point? Or is it feeling weaker than it should at the higher RPMs before shifts?
tell us a little bit about the car, how many miles is it? How did you come to acquire it?
I would not recommend any type of tune or blow a valve until this is resolved
When's the last time you serviced the transmission?
How long have you owned the car and has it always been like this?
If it's been better, how long ago was it shifting better?
When is the last time you just performed a tcu re adaption?
Is manual shifting just as slow as automatic?
does this car have a TCU tune?
can you upload a video to demonstrate?
any codes (hard or soft) when you scan the car?
is the trans skipping between shifts? Tachometer flaring?
when is the last time you replaced spark plugs and coils?
do you feel like the car is producing the appropriate power up to the shift point? Or is it feeling weaker than it should at the higher RPMs before shifts?
tell us a little bit about the car, how many miles is it? How did you come to acquire it?
I would not recommend any type of tune or blow a valve until this is resolved
Bought the car a year ago with 24k
No Trans service performed
No TCU tune
No adaptations performed since acquiring the car
Recent oil/filter service w new air filters.
1 current silent code for bank 1 knock sensor
No CEL currently or ever
Oil Pressure solenoid disconnected
It’s always been like this - I don’t drive it hard very much, but the delay between 1-2, 2-3 if I nail it is quiet noticeable.
when I was with MB I had one of my techs tell me on a customers car with a similar situation the ECM would delay the shift until
the boost dropped etc….
I can shoot a video one day soon - it’s mainly a garage queen
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,799
Likes: 3,229
2014 E63S; AMS 100 octane ECU dyno tune; EDOK TCU tune; BB intakes; sprintbooster
Does it pull hard before the shifts or does it pull back a little bit before it shifts? Question is whether or not the transmission is just fine but the ECU is pulling timing and delaying the shift.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 11,994
Likes: 6,827
From: Silicon Valley
W212 MY'14 M276-3.5NA @75kMi
engine throttles control
Stock 2012 E63 with P30 pkg - in Sport + mode, (actually all modes) if I nail it - it has a really noticeable delay between shifts. When I review others on video etc, it appears their s shift extremely fast with zero delay. Considering a tune and blow off valve, if you have any recommendations.
I always used Renntech when I worked at Benz and had really good results.
The hesitation between shifts is concerning and my main focus right now, normal ?
TIA
I always used Renntech when I worked at Benz and had really good results.
The hesitation between shifts is concerning and my main focus right now, normal ?
TIA
- You clearly recognize hesitations & delayed shifts in every day driving and would like faster shifts.
These are fair expectations for any good car. You are only a few details away from great shifts.
> DIAGNOSIS...
As pointed out in your report... your poor shifts are 90% the result of the engine poor throttle control reported as hesitations.
10% is from miscellaneous factors. Here your "knock sensing" must be resolved.
> BEST SHIFTS
The tranny has a perfect firmware that self-adapts to predictable engine conditions. Leave tranny alone to focus on engine issues. Then stock tranny will deliver the best seemless matched-Rpm shifts. you've ever had.
> CURRENT MODE
Right now you're only getting "best efforts" shift mode. Frictions make up Rpm differences with managed clutch pressure: slippery-sloppy. It can NEVER adapt to variable power input.
> PERFECTLY MATCHED
You will get seemless matched Rpm shifts when the ECU can set the engine throttle to match target shift gear Rpm. Period that's all.
These shifts are extremely quick because there no slippery clutching with slow increasing pressure. It's direct actions:
- open clutch
- shift gears
- slam clutch stacks
> STOCK SETUP
Gear shift issues are multiple:
- wrong high gear ratios are selected
- shift timings suffer delays
- banged gear shifts up or down
- worse hot than warm
By the time engine hesitations are transformed into precise throttle control, matched Rpm gear shift will be enabled automatically.
Predictable throttle control only happens with sealed contributions.
Tranny adaptations are only a quick bandaid until tranny relearns its own good or bad adaptations.
Your first targets are solving that rare "knock" issue.
* include your upset TPMS as well: CAN-B can bug engine-tranny CAN-C timings.
Last edited by CaliBenzDriver; Nov 28, 2025 at 02:39 PM.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,799
Likes: 3,229
2014 E63S; AMS 100 octane ECU dyno tune; EDOK TCU tune; BB intakes; sprintbooster
thanks for the video
So it looks like it's slipping - the tach flares between shifts and hits a rev limiter
this is a trans issue - and the shifts are slow and it's problematic; your car should be shifting much better than this
So it looks like it's slipping - the tach flares between shifts and hits a rev limiter
this is a trans issue - and the shifts are slow and it's problematic; your car should be shifting much better than this
Last edited by PeterUbers; Nov 28, 2025 at 01:05 PM.
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Out Of Control!!
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 11,994
Likes: 6,827
From: Silicon Valley
W212 MY'14 M276-3.5NA @75kMi
delayed sloppy shifts
A dealer visit with ATF + Adaptations will improve shifts for better reference.
Last edited by CaliBenzDriver; Nov 28, 2025 at 01:52 PM.
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Banned
Joined: Nov 2025
Posts: 477
Likes: 187
From: US
Mercedes SL R231
Regardless of mileage, 13 years with no tranny service is way too long! As Cali said, get it to a dealer or shop that can do a proper tranny service and adaptation. Your car is sick right now. A tune will likely make things worse.
Forget the BOV and stay with the factory DV.
Forget the BOV and stay with the factory DV.
