New GLE AMG 6.3S gearbox issues so should I buy??

[robm3]

Took a brand new GLE AMG out today, really like it but the gearbox felt like it was from a Massey Fergerson!

When pulling away it slipped and then clunked through the gears, bit like a learner. But the worst thing was when slowing, it dropped so savagely from fourth to third that at one point it actually compression locked and chirped the tyres!
Needless to say it was impossible to drive smoothly and clearly was going to do long term damage.

The dealer principal agreed and the service manager took for a drive and also confirmed it has an issue. He felt it could be rectified with a software update (resetting parameters or something?).

Anyhow the deal I got to is decent enough, naturally I'm concerned about the car itself but figure if they sort it then it's good to go.

What does the PH hive-mind think? Any known gearbox issues? Just stay away and buy a different one? Or trust the dealer and go for it?

I've not signed anything nor exchanged cash so can back away.

[Mosdef]

Hhhmmm, I had similar issues with my E63 AMG - 2013 model with roughly the same engine. The gearbox was quite agricultural as you say, and on my car it slipped completely out of gear on a couple of occasions (I know of at least one other former E63 owner who had the same issue). The fault couldn't be replicated in front of the mechanic and they couldn't find it when it was being serviced. It made me lose faith in the car and I was pleased to have it on a lease.

It wouldn't put me off all other AMG products but I wouldn't have another E63.

[V10 SPM]

The gearbox in my G63 seems very smooth in all 3 modes. The only real issue for me is the delay between pressing the accelerator and actually moving forward. I thought the response from an AMG box would be better.

[Palmball]

I think you'll be fine - I had a GLE63 S coupe for a few weeks when they first came out and really rated it. The gearbox was the weak link in the car but only because it performed just 'OK' in comparison to some of the brilliant gearboxes I've experienced. That said, it's much better than previous iterations of the same 'box (which is Merc's standard 7G rather than the better MCT as fitted to most other AMG's). It certainly didn't demonstrate the characteristics you've mentioned. I sold the car before it lost too much money and bought an E63 S.......

Mosdef said:

Hhhmmm, I had similar issues with my E63 AMG - 2013 model with roughly the same engine. The gearbox was quite agricultural as you say, and on my car it slipped completely out of gear on a couple of occasions (I know of at least one other former E63 owner who had the same issue). The fault couldn't be replicated in front of the mechanic and they couldn't find it when it was being serviced. It made me lose faith in the car and I was pleased to have it on a lease.

It wouldn't put me off all other AMG products but I wouldn't have another E63.

....which appears to have this very gearbox issue. It has lost drive (when pulling away from a standstill) on 3 separate occasions. Impossible to replicate on demand and no faults logged so the dealer are looking at me like I've lost the plot. It hasn't done it for about 6 weeks now so hopefully it's not a regular thing, but I assume thats similar characteristics to yours?

Is the other person you mention Jack? If so, do we know if and how he got it sorted?

[Barry Ashcroft]

I had this on my SLK55 my local dealer did a full adaptive reset which took 2 techs and a laptop reprogramme was perfect after they did that.

[toohuge]

It sounds like a faulty gearbox and could be rectified with a software update / reset.

We had some issues with our gear box (7G +) and our dealer was excellent re. investigating and fixing the issue, all under warranty.

Mercedes design their own gearboxes, so they should be good - if they aren't good, there's something wrong with it.

[popeyewhite]

My 13 plate E63 has just had the gearbox software update completed under warranty. Much smoother now, although there's still a noticeable pause when engaging drive after reverse.

[Mosdef]

Palmball said:

I think you'll be fine - I had a GLE63 S coupe for a few weeks when they first came out and really rated it. The gearbox was the weak link in the car but only because it performed just 'OK' in comparison to some of the brilliant gearboxes I've experienced. That said, it's much better than previous iterations of the same 'box (which is Merc's standard 7G rather than the better MCT as fitted to most other AMG's). It certainly didn't demonstrate the characteristics you've mentioned. I sold the car before it lost too much money and bought an E63 S.......

Mosdef said:

Hhhmmm, I had similar issues with my E63 AMG - 2013 model with roughly the same engine. The gearbox was quite agricultural as you say, and on my car it slipped completely out of gear on a couple of occasions (I know of at least one other former E63 owner who had the same issue). The fault couldn't be replicated in front of the mechanic and they couldn't find it when it was being serviced. It made me lose faith in the car and I was pleased to have it on a lease.

It wouldn't put me off all other AMG products but I wouldn't have another E63.

....which appears to have this very gearbox issue. It has lost drive (when pulling away from a standstill) on 3 separate occasions. Impossible to replicate on demand and no faults logged so the dealer are looking at me like I've lost the plot. It hasn't done it for about 6 weeks now so hopefully it's not a regular thing, but I assume thats similar characteristics to yours?

Is the other person you mention Jack? If so, do we know if and how he got it sorted?

Sorry top hear about your woes, Jack is indeed the other person I was thinking of. I think he got it sorted by selling it and buying a M156 C63 instead!

As ever, it sounds like the level of knowledge and assistance varies from dealer to dealer. If it can be fixed via a software update/reset, that would be great news for owners. The issues you describe sound very similar to mine. I remember a pretty scary incident where I was pulling onto a busy, multi-lane roundabout from a standstill and getting up to about 20mph before it completely lost drive. Very lucky to get away with that one (which happened subsequently).

Hope you get it sorted out. Otherwise, how is the E63S? I didn't have the fancy diff on mine and it became difficult to drive smoothly in slippery conditions. I imagine the E63S is far better in this regard.

The gearbox is definitely the weak link in the car; mine was very slow, often jerky, took ages to engage reverse etc. I wish they'd use the latest ZF.

[robm3]

Okay, the dealer did the reset, or rather reset the parameters. Still not as good as the ZF box in my Jaguar however it's much better.
So I brought the car because frankly the engine sounds awesome!