Ceramic coating my new S205 C250 wagon, how shiny can I get it and is it part of the family yet?

[@myrandomclips6587]

Do a gearbox and throttle reset then just drive it in eco mode and don't touch the gears, it will learn your driving style, it will feel a lot better once it's learned your driving style.

[@seancooke7332]

Three things that I love about my Automatic Audi are : 1. You are never going to stall at a junction or on a hill start. 2. You don't need get back into top gear before you reset the Cruise Control. Just hit resume and the car goes through the gears itself. 3. When you are using manual mode on a hilly or windy section, simply knock it back into auto when you are back on the level and the car will go straight into the appropriate highest gear. When I really want to snick through the gears I simply drive my Wife's 2010 MINI Cooper, it never gets old. Chill back in those big snug chairs and enjoy the smooth Automatic Ride Dude.

[@cornishrider]

Looks stunning what an incredible job! I have no such acceleration issues with my C250 204 Auto. I'd say take it down to Stevensons MB (another videos opportunity!) get them to check/drive the car and if you can drive another for comparison and then if nothing can be done to cure the pick up, sell it now and get a manual Volvo, Jaguar XF sport break or even a Peugeot 508SW (which drives lovely and is very comfortable).

[@skimmingstoness]

I bought a 2018 Polo in 2019 for my mother from a Vauxhall dealer, was £12k and at a year old they offered me a polish and ceramic treatment, said no thanks but the pricelist was hilarious. It was £385 for a Resin Polish and £560 for a ceramic coating. Honestly nearly a grand extra and when I went to pick it up I went around to the workshop and they were just using regular Autoglym, the resin polish you get for a tenner and the ceramic coating that's about £20 a tub.

[@raypayne2228]

A gearbox re-map may be the answer, I’ve just had it done on my Audi S5, it’s become a very clever gearbox, put it in comfort and it’s just a standard auto, go into Dynamic and it’s quite amazing, changes down right on the exact points you need when slowing down or cornering, I’ve done two track days in it since and just left it in auto as it’s so clever. I’m as much a manual fan as anybody but a good auto can be just as good.

[@organiccold]

Yes, it was what a just posted, a gearbox remap will change the car, will bever be a manual but will make it way more enjoyable

[@organiccold]

We had a E class and the gearbox was the same, had a mind of itself and was slooooowwww. We had the gearbox ecu remaped and that was the best thing we done ever. Changed the car completely

[@ebutuoyYT]

The ecu throttle maps can be quite strange, I doubt any mainstream car has a linear map, you can have maps where 50% throttle can only be 25% fuelling etc or worse. A ecu / throttle remap may be the answer.

[@richardhaywoodh]

Great job. I find tar & glue remover after a wash gets rid of the tar spots that made your clay bar brown, have you tried the Miracle Sponges? (one of the few products that does exactly what it claims to do) they are superb, 1,000 times easier & faster to 'clay bar' a car, it looks like a washing up sponge with a waffle finish, do a panel at a time, after dipping in a wash & wax water solution, wipe across paintwork a few times, dry with a microfibre cloth , so easy.

[@duncMAC150]

If you press the unlock and lock button together and hold until the the red-light flashes on the key it resets the key fob. Take off those winter tyres you're mpg will improve you'll be surprised at how much of difference they make.

[@lordbrennanofsealand5772]

I no your still having bonding issues with your Mercedes but I have to say it is a stunning motor car. You have good taste sir.

[@markonmotoring]

Much like yourself I'm struggling with a new daily, five days in. It's audio equipment in my case that prevents a spare wheel being added. It's the world we now live in. I hope the gearbox in yours isn't as bad as the ones I've experienced in Mercedes trucks which will happily leave you dead in the middle of a junction. Clay bar and a ceramic coating or a high quality wax always make a car look.good and though black is notoriously difficult to maintain they do reward your hard work. I think.with a premium product you do expect the best and I fully understand why you may not be fully taken with the new one no Matty how nice it may look.

