German automaker, Mercedes-Benz, produced the E Class W211 from 2002 up until 2009 when the W212 was introduced. Available in both a sedan and estate model, the W211 exemplified luxury and sport in a four door sedan. Despite the popularity of the W211, there have been some issues reported by Mercedes-Benz drivers that have required repairs.
Some owners of the W211 have experienced a jerking of the transmission when shifting between first and second gears. This problem seems to occur from a cold start and is not apparent once the car has been running for a while. Other drivers have experienced similar problems and have noted that the gearshift was a bit stiff upon starting the vehicle. This could be a problem with the transmission and the situation should be closely monitored.
Some drivers who have experienced this problem with the stiff gearbox were able to remedy the situation by resetting the engine control unit, known also as the ECU. Other drivers recommend starting the M211 in second gear as opposed to first, noting that starting in first gear will usually result in a jolt when shifting from first to second. These seem like simple and inexpensive fixes and hopefully they are.
If you are the owner of a Mercedes-Benz W211 and are experiencing a jerking or abrupt shift between 1st and 2nd gears, or if the gear shift seems to be stiff and a simple remedy does alleviate the problem, you should take your car to an independent Mercedes-Benz repair specialist for diagnosis and repair.
Search for a local, independent Mercedes-Benz repair shop with Mercedes-Benz mechanics that have dealer-level expertise at a fraction of the expense.