CLS500 Transmission problems anyone? - Benzworld.org

ddd269 · 10-19-2005, 05:19 PM

Hello everyone. Fairly new to this forum and I like what I see. Thanks for the intersting posts.

My CLS500 shifted "harsh" when cold since when I bought it new. It's a very abrupt 2nd to 3rd (when in C mode the default starting gear is 2nd, right?) and the same when shifting down, coming down to a stop. The rough shift subsides as the car warms up. I took the car in at 1000 miles and the dealer said that the Trans oil was 1qt low and brought it up to normal level (I asked how they could check w/o a dip stick and they said they have a way to check[?]). They also reset the adaptive shifting program. Serv advisor told me that it might take about 300 miles for the software to "re-learn" my driving behavior.

After that visit, the shift seemed to get better, but it still jerks (2nd to 3rd) in the mornings. I just took it in again yesterday and the service advisor told me that MB told them to install a module/part(what?) to the tranny. He couldn't really explain what it was but MB felt that there were enough complaints to intall this device. Can they really just add a part to an existing design and make things better??? I'll find out what that is and I'll post it.

I also complained about rough idle. It seems like it's missing every 10 to 15 seconds when stopped at a light and will shake the car. Very slight shake, but it bothers.

The car won't be done for another 2 days.

I expected some problems when first bought the car, but this is a bit annoying.

Such a beautiful car and to have these annoying problems. It's a shame.

jayagopal50 · 10-30-2005, 06:02 AM

i noticed that when the car slows below 20 miles there is jerk.it is not there all the time but when present it is annoying

nporet · 10-31-2005, 07:48 AM

I drove a cls 320 cdi and after 5 kilometer the automatic shift crashed, it was like if I was in neutral.
I had to stop the car , lock unlocked and restart and it worked back perfectly. the car was 2000 kilometer...

ansan · 10-31-2005, 12:49 PM

Was the engine tuned?

nporet · 11-02-2005, 05:39 AM

Not for me, it was the cls 320 cdi from my dealer.

Ken Uyeda · 11-08-2005, 04:38 PM

It seems there are major issues with the new 7-speed transmission across the board on all models now... It's been a common complaint and I think dealers are switching out the transmissions now upon request... hopefully it'll fix the problems.

BeeJay · 11-08-2005, 06:22 PM

Before choosing the CLS500, I had a 20 mile test drive in both the 350 and then the 500.

The 350 gearbox was perfect, but the 500 seemed lumpy on the downward shift (in C mode) towards standstill.

I put this down to the fact that the test car had only done 700 miles. (so did the salesman!): although I did expect this new 7 speed box to perform seamlessly; like the 5 speed box in my (circa 2001) BMW 540 Touring has done for 50000 miles over the last 4 years.

I will be watching this closely over the first 1000 miles but no problem so far in this regard with my new CLS500.

jayagopal50 · 11-09-2005, 05:54 AM

my CLS is at dealer and they have sent for some stuff from germany and will get it back after a few days.This to me suggests that MB is aware of problems and hopefully will fix it as i expect the germans to fix their glitches/desgn problems.

ddd269 · 11-09-2005, 03:00 PM

Update on the CLS tranny.

The dealer replaced the transmission twice. The first one was ok, but my service manager wasnt't happy with the shift after the install. So, he ordered another one with a new torque converter. It's much smoother now, but it still does that annoying rought downshift once in a while (no particular circumstance, but more when it's cold). I guess this is normal.

Now I'm having problems with rough idle. When I'm at a light, it will do a light shake every 3~5 seconds or so. The dealer found a faulty spark plug wire and replaced it. A week later it's doing it again! I'm going back next week to have it checked. Not very happy with the situation.

BeeJay · 11-13-2005, 10:03 AM

Looks like the first problem is here with my auto transmission at just 750 miles.

The build date was October 2005.

The car rolls back on hills in D: the engine idle speed not being enough to hold it stationary. A feint buzzing noise is emitted from the front whilst the car is rolling backwards. What's that noise, anyone??

The archaic hand-brake system on this car, (which is only still seen in the CLS and S class models now), doesn't lend itself, much, to easy hill starting when this occurs either!

I'll be patient with this CLS though. It's still the most stunning car I have ever owned.