Hi,

I have a new W203 C240 Auto and an very disappointed with the Auto box w.r.t. responsiveness. The box never seems to change when I really need a boost of power. It lags for about 1 second. This is especially noticeable at low speeds and then putting your foot down. Another problem is manually changing the gear down. At about 30mph if you flick the box down from "D" to "2" then you can feel the car changing slowly 5 > 4 > 3 > 2. By the time it gets to 2nd gear you could have travelled 100ft and, if you do this when it's most needed (big bend ahead / hill coming up) then it is in fact quite a safety issue.

I have read somewhere that there is a valve (vacuum actuator jobby) or something that can be adjusted to help overcome this. Considering MB tout this gearbox as being adaptive and able to change to a drivers own style and also charge £1400 for the privalige - I think we should expect better.

Any advice / comments


Cheers, Paul-the-limey

Hi,

I've got a W202 C240 (98'), and I feel exactly the same. When I'm crusing at, let's say 60 mph, if I need suddenly to pass or anything else, I have to anticipate at least 1 to 2 seconds (that is very long when you need to 'take off' !) my action ...

I think it's more an electronic matter, because when you push suddenly the trottle, the engine doesn't revs up before at least 1 second, maybe to let the necessary time to the transmission to select the appropriate speed.

Is there anything to do about this ?

A french MB fan, from Paris !
Richard.