SLK 32 AMG Question - Sluggish at Start?
 

Hi!
I have a 2002 SLK 32 I just bought a week ago.
Today the weather in Houston is:
Temperature 78 °F / 26 °C
Humidity 66%
My question is that when I start off the line, the car feels sluggish. Or is it just me?
It goes to 2.5-3K and then shifts, and upon sustained gas (not too much, just a little), goes to around 3 K and then shifts again.
During this process it feels 'heavy' and a bit slow. When I reach 40-50 mph and then shift to 4, with only a little bit of gas it will hit 70-80 in absolutely no time.
So my question is if this is normal, or if the car should take off immediately - right off the bat - even with regular pressure on the gas pedal and should show no hesitation?
Thanks a lot for your time!
Sesh

Start cheap... i would check the air, and fuel filter..

Thanks, Evan. I'm going to the dealership Saturday to pick up a couple of little parts and I'll make sure someone test drives it then and lets me know and I'll get them to check the air and fuel filter for sure.
Sesh

These cars adapt to what it thinks you want. If you are giving the command for light throttle, it thinks you want slow, light acceleration. That is what you get.

I would give it hard acceleration from time to time.

Benzmac,
With your certification I believe you in a heartbeat :-)
Given that this car was owned for a year-and-a-half by a lady - and I am assuming she was not at all aggressive, how long do you think it'd take to re-learn?
Thanks.
Sesh

The computers on the newer cars adapt fairly quickly.. I dont think there is really a down time that takes it to adapt.. Its not a fish getting acclimated to water.. its a car... I could be wrong but in this day and age i would have a hard time believing that you would have to season the brain of a mercedes SLK32 to get it to be more peppy..

By the way, beautiful car.. always wanted one..

Evan,
I have heard from some folks that the adaptive behavior is dependant on patterns of acceleration and braking over a length of time. What the length is I have no idea.
The harder you push it the better it gets as time goes on - the more you coddle it the more 'unresponsive' it feels.
I'm no car expert :-) but I'd think the adaptive learning is not instantaneous. Of course, I have no idea how long it'd take, either.
But this gives me some kind of a license to be a leadfoot, ha ha!
Sesh

I would imagine that a week of driving "your way" would correct this... a seasoning period beyond that i just cant imagine.. you are right, the computer does adapt over time.. But to the extent that it will actually restrict the performance of the car enough that you notice it when you really push it... i just have a hard time swallowing..

Actually I've never really *pushed* the car after buying it. The only time I tested the power was when I first test-drove the car on I-59 [speed was a multiple of 30 mph, not giving it out :D] and it definitely, surely wanted more.
The Sales guy just ripped it off the lot when he started the test-drive, and I was completely pushed back in my seat as if I'd been hit by a brick. The tyres screeched and it slightly fishtailed [ESP, the grandmother, was off - but we all know it's never really fully off].
It does show the power when you really go for it, but starting with medium pressure on the gas pedal doesn't do much.
This afternoon I was driving back to work, and at around 45-50 mph I shifted to 4 and saw the needle touch 4K and a huge burst of power pushing me over 65 in the blink of an eye. So it does have a he11 lot of power; I only need to learn how to tap it properly and consistently.
I had a C230 K before this, which really rules when going over 65 mph; but to get it there, while not a problem, still took some time!
I guess I need to start hitting the gas harder and at least once a day to get its juices going!
Sesh

There is a re-learn procedures and its somehow turning the steering full Left and right. Something on the line of that.

I am sorry that I cannot be specific as I do not have my sets of CDs with me. However I am sure someone on this board knows. The procedures is listed in some of the MB bulliten too!

If you don't fix your problems and no one tell you how to re-learn the computer, drop a short note and I will goto my CDs. However as I am away, I don't think i can get to them until at least several weeks

Stupid question but are you sure it is starting in 1st gear? Check to make sure the the W/S switch is in "S" and this really gives you 1st gear. I can't imagine that the computer's adaptation to driving style would account for more than a few percentage points in throttle response.

The switch is indeed in S mode as always. I have heard from some folks on this forum about the need to upgrade the transmission module (and change a few other parts) to improve (actually correct) the performance anomaly.
Thanks for your replies, your thoughts are welcome and appreciated!
Best,
Sesh