I recently bought this 94 C280 in nice condition and 50,000 miles. I noticed in the morning it shifts from 1-2 quickly but from 2-3 it wants to go 3 or 4 blocks before it shifts into 3. With a 5 minute warm up in the morning it will shift fine. After having driven it for a few minutes it shifts fine. I tried getting on it to get it to shift 2-3 and it worked but it also shifted to 4 immediately. The fluid is clean and up to the proper level. Anyone have a clue on this problem? Fez

 

I just purchased a 1995 C280 and see exactly the same shifting delay from 2-3 and was concerned also. I talked to a dealer and he told me that this is normal. It's what they called 'delay shifting.' (Boy, they're tricky with the nomenclature). Anyway, the reason is to have the engine rev a little higher when it's cold to warm up the oxygen sensor. Don't worry about it (was what I was told).