CLS 63 lumpy gear change for first few minutes from cold

[kevinpsw]

I have a 07 CLS63 with the 7 speed gearbox. The first few changes, principally the 2 to 3 change, are slow to engage and lumpy. The problems then disappears. This does not happen when the car is warm, only from cold start.

I wondered if it could be a auto transmission fluid circulation issue.

Has anyone experienced this issue with a seven speed Mercedes gearbox of this type? On an E63, CLK63, S63 or S63?

[GTIR]

What's the mileage?
My E220 (5 speed simple gearbox) does this then after a fluid, filter change it's fine.

Also, the 7 speeds do suffer from failure but I doubt it's this.

[kevinpsw]

40k and just had (April) a gearbox fluid change.

I've had it in C mode (which doesn't use 1st gear) but will try S mode when car is cold tomorrow.

Maybe it is just something these boxes do?

[chiefski26]

Hi had same issue with a ex c63 get a software update done at mb dealer it should help.

[anonymous-user]

GTIR said:

What's the mileage?
Also, the 7 speeds do suffer from failure..

Really? Do tell more!

[SpecB]

The speed sensors spit their dummy out and the box goes into limp mode - it either sticks in high gear or sticks in second and you have to turn the car off to reset it. There is loads about it on MBClub.

My E500 has been in the garage for two weeks waiting for the valve body and conductor plate assembly to be sent by MB. It finally arrived in today and I will get my car back this week all being well. It is costing about £1,500 to sort out. (Warranty company).

I sincerely hope it isn't this. Mine has done 80K miles.

Edited by SpecB on Wednesday 13th June 20:46

[slippery]

SpecB said:

The speed sensors spit their dummy out and the box goes into limp mode - it either sticks in high gear or sticks in second and you have to turn the car off to reset it. There is loads about it on MBClub.

My E500 has been in the garage for two weeks waiting for the valve body and conductor plate assembly to be sent by MB. It finally arrived in today and I will get my car back this week all being well. It is costing about £1,500 to sort out. (Warranty company).

I sincerely hope it isn't this. Mine has done 80K miles.

Edited by SpecB on Wednesday 13th June 20:46

Is this something that can affect the ML500 or does that have a different 7-speed box?

[SpecB]

slippery said:

Is this something that can affect the ML500 or does that have a different 7-speed box?

It's the 722.9 'box which I think is all the seven speed 'boxes. It can affect the five speed as well but you can get away with changing just the conductor plate. Unfortunately, you can't get the conductor plate on its own for the seven speed.

There are that many failing that the garage has to send diagnostic reports to MB just to get approval to order the part which is then coded to the car and sent out. Lead time is about two weeks.

I am hoping that the newer boxes and parts have been modified to stop this happening.

[slippery]

I think I might keep the MB warranty running for the duration of my ownership.

[SpecB]

slippery said:

I think I might keep the MB warranty running for the duration of my ownership.

Probably a wise decision.

[GTIR]

yellowbentines said:

GTIR said:

What's the mileage?
Also, the 7 speeds do suffer from failure..

Really? Do tell more!

I'm sure you can find info out there.

But, they do have issues and my mates 120k S320 was rebuilt then it went again at 170k or something.
They're certainly not as reliable as the "normal" 5 speed autos.
Saying that though yours has low mileage so it should be ok.

[kevinpsw]

The car makes the same less than smooth 2 to 3 gear change when cold in Sport mode as it does in Comfort mode. I counted and, after two iterations, it then smooths out.

I'm going to monitor it closely and look out for it getting any worse.

My research confirmed that a software update is the next step assuming no fault code is found. Fingers crossed that it won't come to that.

I went the extra few thousands to get a 63 over a 55 AMG and bought without knowing of the potential foibles of this type of gearbox.

If it needs attention, I'll post what happened.

Apart from this potential issue, the CLS63 is one hell of a car for the £21k it cost me at 5 years old. Must have cost first owner £70k plus. I didn't invest in an aftermarket warranty and have decided to put the money one would have cost away just in case!