[@paulhardy2014]

Lovely car. I have the same but the coupe - beautiful drive and still quite economical, I added the CarPlay box, was a bit of a pain with the bermister set up but works well now. Hopefully you’ll grow to love it soon. 😊

[@ashterfadgadget817]

Which car play box did you go for? Thinking of buying one for my c Klasse.

[@paulhardy2014]

@@ashterfadgadget817 Hi I bought it from Ali Express a couple of years ago if I remember correctly it was the NGT system. Hope that helps

[@ashterfadgadget817]

@@paulhardy2014 Thanks!

[@habsom1406]

Wow amazing result Matt! Really do love the styling of these over the C204 and C203, very swish and elegant with just the right suggestion of purpose and speed. A few years back, Mercedes really worked on their paint finish by going to a 7 stage process after the water based fiascos of the early noughties. So the auto remote tail lift doesn't work, but hey it's good exercise for your leg eh!😎

[@robc5955]

Lovely finish, I use auto glam but not the ceramic might give this diamond bride a shot. Surprised re the 4 matic never tried one, assumed it would have creep and instant response, I have dsg and it’s not perfect but I am impressed with the creep and instant response. Re spare tyres, none of the family cars have spares but only mine does mileage, when I first got this one I got 1 blow out in the first month and since had 3 slowish punctures the foam stuff was useless and for the first I had to get rescued and it took 5 hrs utter pita, so I bought a spare and fortunately the insulation box thing came out allowing a full size spare in the octavia. Course since then no puncture.

[@paulie-Gualtieri.]

Did a full service on my DSG Superb Estate, it was smooth and quick before but the new oil and filter has transformed it further, much more quicker and responsive, in sports mode the take off is incredibly rapid.

[@robc5955]

@@paulie-Gualtieri. afraid I have the plebs version the dry clutch 7 speed, mated to 1.6 diesel. However, it is to me anyway incredibly good and gets the absolute most from the 1.6 with high mpg actually achievable easily. My daughter has a polo gti with wet clutch dsg and doesn’t feel much different but pressing on it really pulls and changes so quick.

[@paulie-Gualtieri.]

@@robc5955 The 6 speed wet seems to be the more reliable, out of the two, however it comes down to maintenance and keep on top of things. The oil and filter on a DSG needs to be changed every 40k according to Volkswagen.

[@paultasker7788]

@@robc5955 I'd definitely agree. The alternative with the 1.6 diesel is the 5 speed manual and whilst the shift was lovely, gearing is so long geared it's a pain at urban speeds. 3rd feels like it's strained and 4th like it's bogging down. I now have the DSG with the 1.5 turbo petrol and it works well. A traditional auto is probably smoother at parking speeds especially in reverse. But I've had 60mpg on a runs out of a petrol car and most changes are smooth. Cruises effortlessly in 7th.

[@robc5955]

@@paultasker7788 I was tempted by the 1.5 kinda wish I had but doing 30 odd k a year it made sense to have the diesel, last one tho. I’ve found the trick with reverse is, don’t press the accelerator pedal just wait a painful second for it to start creeping and then it’s smooth, if you need to overcome hill hold press the accelerator very briefly then off again and let it do its thing. I don’t find it jerky in forward gears I’ve no idea if that a petrol diesel thing but anyway just my experience.

[@kristoffer3000]

Learning how the auto box works is half the battle, I've got a w211 E220cdi and if you were to drive it like a manual you'd loathe the gearbox, knowing that you need to load it up a little before you floor it makes a lot of difference, just a tiny touch of throttle will do. Also when to just boot it and when to use kickdown makes a big difference, I can make it feel like the most useful thing in the world that never gets out of its own way or a properly rapid torque 'monster' with just how I use the throttle. I also never leave the normal comfort mode since there's just no point. TLDR; It does get better as you get used to it!

