I just took my 500E in to a reputable transmission rebuilder for a rebuild, which included a torque converter replacement. When they, to my surprise, had it done in a day, I learned they had a rebuilt one on the shelf, and that the one for this car is the same as for some larger models, which I recall were the S-500 and 500-SE. I immediately noticed it drives like a little old lady car, with long drawn out sluggish shifts that you can hardly feel, and shifting at only 1500 rpm.

When I complained, explaining this is not the way a 500E should be, I was told that a pressure adjusment will change everything and that the adjustment given to me is what most customers want. I'm at about 300-400 miles post rebuild and about to bring it back for that adjustment, but am wondering whether there is something I might be missing in the equation, and whether the change of the torque converter could have any contribution.

Assuming an adjustment is the answer are there any recommendations about what I should ask for, so that it will shift hard, firmly and feel like an old Chevy Turbo 400 with a "shift kit."

You could pull the vacuum line. It will shift just like a shift kit then. Make sure you plug the end so it does not create an intake vacuum leak. You can unplug the vacuum line on the drivers side of the tranny.

I would be pissed off. I would want my facotry trans that came in that put back into it. Just to keep it all original. You didnt ask for a an exchange unit. You ask for a rebuild of yours.


this is just my input





G-dog

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500E Sold
2006 Mini Cooper S
Modified,pulley,injectors,suspension
2009 E350 Sport AMG package

If you'd wanted an exchange....you'd have ASKED for an exchange....NO?!
I had my tranny replaced in my 93 500E with a factory rebuild unit, installed by an indie. I'm fairly certain that he installed what I asked/paid for because he doesn't wan't to be responsible for the warranty if it breaks on its own or i if break it. I looked for a used unit and a couple of wrecking yards said that they had a replacement unit from the S and the SL classes that would work. They may fit, but I dont think that the planetary gears and ultimately the individual gear ratio's between shifts would have ben the same. That's what ultimately lead me to go the way i went.

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Regards,

Albert
aldedmon@yahoo.com

RE: Crisper Shifting
Sounds like they will be doing a vacuum modulator adjustment- which can adjust shifting characteristics within a range

I have played with this adjustment on other non-rebuilt W124 trannys to smoothen out shifts (non 500e)

I also share the hunch that others have brought up:
the trans you received is not a completely true 500e specified trans (per original MB 500e engineered specifications)

...sure the current replacement trans works and perhaps even the housing/lines connect up just fine....but it may not contain the 500e specified guts inside where it counts

I would seek to keep 500e replacment parts limited to the 500e "specified" as this is a special car. ....otherwise it runs the risk of becoming bastardized

Would someone comment what particular- if any are 500e specified trans parts ?

tks-fad
'94 E500
etc.

Which shop did you use?