C43 AMG Gearbox & Gear changes...

[McGreggor]

Hi,

After having a C43 for about a week now, and doing alot of miles in it, I can't say i'm too impressed with the gearbox. My C36 definately has a quicker change, and the c43 seems positivly sluggish in changing from 1st to 2nd compared. I know the box in the c43 is different to that in the c36, I'd just like to be reassured that its normal. The gearchange from 1st to 2nd is smooth and quick enough at most speeds, but when i'm booting it, it does seem to lurch just a little, and take just a little too long to change. I could be wrong, and just too used to the c36?

I've also read a few posts about cars having the gearbox software settings set to a less aggressive setting, but im not sure if this was just on american cars?

 

[Alps]

you can reset the gearbox controller, then it will re-learn your driving style!, my mechanic resets my stuff, but search and theres a thread abt it somewhere!

 

[C240Sport97]

try changing the gearbox oil (including the torque converter, the gasket, the filter and the sump washer) .. many here have done that and the changes have improved. This has worked for me. I have C240 Sport W202

 

[Mambo]

Changing the oil will make things a bit better but mine used to redline in first (pause for about 2 secs) before shifting to second. Seemed to fix itself when my MAF was changed....

 

[McGreggor]

Changing the oil will make things a bit better but mine used to redline in first (pause for about 2 secs) before shifting to second. Seemed to fix itself when my MAF was changed....

Interesting... Anything else I could look out for to indicate the MAF sensor is the problem? How about on the Climate control readout after holding the rest button for 5secs, does that not tell you?

 

[GrahamC230K]

Interesting... Anything else I could look out for to indicate the MAF sensor is the problem? How about on the Climate control readout after holding the rest button for 5secs, does that not tell you?

I think you have 2 x MAS on a C43.

 

[Mambo]

Interesting... Anything else I could look out for to indicate the MAF sensor is the problem? How about on the Climate control readout after holding the rest button for 5secs, does that not tell you?

How old is the car and whats the mileage? I've heard MAFs only last for about three years anyway. Dont you just love Mercedes Engineering!! Mine made itself apparent by a sudden drop in performance although once it was replaced I knew it had been duff since I got the car. Car felt like it had about an extra 100 bhp once it had been changed, no pauses between gear changes just a solid wall of torque :bannana:

 

[McGreggor]

How old is the car and whats the mileage? I've heard MAFs only last for about three years anyway. Dont you just love Mercedes Engineering!! Mine made itself apparent by a sudden drop in performance although once it was replaced I knew it had been duff since I got the car. Car felt like it had about an extra 100 bhp once it had been changed, no pauses between gear changes just a solid wall of torque :bannana:

The car is a 1998, 41,000 miles and it would appear from the service history that less than 250miles have been done in the last year before I bought the car last week, perhaps all that standing around hasn't done it any good?

 

[Mambo]

The car is a 1998, 41,000 miles and it would appear from the service history that less than 250miles have been done in the last year before I bought the car last week, perhaps all that standing around hasn't done it any good?

Mines a '99 and the MAF went at 32k.....Get it hooked up to a merc diagnostics box should tell you what the score is...

 

[McGreggor]

Gonna have it checked out tomorrow, as i have the day off work! yay! :bannana:

 

[Anders]

Changing the oil will make things a bit better but mine used to redline in first (pause for about 2 secs) before shifting to second. Seemed to fix itself when my MAF was changed....

A bit worried now! As from an old thread, mine redlines in first, hits the limiter and then it shifts to second, but recent experiments shows that it does the same in second and third.

The car fells absolutely fit for the 306 bhp, so it seems to me to be a gearbox glitch, but everything else is smooth, up and down changes, just not when redlining it?

 

[Mambo]

Mine felt like it had the full 306bhp too (suppose I didnt really know what 306bhp was 'supposed' to feel like!), but once the MAF was changed I realised that I never had full power. I'd get it checked out if I were you.....

 

[McGreggor]

Finally had it checked today, and sure enough the MAF needs changing. I took it the Haynes Auto Technics in Worthing who had been recommended to me on another thread. They seems to know their onions, but did decide to charge me £65 for them to do a quick road test and plug it into their computer for a printout!

Just sourcing the part now from mercman... hopefully they have a new one rather than a second hand one. Although I may try my housemate mechanics suggestion of boiling my one in water to get the gunk out.

This car already feels quicker than my old C36, if i'm missing a chunk of power I can't wait to see what it can really do!

 

[McGreggor]

Changed the MAS today, ironed out all the bugs I had witht he car, no pauses between gear changes just a solid wall of torque! Oh yeah baby! :bannana:

I dont like to blow my own trumpet, but this is a seriously fast car now its going properly. I'm convinced it's modified as I was lead to belive and can say it would have my old C36 for breakfast...

 

[Alps]

i`ll race ya im sure my C36 would have something to say abt that!

hehe

 

[McGreggor]

i`ll race ya im sure my C36 would have something to say abt that!

hehe

yeah yeah! lol

Is yours moddified too?

By the sounds of it your big heavy stereo will slow u down

 

[Alps]

hehe,

no stereo at the moment, blown my sub amp so the cars alot lighter at the moment!

no mods really regarding performance apart from the high flow CATS and stainless custom middle section.

 

[grasmere]

DOH

I've searched the forum but cant find the pictures somoene kindly put up recently of a mass air sensor MAS.

Can anyone help please?

 

[Anders]

Changed the MAS today, ironed out all the bugs I had witht he car, no pauses between gear changes just a solid wall of torque! Oh yeah baby! :bannana:

With reference to my gearbox behaviour above, I am afraid I might be in for a MAF change too. How was it diagnosed, how many MAFs are there (1 or 2?) and if you don't mind, how much did it cost to replace?