[@yodadg7]

Interesting video thank you. I am new owner to a similar car a C253 2020 GLC 400d 4matic also having gearbox occasional lag/hesitation issues usually at busy roundabouts !!. Previously had an Audi 7 speed dual wet clutch and it was faster. My research is aligned with the other comments here. 1. Gearbox oil and filter change, do again even if it was done before. 2. Make sure you have the latest gearbox software, need main dealer or good independent with Mercedes Star scan tool. 4. Gearbox adaption reset and allow the car to learn your driving style, you can do this yourself without scan tool the procedure is on KZbin. 5. Gearbox/engine remap on a rolling road.

[@furiousdriving]

I spoke to my local main dealer about the software on Friday, they told me there are no updates for this one but will be trying the reset this week

[@fhwolthuis]

The result is amazing Matt! Probably the 4 matic is the reason why it uses more fuel and also they have additional ride height. But I'm sure a good remap of the engine and gearbox will make a lot of difference, and some new springs. Maybe consider getting all season tires too, they are so good nowadays.

[@furiousdriving]

The 4matic does use a bit more, but shouldn't be as much as it is, driving in Eco like an EV with 4% and still averaging under 40 seems wrong!

[@fhwolthuis]

@@furiousdriving did you try the code scanner from your dad on it?

[@Random-nf7qb]

@@furiousdriving Learn mercedes indexes. This is a S205, previously you had a S204

[@Mirage8v]

All seasons? Oh hell no. They are like a swiss pocket knife: mediocre at everything, good at nothing.

[@kristoffer3000]

All seasons are shite in all seasons.

[@poppasmurf]

The music accompanying the video was ideal - the drum thud started the headache, and then that music which was slowed down by an elastic band just to the point where the drag was so noticeable that it almost crawled under the car and died.

[@robshipway2269]

As I have said before, I have a MK8 Honda Civic 1.8 IVTEC with semi-automatic gearbox. Now, you place it in automatic mode and the car just flies. I have driven other automatics, where you put it into drive mode and seem to be waiting 30 seconds to a minute before the car moves. My first drive of an automatic car was a c-Class Mercedes saloon, where you selected drive from a switch on the dashboard. It was okay to drive, but not quick in getting up to speed. I would have other drivers honking their horns at me to say speed up especially from driving from a standstill at traffic lights. I don't have that problem though with my Honda Civic. The only Estate (Tourer) version of the Civic I believe was the MK9, which I think uses the same automatic gearbox as the Honda Jazz (Fit) MK3. If that is the case, then you are better off with driving the manual.

[@charliegardner6804]

Wow great job on a beautiful looking car.

[@paulcraven7462]

You have an amazing car there! I have an S212 auto, I’ve found that using the auto brake hold at junctions gives a more predictable launch into fast traffic. In sport mode just use the paddle to force the car into top gear if you need to. I tend to leave in E mode, if I need to overtake quickly then just floor it till the kickdown switch operates. Are you planning any more jobs on the W123 soon?

[@tonygarlingewarren7456]

I would reduce those tyre pressures! I pumped my w204 to the recommended tyre pressures and the car drove horribly. and in the wet on roundabouts, would step out at the back unexpectedly. reduced mine to 34psi and the car was transformed, handled well and much more predictable in the wet. The gearbox isn't as involving as a manual, but in busy traffic and long runs they are nice..

[@GoldenCroc]

I use tire pressures most english speaking people (uk and us) wouldnt believe it seems, on my cars. Well above 40 psi. Yet, not a single issue. Most of them Rwd and reasonably high powered as well, certainly compared to the vehicles featured on this channel. So I wonder, whats the explanation? Is it as easy as the fact that "All seasons" is an unknown thing in my market, and me always using dedicated rubber?

[@furiousdriving]

Ive found it handles better on the higher PSI, less wallowy for sure

[@jameshunterford4099]

I thought... What the hell is that yellow sticker on the headlight and bumper?... Then I realised it was a reflection of the pressure washer 😂 .... It looks excellent! I love Mercedes and would be very proud if driving that car. Looks sensational at 100k and Black is such a difficult colour to maintain, but you got it sorted. A great car!

