Old age or problem?
 

'94 C220 with 45,800 mi, all services performed, new wiring harness and a lot of litle things that make this a really good driver, but one thing doesn't seem right. When cold the upshifts are really jerky. As the car warms up the shifts get pretty good. Not as smooth as a newer model, but pretty close. This has been going on for a long time. I had a '96 E320 that acted the same over the last year or so. Seems like it may have started after the 30,000 mi fluid change. Thoughts?

I reply since you've as yet received none. I am not familiar with modern MB automatics. I must say though if the onset of problems immediately followed a transmission fluid change two things to make sure of (obvious things, but I don't mean it condescendingly):
1) right type of ATF
2) after filling have you checked & rechecked (after driving) ATF level?

I've trusted the dealer in both cases to put in the correct fluid. Although both cars were low milage cars and enough time elapsed until a fluid change at the 30,00o mile mark probably meant a new and improved version was used.
No it would have been too simple to have thought of checking the level. I will do that in the tomorrow. Although the car just spent a week at the dealer, and inspections were supposed to be a part of the visit. I would have thought a through check of the transmission fluid would have been a quick few bucks if something was found.
Thanks for the reply.

We had a '95 C220 and it did the same thing. I read somewhere that there is a temperature control that holds the trans in the lower gears longer to increase engine RPM and speed warm-up.

I was told the same thing. My car does the exact same thing, and I also own a 94 C220. Its done the same throughout my time owning it. I was told by the dealer, that this car doesn't require a long morning warm-up.....instead, just start it up and start driving and the Car..... it will drive rough and higher RPM shift points until it is warmed up... Although if I choose to burn gas that costs me more then its equivlant in Dairy Milk for a nice morning warm up, the car drive's fine. So for you're next cold start, warm it up for a few minutes and see if it makes a difference. If it doesn't, then i'd start to wonder what's wrong with it...