Bought a beautiful 95 E320 Coupe a week ago. 92,000 miles and perfect. It's my first Merc and the only thing puzzling is that it takes about a mile when cold to shift from first gear. A local friend with a 93 SL300 (31,000 miles) has the same 'problem'. Any ideas or suggestions? Thanks

 

you mean temperature related shift problem? ... it can't be. try giving us another observation.

*check control pressure cable and adjust if necessary.
*remove kickdown solenoid valve and check needle valve for dirt contamination and freedom of movement.
other things will be difficult for you to check like governor pressure, control pressure regulating valve, and system pressure. there is a modulating vacuum box where you can adjust the shifting.

if you don't understand any of those, just ask again. i am just doing this to get three stars in posting

 

Hey, thanks for this. I do mean temp related shift problem, I suppose. As soon as it reaches 80 on the guage, it's fine. Alternatively, restarting a warm engine is okay. Maybe it has something to do with the car being more or less unused for some time - possibly a few months. It has that 'feel' about it (now going rapidly - I just can't stop driving it!). Again, thanks.

 

i see, it's the governor pressure then.

seems giving a little leakage on the 1-2 shift command valve on the valve body.

try replacing the automatic transmission fluid (ATF). drain the torque converter too so you have a fresh oil inside with improved viscosity. the transmission oil filter needs to be replaced too in doing this.

happy driving.