4 speed vs 5 speed transmissions

[Guenter]

Sorry to bother with a possible stupid question re the above automatic transmissions.... nevertheless, I am short-listing SL's to buy and want to make a decision re the 4 speed hydraulic and electronic 5 speed automatic transmissions. Overdrive on the latter is certainly nice but not really essential for myself. However, kickdown on my 300e is agonizingly slow (typical I'm told of the hydraulic 4 speed transmission) and am wondering if this has improved with the 5 speed electronic. any input much appreciated

cheers, guenter

[PagodaLover]

You must be talking about automatic transmissions?

[Carlos Serrano]

There is only one word to describe the responsive, whiplash inducing electronic 5 speed like the one in my 99 SL.
Sweeeeeeeeet...

[jjrodger]

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.

[Guenter]

Originally Posted by jjrodger

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.

thanks so much to both of you for that! I didn't even know it was possible to get a change down with anything less than absolutely full throttle, and even then after having to wait for ohhh 5 seconds or so Clearly, I'll be shortlisting 500SL's from '96 and up.

cheers

[stats007]

The 5-speed was introduced in 1996 and the early ones suffered design problems - rectified in 1997. The 113.961 engine with the 722.6 transmission has to be the best SL500.

[Pete Geither]

I had a 97 E420 with the 5 speed and did like it. However I traded it for the SL with the 4 speed and never regretted it a bit. Haven't driven a newer SL, but mine never hesitates to kick down when I need it and has all the performance I could want. 4 to 5 speed in these cars is splitting hairs IMHO.