MB adaptive tranny technology - how good is it???

[Darkmann]

So far, I think it's the best. However, I have a question here that's been stumping a lot of people for some days now: Gilli, I call upon your resources!!!

Does the tranny adapt to one driving style only or does it use the seat memory to adapt to the driving style. This will result in three possible adaptable driving modes. The 3 position memory is there for three different driving positions. It would seem logical to allow the tranny adapt to three driving modes. Otherwise, everytime a new driver gets in, the system has to learn all over again. Now, for those who don't have the memory seat option, only one driving mode would be possible. Does this all make sense???

[Gilly]

The adaptive transmission mapping is all internal to the transmission control unit. It adapts literally in "real time", it can adjust immediately to an aggressive throttle movement to change gears as appropriate. To me it acts like it is not an electronically controlled transmission at all, and I believe this is what MB was after when they designed the elctronic adaptation parameters.
I know I have driven some older BMW's with adaptive transmission, it tends to retain shift adaptations for quite some time before it figures out an appropriate "shift map" for the present driver, very irritating. However, if the kid borrows the Beemer for a night, and the next day the transmission is shifting way too late and way too hard, it ain't hard for daddy to figure out how Junior was driving it.

Gilly

[Darkmann]

Thanks. That explains it.