Hi everyone--

Was hoping to get some advice about how to diagnose and fix a problem I've been having with my 1995 E320 wagon (110k miles). It started about a month ago.

The first time I drive it in the morning, and after work (so basically, whenever the engine is cold), for the first 5 minutes of driving, the engine really struggles at low gears.

I'll press the accelerator down smoothly, but the engine will have quick jolts of power rather than steady acceleration, which bounces you around in the driver's seat a little bit. And it seems to have trouble downshifting; often the tachometer will be up at 4k, 4500 rpm before dropping into second or third. It's just not a smooth ride, and the engine sounds like it's working much more than it should have to. But, after 5 minutes or so, everything works fine.

Any thoughts? As far as I know, the transmission's never been serviced. Many thanks in advance.