[@davidbrown7379]

Absolutely stunning job, what a shine! I can understand not bonding with a car. I have had my current car for just over twelve months and I still don't feel anything for it even though it is a very good car. Maybe the problem is with the price of newer cars now, we are expecting so much and we can easily be disappointed (I'm with you on the no spare wheel 😠)

[@furiousdriving]

You're right, its easy to be impressed with a £500 car as your expectations are low, when its a lot it needs to be perfect!

[@alangodsman338]

I’ve got the C220d estate on a 17 plate. I’m gobsmacked at your critical comments on the auto box. I find the car reacts pulling away from start far better than any automatic I’ve owned in recent years. Yes it refuses to go into top gear until you are doing 70mph but the gearing is so tall it’s very quiet. I’d have to say the auto box is the best I’ve ever owned beating a BMW 3 series I had in the naughties. Comparing it to the DSG box in my Golf the Merc is miles better. The fuel consumption is much poorer than mine, I get around 45-50. I have the sport not the AMG line you have but your tyre pressures sound far too high. Get the local kwik fit to tell you what they should be. Switch back to summer tyres and see if the fuel improves. We have the same engine, just mine is tuned for 170bhp as opposed to about 200 in yours? Leave the car in comfort mode as well. I cannot abide the eco mode, the car idles as soon as you take off the power. I noticed no improvement in fuel in eco mode. It sounds like the gearbox needs reset, it will then learn your style of driving. I hope you fall in love with yours, they are great cars. The ceramic coating looks fab.

[@ashterfadgadget817]

Also, surely those tyres are run flats? No inflation / replacement is needed, just driving at a sane speed, if the car alerts you to this issue. PS I have the almost the same car, although it's a C200 petrol and it's white. Tip with the boot, you just stick your foot under momentarily, don't wave it around. Quick in and out, forward and back motion.

[@richardatkinson5059]

Not sure if asked before - has it had a gearbox service, it’s often overlooked as expensive? Should be every 40k miles. I have a 66plate CLS and it has milky chrome door strips..lots seem the same! Gosh though… polishing (even washing) a black car in hot sun! Brave man… mines same colour!

[@niceviewoverthere4463]

Most people seem to prefer slushboxes which amazes me. Anyhow, you now have a car with very good appearance (for a Merc) so would no doubt sell well. Perhaps though it would be better to get on and fettle that P6 while the weather is still warm. Surely it will be far more rewarding to drive and provide much content for us (I'm selfish).

[@bmwman1981]

With traffic as it is and roads as they are a automatic is a much more pleasant drive then rowing through gears in traffic also most of the manual cars are peasant spec and have no decent extras all high spec cars are all auto now because someone paying a lot of money on a car doesn’t want to have to change gear.

[@piovo1]

Only slushbox I will own are the ZF 8 speeds. Very reliable and quick not like the old 5 and 6 speeds. Or even the mercs 7 and 9 speeds.

[@GoldenCroc]

@@piovo1 Dont think the later zf 6 speeds are that bad in my book, quite good actually and I doubt most people would notice much difference off hand.

[@piovo1]

@@GoldenCroc the later one 6hp28 is not that bad really, but the earlier ones are super slow at changing gears and feels like a cvt.

[@GoldenCroc]

@@piovo1 Perhaps that is true. I had a 5 speed Zf in my old BMW e39 540i, and it wasnt bad at all, most people would have fine with it. Much better than most other brands put in their cars as late as 2005 or so. Have you driven them when they were new/well taken care of? Anyway, except that one, I have also owned cars with the zf6hp28 and zf 8hp and it wasnt a night and day difference (though it was there) any time, in my book.

[@danieleregoli812]

I did the same treatment to my Cayman about two years ago and it still looks amazing. Well done.

