I have a 1996 E320 which takes off in second gear.Has anybody modified the auto to take off in first gear all the time.Thanks

I'm surprised your '95 would have a 2nd-gear start. US models have, as I recall, all had 1st gear takeoffs since the early 90's (certainly by '93).

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Steve
'93 400E

My wifes 92 300se also starts in second gear it is very annoying.
My 96 E320 starts in second gear for a second or two then drops into first.

my 92 300Ce starts in first gear all the time.

Alon

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'92 300CE - Sold
2004 C240 - 744 - C7 Wheels - Android Radio
2002 C320 - 816 - Sport Wagon

As early as '91, possibly '90 as my '91 300E always starts in 1st gear. Come to think of it, this feature might have something to do with the ASR option that came with my car, but don't quote me on that. I love it; adds some nice pep off the start.

~Paul

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'91 300E 199k

I posted a question like this a few months ago and got an excellent response from some members, although the solutions provided looked to complicated.

My 1995 E320T was ordered (stupidly) from the factory with the 4-speed auto (instead of the little more expensive 5-speed auto). I thought for a country like mine, where highways are a rare sight, a 5-speed would be a waste. Later I realized that the 4-speed auto is programmed to start in 2nd gear. On the other hand, the 5-speed auto is programmed to start in 1st (better pick-up).

It is definitely annoying and frustrating (the 2nd gear start), and it really bugs me to have to press to gas pedal further than I have to everytime to call on 1st at start-ups.

The 5-speed auto that came standard in my S320 is another story. Even though both cars have the same engine, the E320T feels like an E200 compared to the S320, and all the blame is pointing to the transmission.

A. Rosich
S320, 1998
E320T, 1995

I am pretty convinced that a 1996 E320 (W210), with 4 speed 722.4 trans has first gear start!!

Maybe being an australian car it could be different?
ARE YOU SURE it's starting in 2nd gear??

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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!)

Hi,

Your 96 e class has a 722.6 fully electronice transmission,there should be a little switch next to the selector lever on the center console that says w/s(winter/summer). In w mode th etransmission will start out in second gear for better traction on wet or snow covered streets.In s the transmission will start out in 1st gear and electronically shift through the proper gear sequence. Hope this helps.




Mike(mk153)

MK153,
The 1996 E320/420 (W210) had the 4 speed 722.4 auto transmission. IN 1997, they got the fully electronic 722.6 5 speed auto.

But this is in the US, it may have been different for other countries....

__________________
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!)

You got me thinking now....lol

Yes,you are correct.The 722.6 was used on s420,s500long/coupe,s600long/coupe,and sl500/600.Vehicles using the 104 engine and 202's used the 722.4 0r if 210055 used the 722.3.

I couldn't find anything on the E-420,I will do some looking tomorrow.



mike(mk153)

Well you really got me thinking.... I was beginning to wonder that the 722.6 just MAY have been in the 96 E420... but then it hit me!

THERE WAS NO W210 V8 in 1996!! Thus they never made a 1996 E420, for the US market anyway. So I guess that answers our question.

__________________
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!)

My E320 is a 4speed auto. I spoke to my local Mercedes dealer and he confirms the second gear takeoff.
He says there is nothing they can do to make it take off in first gear.
Somebody I know has shorted the kick down switch to trick the auto to take off in first. This made the auto to aggresive for everyday driving.
Any ideas,
Thanks

Dave,

Your right,97 e420 was a v-8 (119 eng) that used a 722.6 trans.Thanks for the input!!!!!





Mike

My 190E has second gear start. If I drop the lever back into low gear hold and then back to drive, it starts in first gear every time.

Might work for you!

In my '90 300TE, I don't mind the 2nd gear start...It keeps me tame.

Although I use the same trick as Neil when I know I need an extra kick or some Honda wants to drag race...

While stopped in D, shift to 2 then back to D. It then starts in 1st gear.

Greg