When it is really cold outside, around the freezing mark, whenver shifting the transmission from park, into reverse to back out, and then into Drive, with a slight throttle application it seems that the transmission shifts into the forward motion with a delay. Granted after you shift into drive you give it a second or two to make teh gear change.

This symptom, once the vehicle is warms never occurs, only after initial start-up when cold. I thought it might be time for the tranny fluid to be replaced along with the filter. Had it replaced in the begining of the week and it still does this. Any ideas?

Also, how hard is this transmission supposed to shift? It seems pretty firm when shifting down gears and when under light throttle application shifting into 4rth gear it is very firm, kind of like the way it is on 300D's. The transmission shifts and operates virtually the same before and after the fluid change. I had my local indy perform the fluid change BTW.

Overall the tranny shifts nicely and operates without any odd noises or the such. Personally I like the firm shifts but don't know if it's a good sign...

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'97 E300
'99 E300

The transmission in you car should be a 722.4, since you serviced the transmission; other possibilities are a sticking engagement valve or torque converter charge valve in the valve body, leaking drum rings, internal. If you what to do a simple test just start the car when cold preferably over night , do not engage any gear and immediately check the transmission fluid level in park; if the levels reads very high the transmission has a internal torque converter drain back problem which will cause a delay engagement