No, this is not an invitation to other transmissions for a play date in the park.

The vehicle in question is a '95 E320 Special Edition Sedan with 150,000 miles. I bought it at 122,000 and have lived with the current condition since then with no discernable change.

When shifting into park, the car will roll around 6" - 8" either way depending on the grade upon which I'm parked. I use the parking brake regularly, shifting to neutral, then engaging the park brake, then up to Park.

Is the rolling a problem? Should it be addressed sooner rather than later? Or is it something that is best left alone and not worry about it?

Additionally, a 2 - 3 second delay occurs before transmission engages when shifting from R to D and vice versa. More noticeably when shifting from R to D, I often feel two separate engagements - as if the transmission engages and then the differential engages (just a guess). Anything to be conerned about here?

Thank you for your consideration and help!

Stan

Patient: it hurts when I do this. Doctor: don't do that. You shouldn't let it roll around in park. Park is not designed for stopping your car on a hill. Put the e-brake before you take your foot off the foot brake, then shift to park. Do this and you'll never again know how far it will roll in park.

Your post is confusing.

"When shifting into park, the car will roll around 6" - 8" either way depending on the grade upon which I'm parked. I use the parking brake regularly, shifting to neutral, then engaging the park brake, then up to Park."

If you actually always apply the Parking brake before you shift into Park, then the only way it can move 6 to 8 inches is if you Parking brake is not holding. You can adjust the Parking Brake system. As previous post stated, never use Park to hold the car.


Search forum on R to D delay or similar terms. You will find information about your transmission symptoms. First step would be to change the tranny fluid and filter.
There are shifter bushings that could be bad, cheap fix. There is the B2 piston problem.

Steve

I'm not sure what mechanism actually holds the car when in park. My 124s do not roll more than an inch or so when putting them in park. Maybe I'm a bad driver, but I've probably not used my parking brake more than maybe five times ever.

The only thing that comes to mind is if the shifter bushings are worn or gone, perhaps it's not shifting fully into park. Does the shifter have much fore and aft play?

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2012 E350
2006 Callaway SC560

Not a bad driver, the car is stopped. Un-wise would be a better description.

When your car gets bumped from behind with the shifter in Park and the parking break off, the bill to repair the transmission may change your habit.

Steve

Thanks for the feed back guys. To clarify, the car only rolls when I don't use the parking brake. 1" seems more like what it should do rather than 6"-8". I'm fully capable of setting the park brake each time and am now in the habit. My concern is whether or not this is an issue that may worsen or cause further damage. Any insights?

I'll do a separate search for the R to D delay.

Be well,
Stan

Mine rolls around a little more than I'd like too - it'll only roll 6"-8" if I'm on a hill and it rolls backward. Next to my shop is a transmission shop and I asked them if it could be adjusted or if that was normal, they replied that it is normal, don't worry about it. Considering the other option is rebuilding a transmission that doesn't need it, I'm going to leave it alone.

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- Brian


1989 500SEL Euro
1966 250SE Cabriolet
1958 BMW Isetta 600

Great! That's what I was hoping to hear and I appreciate you sharing it.

I remember having gone back to the dealer when I bought my 1989 W124 bought used in 1991 with exactly the same comment re: excessive roll.
I was told it was normal.
Since then I simply forgot about it.
Now at closed to 400K, it still rolls (backward or forward) with no apparent bad consequence.
parking brake???? what's that?.
I don't think I've used it more than 3 times in the last 16 years.

I first started applying the parking before every shift to park when a Porsche 928 owner's manual told me to do so. My recollection is that it was quite emphatic about this - that failing to do so would result in harm to the transmission. My current MB 1992 owner's manual also advises to do so, in one case with a "warning": "firmly depress parking brake pedal", then "move selector lever to "p". It further says "Important": "It is advisable to set the parking brake whenever parking or leaving the vehicle", and "When parking on hills, always apply the parking brake". I find it easier to do it all the time, very easy habit to get into. Regular use seems to be good for a parking brake, they can get rusty and lock up from non-use.

Again, thanks for sharing your experience. I think I'll continue to err on the side of caution and use the e-brake each time - it's already a habit. I'm planning to sell the car soon so this is very helpful info to share with a potential buyer.