On my C280, the transmission shifts harshly for the first 10 minutes that I drive it. It seems that when it's cold, it doesn't shift smoothly, even if the coolant temperature has been warmed to above 80. Is this normal?

Also, since the C280 in 1997 had the same engine as my 1995, and it had the 5 gear automatic transmission, 77.2.6, I think. Is it possible for me to put this in my car? It was put into the later models that were the same size, so I was thinking that this would be possible when my transmission fails, how complex would this be? I really like how my s shifts. And I plan on having the C280 until it dies. The S is just my main car and I will trade that in when I am done with it. I started off with the C280 in 1994 becuase my husband wanted me to drive a Mercedes (I used to drive a 1993 740il), though he wanted me to have an S class mercedes or something better than a c (c for cheap he called it), I like the way the c280 looked versus the S. He let me get my C class, but then when it was time to get a new car, i decided i would get the S like he wanted me too, but I loved my c280, it was too cute to just dump like the other cars, so he let me have both. Oh boy, I am sorry, I tend to run on and off the topic I begin with! I am sorry!
And why does my C280 have first gear only up to 30, second to 60, and 3rd to 95, while the 5 gear transmission in my 98 goes in first gear to 45, 2nd gear to like 75, and 3rd gear to over a hundred? I am curious because it seems like the 4 speed would have those taller numbers because of the less number of gears. When I drive over a hundred in my C class, my engine runs are very high, like 4,000 or more on the other gauge. When I took my S to Mammoth with a few girlfriends last month, I would drive 100 and the RPM would only be just over 3,000 or so.
I love flooring the Mercedes, they have a certain sound unlike no other car I have ever driven. They are so fun to drive, they have such wonderful, powerful personalities. Is flooring it bad for my Mercedes? I have always floored my C-class since new, and it has nearly 70 thousand mils on it now and everything seems to be ok, but I want to drive this car forever, as my 2nd car until it will no longer go anywhere. I always have Mercedes change the oil (I tried to change it myself once, but that was a disaster, another story for another time!) and whatever else they do every few months, and they tell me it will be ok if I have all of tuning done to it. But it still concerns me. My word, I am sorry, me rambling again!
Thank you for everyone's help, you are all so kind! Everyone seems to be wonderful people on this Mercedes shop internet forum.

[Edited by petra on 04-18-2001 at 03:05 AM]

Petra, The 1995 & 1997 C280 transmissions aren't interchangable at all. However a good technician should be able to adjust the modulator(if it's good) so that the shifts aren't too harsh!


[Edited by M.B.DOC on 04-19-2001 at 07:57 AM]

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

Petra,
You should do a search for HARD DRIVING, that should answer your questions to flooring it and how it affects your car. My transmission on my C280 does the same, but only when it's cold, also, maybe it's just a characteristic.
Actually John (JCE) suggest that maybe the transmissions are interchangeable.
MBDoc, can you give specifics as to why it's not? Seems like they could be?

__________________
2006 E350 w/ 155k miles (Daily Driver)

Previous:
1993 300E 3.2L Sedan w/ close to about 300k miles
2003 E500 Brilliant Silver (Had 217k miles when totalled!)
1989 300E with 289,000 miles (had for <1 yr while in HI)
03 CLK 500 cabrio (Mom's)
2006 C230k (Dad's)
1999 S420 (Mom's/Dad's)
2000 C230k Sport sedans
2001 CLK320 Cabrio (Mom's)
1995 C280 My First Mercedes-Benz... (155k miles. EXCEPTIONAL AUTOMOBILE. Was Very hard to let go of!)

The 1997 & later cars all use COMPUTER controlled transmission. EVERY part of this system needs computer inputs that aren't designed into the 1995 Car. The 1997 even has a different fuel system & it's computer also has imput into the trans computer. THE 1995 car has NO computer transmission controls.

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

I love the sound of the engine when floored.

Honda's have a nice F1 sound .. and then the MB - which sounds more like a plane taking off (thats before the shift to the next gear up). Bimmers flooring isn't very inspiring as its a deep throttle, but erm ... can do-lah.

Drive the MB like you stole it. That way, you derive 100% maximum satisfaction. Guaranteed.

On the gear ratio to rev changes - its all preset unless you request the MB service centre to change the settings. Perhaps MBDoc would advise you further.

Drive on "S", and you'd be flying with a on your face.

However, if your model comes with a Slushomatic or steptronic, you'd have more pleasures than you can ever ask for.

Keep well.

__________________
... Kerry

126 tailed by a 203, 129 leading the pack.

ymsin, Don't forget that the US models don't come with the choise to put the transmission in either S or E!

greetingz,

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1990 300SL-24
1993 C250D with a minor 600+k kilometer
www.MBenzNL.com(the Netherlands)

They don't? Bummer.

What does it come with?

Maybe it ought to come with:

(E)

S)


Why are these US models different?

__________________
... Kerry

126 tailed by a 203, 129 leading the pack.

Petra, being retired from the Allison Transmission Div. Of G.M. we experienced 2 types of shifts above and below the ideal.
There is the positve shift that engages the gear selection firmly. And the soft shift that engages softly and can have 2 different gear components engage at the same time until the governor line pressure is high enough to complete the up-shift.
Ofcourse the second type is the more pleasant of the 2 and that is what most passenger cars have; whereas the first type snaps your neck so to speak and this one is for the industrial transmission.
My shift of choice is the first because the internal components are not in that in between slip mode as are the second type.
The first type will give you longer miles between repairs and the soft shift will not do as well.
Adjustment can be made to get a median between the 2, but if it was mine I would lean toward the harsh, positve shift.
My 1987 W124103 has 174,000 miles and has always had a "Harsh" shift. Other than fluid/filter changes it is still original not even front or rear oil seals.
Search the Forum and your Heart.
Happy Trails Beep Beep from Houston!!!
Don,El Cheapo

Some of the transmissions had a "warm up regulator" on them which would extend the shift changes until the car warmed up. I don't recall if the 95 C-class had this but it is possible. I would also recommend have the driveline inspected to ensure that none of the components are worn, including, engine and trans mounts, front flex disk, center support and rear flex disk. Worn flex disks will produce slop in the coupling and imitate a hard shift. Has the trans been serviced as scheduled? HTH

__________________
Scott Diener
89 300E
93 300E
92 Volvo 740 Wagon aka "Mutt mover"

Scott: Yes, I just had the transmission fluid checked, it is full and still good. But this only happens when it is cold, no other time, which makes me wonder if it is the cold regulator... maybe someone can help me out? Thanks for the information Scott Diener, you are ever so kind.

David: I am glad to know 'someone else' has this problem! I thought I was the only one. Maybe this is how it is supposed to work when it is cold... Hopefully we will find out. :p