The five speed in my 99 is unlike older Mercedes transmissions I have tried. It is much more willing to change down on a part throttle and will kickdown all the way to first on a hard full throttle. It is very similar in style to the BMW AGS Steptronic transmission, although in my view the Mercedes changes between ratios much faster and loses much less power to the slush of the torque converter. Like the BMW tranny, the 722.6 five-speeder is adaptive: it adjusts the shift pattern to match what it perceives to be your diriving style.

Only yesterday I drove a 4speed auto 560SEL and getting that thing to change down was murderously difficult.

Have no such fears with the 5speed.

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JJ Rodger
2013 G350 Bluetec
1999 SL 500
1993 E300 diesel T
1990 190