500E/E500 owners:

I would like to determine what each of you experience, in terms of delay (in seconds), when you shift from "P" or "D" into reverse.

I am aware that this time value can be adjusted with a (longer) rod; however, before I have my transmission taken apart to investigate (about $400 just to peek inside), I would like to graph the results of this survey's data.

As of this writing, my reverse delay is a full 4 to 5 seconds - unacceptably long (epecially if I ever need to "make my getaway," under any circumstances)!

: )

RSVP / Thank you for your input,

Geez Scott, I think something is broke! My car hesitates about half a second before reverse engages. 4-5 secs is enough time for a latte and biscotti.

__________________
Dean Albrecht
"Lead, follow, or better yet, get out of the way!"E500 owners motto

Shifting to D is almost immediate...maybe a half a second. Reverse is about the same, maybe just a moment longer.

Good luck, and I hope nothing's awry

__________________
"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

Yes... I must agree with everyone (as I suspected): 4 to 5 seconds is WAY too long!

Eric Hiss and I just tested his 500E, tonight, and his also took a mere .5 to 1.0 seconds to shift into reverse.

"Hi-ho, hi-ho: to Autobahn I go..."

About the same for me. About a second, even when cold. I wouldn't despair too much, and I'd probably spend the money somewhere else! I know you're site is down, but would it be possible to see a couple of pix of your car? I'm considering the same wheel/tire setup for my car, and have been hoping your server would be back. I'm sure you're busy; any help would be appreciated. thanks, allen.

My website should be back up in 2 to 3 weeks.

I will be happy to e-mail you some pictures at that time.

I mentioned this to benzmac once when he was working on my car. Indeed, mine usually takes more than a second to engage reverse, but certainly not 4-5! I share your concern that I may get in a situation where I have to access reverse quickly and won't get it in time. I think I recall him saying it was "not uncommon."

tv
'92 500E

Hey Scott,

Do you think this is byproduct of the first gear start valve body? It didn't seem like anything else on your trani was wrong.....

Eric

Eric:

Actually, this problem predates my RENNtech first gear start valve body installation. My tech mentioned it to me a while back, but I didn't really begin to notice it until last week. I'm going to look into fixing this in a month or two...

That's good since I just ordered the 1st gear start valve body from Renntech.

E

I checked out my delay into reverse and it's about 1 - 2 seconds. I've had a ticking noise in reverse over the last 2.5 years I've owned the 500. It doesn't seem to get worse so the advice I've received from the dealer and a reputable independent is don't do anything until I have to... the solution will be a transmission swap anyway (approx $1500)...


off topic: I've REALLY have enjoyed the chip upgrade AND recently added the KN's.... the car is just SO responsive and quick... THis is getting REALLY addicting... I HAVE to now get 17's First. Then the first gear start and THen the "y" pipe which leads me to the question....

Does the "Y" pipe replace the front muffler OR does it go upstream of the front muffler? Also, do you (Tim/Scott)notice a performance improvement OR does the "sound of power" give the illusion of improved performance?

__________________
Mark Herzig
1995 E300D 153K
1985 300D 142K (sold)
1979 450SL 122 miles (sold)
1992 500E 127K (sold)
1987 300SDL 132K (sold)
1986 300E 161K (sold)

Mark:

I do notice a throatier sound with the Timevalve "Y" pipe; it may actually add a horse-or-two, but I may be psychologically occluded/biased in my view. All I can say, with respect to RENNtech, is: Mr. Feyhl and his team are SECULAR GODS OF SPEED! I absolutley LOVE MY CAR!!!

The "Y" pipe, incidentally, is a bolt-on replacement for the "mid-muffler" (aka: center resonator). It is a no-brainer, as John Hamilton and I both can attest. Any competent muffler shop (or you, yourself, if you have a hydraulic lift) can square you away in less than 30 minutes.

My advice: RENNtech or BUST! These mods kick extemities, take names, and CROSS THEM OUT!!!

Tomorrow is "R-Day" (any other West Point/USMA types out there?): RENNtech chip replacement of the PAD chip, that is.

If anyone wants to buy my old PAD chip, I'll sell it for $150 - including shipping (at my expense).

command of preparation = "READY"
command of execution = "GO!"

* OUT *

Well My trans is about 2 yrs old. When P to R a tenth of a second or so. Scott when is the last time. Trans was serviced? You never know dirty fluid could get in the clutch paks and cause a delay. Well guys my 500E project is coming along. Just instal1ed the PAD performance chip/
waiting for my K&N's just put Brembo Cross drilled rotors on With Factory Pads I think this combo works Best.
The car screams now it wants to see 7000 RPM's pretty damn quick. Im installing a set of 19 inch wheels off a CL500 I had them machined and adapted to the wheel offset required for our kind of chasis. I hope to post pics soon.


Im sending all my wood panels and refinishing them in the ASH burl 500E owners have fun. Im looking to get some guys with
the 500E's or E500 who live in Calif or Southern Cal to
meet me at my tuning shop in downtown LA.I want to start a exclusive 500E regional owners club or a meet and greet.
Thanks for your time guido(factory Certified tech 13yrs)

Scott,

I may have to take you up on your PAD offer if no one has already purchased it.
This will go nicely with the K&N I will do as well.

Guido, any pictures of the wheel package you are going with?

Well, I used to have a delay problem with my reverse. It would take, oh, about 5 seconds to engage and, towards the end before I got the problem fixed, it would finally engage very abruptly. This was a major problem on when parked on hills in san francisco as I would engage reverse to back out of a parking space but would instead drift downhill into the car parked in front of me!

The fix was a pretty much complete transmission rebuild. Don't ask how much that cost.

__________________
john
'87 2.3-16v
'92 500E