Kudos to Carl & Steve of BergWerks (http://www.bergwerks.com) for installing the deluxe version of their Electronic 1st Gear Start Module (http://www.bergwerks.com/control_module.jsp)

The installation of the (S)port and (E)conomy selector is factory perfect (allows for 1st gear starts or 2nd gear starts), as well as the "Sport" shift range which allows one to program how long to stay in 1st, and when to downshift into 1st is a godsend for our 500E's or any Mercedes that has the "B" selector on the tranny.

The "Security" modes is just icing on the cake which locks all the doors at 5mph (again programmable!).

I'll post some pictures of the completed install soon.

Give them a call!

:-) neil
1988 360TE AMG
1993 500E

Ah, finally, an alternative to the $1000 valve body. Does the module allow you to kickdown to first when you're already at 20+ mph?

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1994 E500

Daesun,
Yes, the deceleration kickdown is programmable and the factory default is 2mph, I believe. Cheers, Andrew Seidel.

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86 560SEC
85 500SEC Lorinser
83 300D Turbo
75 240D

Neil,

Where does the sport/economy switch mount and if visible, does it look factory?

Thanks

Randy
'94 E500

The sport/economy switch mounts in a variety of locations. Also, 500Es in Europe were available with an S/E switch that is located next to the transmission shift lever.

We have designed the 1st gear start unit to work in harmony with the factory S/E switch if desired.

Thanks for the business Neil. We knew you'd like it!

Satish

I have to ask. (MB newbie)

I just bought a euro '86 300E. I has a factory S/E switch next to the shift lever. (see pic below). What is supposed to happen in 'S' and 'E' position. I can't feel any difference at all. -It starts in 2'nd gear no matter what position.

Attached Thumbnails

 

Maybe it changes the shift point at a different rpm between gears...

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

First gear start sounds fun, but I have two comments from having manually commanded it on occasion:

The ratio is pretty short. If I were routinely taking off in first, I would feel as though a slightly taller gear was desirable.

I can't recall if other versions of the 722 automatic do this, but the one I have has noticeable whine in first. Not unlike some versions of domestic automatic transmissions. Second is almost perfectly silent.

s/b

my 1992 300ce has 1st gear start at all times. thats how it came.

Alon

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'92 300CE - Sold
2004 C240 - 744 - C7 Wheels - Android Radio
2002 C320 - 816 - Sport Wagon

Frank Barrett writes in his Illustrated Buyers Guide to Mercedes Benz that all model year 1992 MB's came with first gear start.

There are many here that somehow believe it came on the '94/'95 E320's, but it was 1992.

The only thing that was new on 94/95's was the name change and the exterior changes.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Anyone with a V8 should go for it. I have fitted one of these to my 560SEL and wired it into the S/E switch and it's great. When you need that added pep off the line flick the switch and you are away.

Easy to install, well priced, and functions well.

Matt.

I've visited the Berg site and read what's there about the module, but I need information not provided. Specifically:
1) What connections does it require (inputs from . . . , outputs to . . . .)?
2) When the module is operating, is a shift triggered by vehicle speed or engine rpm?

The reason I need to know is that I'm having a '86 560SEL engine and transmission (which are listed as compatible with the module) put in my '72 350SL. Someone told me the sender for the electronic speedo/odo in a 560SEL is in the differential. If that's true, and if that signal is required by the Berg module, I may not be able to use the module.

Paul S./All,

In the interest of clarity, 1992 500Es start in second gear. I've driven 9-10 of them, and they are all that way. Same thing with the later cars.

But my '92 Diesel starts in First (though you can't really tell....)

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"If God had meant for us to walk, why did he give us feet that fit car pedals?" Sir Sterling Moss

Michael
2014 E63S Estate
2006 SLK55
1995 E500
1986 Porsche 944 turbo

The 6 cyl models all start in first but the V8's until 94 all started in second.

Matt.

Here's a picture of the completed install. You can't see the module because it's tucked into the sides of the center console area.

I had Bergwerks install the switch into the center console trim since I already had an old subwoofer potentiometer in the area, and it makes it much more accessible for a quick shift to the "SPORT" program which holds 1st gear longer (programmable), and downshifts to 1st gear sooner (also programmable).

That along with the factory 1st gear on/off switch (aka, (S)port / (E)conomy switch) and an ASR defeat makes 1st gear launches that much more fun.

:-) neil
1988 360TE AMG
1993 500E