Well first off, I always thought that these cars started off in 2nd. I guess not because I count 3 shifts (1-2, 2-3, 3-4) which lead me to believe its starting in 1st.

Anyway, it’s weird; the 1-2 shifts are unnaturally hard. The rest are nice and smooth. I guess I don’t really know how to explain it. It’s not a “knock” like a bad flex disk or something, just a strong, uncomfortable jolt forward, surely this isn’t normal. Any ideas on what I can do?

While I have you, what’s up with tranny flushes? What are they supposed to do? Do they "fix" anything by washing everything out? Like are detergents used or something? Is this something that’s good to have done and if so can any reputable shop do it (ie. its not a Dealer-Only procedure)?

Last tranny question I promise. Sometimes the 2-3 shifts are very fast. By that I mean, the car is in 2nd for only…well… a second! I don’t know if this behavior is okay or not, but its something I noticed that seems kinda weird to me.

on my 95 E420 the first couple of shifts are like you describe but generally when car is "cold". After it warms up shifts are smoother. I believe this is normal from what I have read on past posts.

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95 E420 ( 76K) SOLD
85 380SE(125k)
95 SL500(72k)

Atlbenz: how many miles on the car? In any case i'd replace the tranmission fluid/filter (i don't like the flush, just change like your motor oil) and see if it changes the situation.

about 150k-ish. is it easy to change the tranny filter? how many quarts of oil will I need to replace as I assume the entire tranny will be drained? So flushing the system isnt generally a usefull procedure. ....just an oil and filter change. okay-dokay

My 400E used to do the exact same as your car, and since they have the same drivetrain it's probably due to the same reason.

The quality of the shifts are controled by a vaccum modulator on the transmission. There is an adjustment on it that can improve the quality of the shifts and make it shift much softer. When I adjusted mine it solved the problem and it now shifts like butter.

Do a search on a transmission shift modulator, or of something like that and you will find several posts on it.

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1992 Mercedes-Benz 400E
2002 Mercedes-Benz ML500

I would check out the vacuum lines ^^ as stated above, but also drain the torque converter and transmission pan. The filter/gasket kit shouldn't be more than about $30 from Fastlane and includes the gasket, filter, and any other seals necessary. When I did my 94 e320 trans fluid/filter (trans 722.369) it took about 6.5 - 7 quarts (I used Mobile 1 synthetic)

Unfortunately on the V8 models the exhaust pipe goes right underneath the access point to get to the torque converter making removal of that section required.

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1992 Mercedes-Benz 400E
2002 Mercedes-Benz ML500

seriously?? wow...that kinda sucks...

I've heard of people using a topsider to remove tranny fluid, if you could get 6-7 quarts out (or 90+% of the overall capacity) I suppose that would be an option. Then you wouldn't need to remove that section of exhaust (big PIA i'm sure)

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Daily Driver: 02 E430 4MATIC
In the family: '03 E500 // '04 ML500 // 64 220SE

I have a topsider, but only change my engine oil with it. I was going to try the transmission but I've heard it doesn't work as smoothly.

I changed my transmission fluid recently, and though I only did the pan, the fluid was like new. Since it was in such good condition after 30k miles I don't think it's worth the effort to get to the torque converter drain plug. But if the fluid looked horrible then I might try it.

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1992 Mercedes-Benz 400E
2002 Mercedes-Benz ML500