4 speed / 5 speed auto?

[tecqboy]

The automatic transmission in my 1991 300SL is billed as a 5 speed. Under "normal" driving conditions it always starts off in 2nd gear. Supposedly, if you troump it from a stand still, it's supposed to start in 1st. I've seen reference here and in other places about a modification kit that "fixes" the transmission to always start in 1st. You guys with 500SL's probably don't care, but the 300SL would certainly benefit from a 1st gear start. Anyone have any info on the fix? Thanks Tod

[tecqboy]

OK, I did a search and found the bergwerks info, but it only says for the 500SL. I'll e-mail them directly for more info. But has anyone here installed their kit? www.bergwerks.com

[bobterry99]

The Bergwerks kit is not for the 300SL. I believe they have a valve body modification planned, however.

[spinedoc]

tecqboy, I put the bergwerks kit in my 1991 500SL, great kit and well worth the money. I hope they can make a kit for ya!

[CDNC36AMG]

Spinedoc, did you get the kit to modify the centre console or did you mount the switch elsewhere? Thanks.

[tecqboy]

Spindoc: I talked with bergwerks Monday and they told me that 90 thru 93 300SLs have 5 speed auto's while 90 thru 95 500SLs have only a 4 speed auto. So, I'm asking "Whats in your 1991 500SL"? Their "kit" has only been tested on 500SL's. But I'm wondering why would you need a kit on a 500SL if it has only a 4 speed transmission? This is just not making any sense to me yet. Tod

[CDNC36AMG]

Tec....the 500 starts in 2nd all of the time unless you manually start it in first. As a result it's not as quick off the line as it could be. The kit allows you to takeoff all of the time in first, unless you shut it off, and allows you to set the rpm shift point 1st to 2nd.

[slor911]

Tec ... pre '96 500s have a 4sp tranny.

Ocassionally, I can get my 90 500 to start in 1st gear if I really punch it ... most of the time it does not, though.

Doc .. I think I will get the bergwerks kit on your recommendation. Thanks for the tip.

[spinedoc]

Hey guys, I got the kit but did not get the button kit from them. If you install with all the options you will need 2 buttons, and their kit only has one, so kind of a lame solution. I just drilled the appropriate holes in the wood console next to the shifter and mounted the professional looking buttons they provided, it looks almost stock. For the industrious a great solution would be to pop off two rectangles off where the ASR button is on the newer models and mount real mercedes switches in there.

The kit is great and gives the car a lot more pep off the line.

[tecqboy]

Just found this out about the 5 speed auto in my 1991 300SL from another member of this forum. If you are stopped, like at a red light, and pull the shifter all the way down to "2" , then go back to "4" or "D", when the light changes and you step on the gas, the transmission will start off in 1st and then shift through the rest of the gears in normal fashion. Problem is, you have to do this every time you want to start in 1st. Nothing about this in my owners manual. Very interesting. Tod

[LeaUK]

That trick probably works for most the older mercs too as it certainly does for my '89 190 2.6 ;-)