MY02 320: I notice that the ML shift pattern at very low speeds (crawl speeds) is not smooth at all. Scenario: was crawling on a slight downward slope on a mall parking lot and tranny shift was very loud (I believe it was shifting to a lower gear). Why it shifted to begin with, I don't know. I've noticed it a few other times also, while coasting towards a stop sign/light. Any one else noticed this?

but a local friend of mines does.. in fact he ran into a fence because of his transsmission =(

G-wagen's starting with the 96 (97 for the gas versions) also use the 722.6xx transmission. My 96 G300DT has demonstrated the same symptom on rare occasions. It only happens when driving very slowly and the transmission decides to shift 2->1. The worst time was when I was in low range. It slammed me against the seat belt (and then the head rest) so hard that I thought the explosive seat belt tensioner had gone off. I don't know of a cure. Our E-class has an identical transmission it has displayed this problem, but it isn't as noticable.

Alan
63 230SL
96 G300DT
98 E300DT

That's it. My E Class doesn't show this either. It's quite a hard shift when it happens.

Hello Darkmann !

And here I've been.. for the last two years, thinking I'm the only one who was noticing the "hard" downshifts that you refer to.

I have noticed it especially when coasting to a stop on level ground, going less than 20 km /h (about 15 mph), and what usually triggers the downshift (from 2nd to 1st gear) is if I hit the brakes very lightly, to slow the car down even more, but not bring it to a stop immediately. The downshift feels like a "kick" in the transmission, and is definitely noticable.

My check engine light came on earlier today, while driving at highway speed, so when I take it in tomorrow I will ask them about the transmission thing as well.

Regards,
Hans

You described it perfectly. Definitely let me know what the techs have to say about it. Thanks.