7g Tronic Plus software update? Belfast?

[garyenelson]

Hi all,

Sorry if this is in the wrong place as this is the first I’ve posted in quite some time.

I’ve recently come back to Mercedes ownership with a late 2011 W204 C250 cdi with the 7g Tronic plus gearbox.

I’m having issues with the transmission holding on to 1st and 2nd gear too long and also hard shifting from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd when cold. All other gear changes are silky smooth.
I’ve spoken with a Mercedes specialist who has said the software version on the gearbox is from year 2011 and that an updated one should cure the hard shifting.

I’ve spoken with Agnew Mercedes in Belfast who have checked my cars VIN and are telling me there software on my gearbox would be the most up to date. They aren’t willing to do take the car in to check for updates at all.

My difficulty here is that Agnew Mercedes of Belfast are the only Mercedes dealers in Northern Ireland so I’m not sure what I should do next.

Would anyone happen to know of any indies or Mercedes dealers in Northern Ireland or Ireland that would be willing to update my gearbox software and adaptions?

Thanks in advance!

Gary

 

[Gazwould]

When did it have it's ATF changed , Gazzala ?

 

[garyenelson]

When did it have it's ATF changed , Gazzala ?

First gearbox service was at 35,000 miles by Mercedes. Second one is booked for next Friday. I’m being told that although the gearbox service is due and must be done it apparently won’t cure the hard shifting or stop the gearbox holding on to 1st and 2nd.

It’s just a little frustrating that Agnew Mercedes hold a monopoly here and are totally unwilling to apply updates to the car when I’m willing to pay

G

 

[garyenelson]

First gearbox service was at 35,000 miles by Mercedes. Second one is booked for next Friday. I’m being told that although the gearbox service is due and must be done it apparently won’t cure the hard shifting or stop the gearbox holding on to 1st and 2nd.

It’s just a little frustrating that Agnew Mercedes hold a monopoly here and are totally unwilling to apply updates to the car when I’m willing to pay

G

Sorry, should have said. Just turned 75,000 miles now.

 

[Gazwould]

How many years old did it get to the 35K ?

 

[WOODYTHEWISE]

Not at all sure on this. My technical knowledge ended with the advent of colour television. this may or may not be of help to you.
You are being redirected...

 

[garyenelson]

How many years old did it get to the 35K ?

The first gearbox service was done at 3 years old when the car turned 35,000 miles.

 

[markjay]

Is yours the 7g+ (with the stop/start), or the older 7g?

If 7g+, then this is a characteristic of the 7g+ automatic transmission.

Not sure if the older 7g suffers from the same issue.

The TCU software update is a good idea in general, but unfortunately it won't cure the issue of the harsh shifts when cold on the 7g+.

And you can also update the ESM software while you're at it.

 

[garyenelson]

Not at all sure on this. My technical knowledge ended with the advent of colour television. this may or may not be of help to you.
You are being redirected...

Is yours the 7g+ (with the stop/start), or the older 7g?

If 7g+, then this is a characteristic of the 7g+ automatic transmission.

Not sure if the older 7g suffers from the same issue.

The TCU software update is a good idea in general, but unfortunately it won't cure the issue of the harsh shifts when cold on the 7g+.

And you can also update the ESM software while you're at it.

I’m hoping it will improve a bit after the gearbox service next week.

I would really like to have the TCU and ESM software updates done but unfortunately I don’t know of anywhere in Northern Ireland that can carry them out for me.

It’s looking like a trip to England or Scotland on a boat to get them done as Mercedes here aren’t even willing to bring the car in to check for available updates.

 

[garyenelson]

I’m hoping it will improve a bit after the gearbox service next week.

I would really like to have the TCU and ESM software updates done but unfortunately I don’t know of anywhere in Northern Ireland that can carry them out for me.

It’s looking like a trip to England or Scotland on a boat to get them done as Mercedes here aren’t even willing to bring the car in to check for available updates.

Sorry yes it is the 7G+ with stop/start.

 

[Gazwould]

2007 - 2011 is 5g and 2011 facelift onwards is all stop - start 7g ??

Mines fine , room for improvement but satisfactory .

Gaz your ATF change was early as normally 5 years / 77, 500 so should be sweet .

Cold viscosity of the qualifying ATF should be chosen wisely by observing spec sheets , less centiStokes is better.

 

[Deletedmember130310]

Have you tried this?

You are being redirected...

 

[garyenelson]

2007 - 2011 is 5g and 2011 facelift onwards is all stop - start 7g ??

Mines fine , room for improvement but satisfactory .

Gaz your ATF change was early as normally 5 years / 77, 500 so should be sweet .

Cold viscosity of the qualifying ATF should be chosen wisely by observing spec sheets , less centiStokes is better.

The service schedule for my car on my Mercedes Me Portal shows first one due at 35,000 miles with another due at 77,500 / 5 years and again at 100,000.

Just wish I could get the gearbox shifting as well as the 5g did in my old E Class. It seems the gearbox is ruining what is otherwise a very good car!

 

[garyenelson]

Have you tried this?

You are being redirected...

I have tried this but as far as I’m aware this does not work on the 7G+ Transmission as if you check adaptions with diagnostic equipment before and after there is no change and no difference in how the car drives.

G

 

[Gazwould]

I'm confused , I telephoned two main dealers and two independents and they all said every 5 years or 77.5K for the 7g+ and that's why I walked away from one that had the ATF changed late at year 6 .

 

[John]

Sounds like the interval for the older 5g and 7g gearboxes was followed.

I wonder if because they changed the ATF inline with the intervals for those whether they used the correct fluid too (blue instead of red I believe).

Mine has the 7g+ and it is super smooth all throughout the gears up and down.

 

[garyenelson]

I guess I shall find out next week when they service it. Im sure I'll get a phone call if the fluid in there is red!

Any recommendations for an indie that can carry out the software updates and is located close to ports on mainland for me to travel over at some point?

 

[CowleyStJames]

I've got the 7g+ on my 2011 E250 and it's now as smooth as silk even when cold.
My last main dealer service included gearbox atf change and they updated the software after I mentioned exactly the same thing as your having.
Software upgrade later and it's a totally different gearbox, gear changes are hardly noticeable.
Seeing as mine is the same year as yours, I've a feeling you'd benefit grin the update to.

 

[garyenelson]

I've got the 7g+ on my 2011 E250 and it's now as smooth as silk even when cold.
My last main dealer service included gearbox atf change and they updated the software after I mentioned exactly the same thing as your having.
Software upgrade later and it's a totally different gearbox, gear changes are hardly noticeable.
Seeing as mine is the same year as yours, I've a feeling you'd benefit grin the update to.

That sounds interesting! I just wish Agnew Mercedes of Belfast were more helpful. Do you mind if I ask which dealer carried out the work for you and what they charged?

The way my gearbox is shifting is completely ruining the car for me. If I can't get it resolved I'm afraid I'll just have to chop it in for something else.

G

 

[John]

I guess I shall find out next week when they service it. Im sure I'll get a phone call if the fluid in there is red!

Any recommendations for an indie that can carry out the software updates and is located close to ports on mainland for me to travel over at some point?

It would seem more likely to be software as in my case, I ensured my car was updated prior to me buying it from MB.

I would be surprised if there was red ATF in there!

As for indies - the nearest one I know in that area is in Brum so maybe wait for more recommends... or even start a new post with an appropriate title might be more beneficial.