[@dainsmart6237]

Dealerships are very good at swapping good stuff for rubish accessories like radios,spare wheels alloy wheels for steel wheels,car mats, rear estate boot covers , nets in the boot to stop things flying around and the biggest theft exterior roof rails for estate cars. 💂‍♀️✌🏻👍🏻♥️🇬🇧. Still looks gorgeous.♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@mikes747]

You either love autos or not! I like them but can totally understand why some people don't! My sister bought an evoque and insisted on getting a manual one as she will not have an automatic under any circumstances! If it's really not for you then move it on and find something that ticks all the boxes! There's nothing worse than driving a car that just doesn't flick your switch.

[@ianmead7712]

Hi I have a Jag xf auto with paddles and don’t experience no more sure with pulling off or changing up or down and the driving modes are really good maybe you have some kind of gearbox issue as I have had 3 Jags and never expected what to our saying and it’s a lovely car and my mpg is about 25% out it’s driving styles I never use eco mode always normal or dynamic mode as I have never noticed any better fuel economy

[@markhood6654]

how quick that shine came on was exceptional

[@worldofrandometry6912]

You've done a lovely job with that detailing. I have an E Class and experience none of that gearbox stuff you talk about with 9 speed. Maybe a reset is in order? I also bought myself a spare wheel which resides happily in the boot as it's the saloon version.

[@iandyson2176]

Beautiful body finish like others have suggested perhaps a remap to address the performance issues and hopefully you'll grow to like it whatever you do avoid any further exposure whatsoever to Love Island

[@dadskillzcars]

That looks amazing Matt, you must be over the moon!!

[@furiousdriving]

I am, it looks incredible up close

[@csquire3]

I think a lot of Mercedes autos start off in second gear so there's always that bit of lag unless you choose 'S' mode when it will start in first. Give it a few months, after a few long traffics jams you might start to appreciate the auto, it took me about 6 months to make the adjustment from manual to auto, I wouldn't go back now.

[@furiousdriving]

its not the acceleration but the delay before it starts to move which is so bad

[@eskieastman2138]

shes a stunner, as other have said the 4matic will be the reason behind the poor mpg unfortunately. my 250d estate is the rwd version and i regularly see 65/70mpg on a run at 68

[@furiousdriving]

It will knock the MPG but really shouldn't make that kind of difference

[@jbconno]

Before you spend anything on modules etc for Android Auto/Apple CarPlay it’s possible it’s already in your system but not activated.

[@furiousdriving]

Serious question, how would you find that out?

[@kathykirby5837]

Very interesting video. Not sure re the backing music though....

[@gmcdon]

In my last job my company car died a few times so drove about 18 different hire vehicles over the space of about 12 months. I had multiple autos and honestly found the merc to be the laggiest and least fun to drive. On the other hand, a Transit Custom auto box just flew. I will say though, if you didn’t like it to start it’s very rare that you grow to like it. Some of those vehicles I felt a bit “meh” about and I felt the same 4k miles later. Whereas some of them were fantastic as soon as I stepped in them. Definitely think you should swap it for a V70 👀

[@BRED510]

I've found with Euro 6 Adblue Diesels they never get near the MPG they state, probably mid 40's is about where it really is. And with the gearbox, I agree they can be frustrating, we had a then new (2015) A Class with the 7sp auto and that was absolutely terrible, but I've since had several VAG DSG's and they are very nice to drive. Also when you're on the motorway can't you manually select the gear you want, does it have paddles?

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

Mercedes is looking good, can testify on ceramic coating on the wheels I bought second hand alloys for my Cactus and the previous owner had just ceramic coated them and boy what a breeze they are to clean. Is it worth speaking to Mr Lloyd to have a shot of his Mercedes again and see how the box compares.

[@furiousdriving]

I mostly drove his in sport, I think its just an auto thing Im prepared to over look on a review but not accept when its my own

[@tommyolsen8224]

LOVE YOUR NEW BENZ 😍😍🔥

[@gleng6812]

On the boot opening with your foot you need to in line with the L on your number plate. Gently kick action under this Letter under the bumper without touching. It will open The gearbox I don't get you are having this Problem I have the same car it's absolutely Bob on I always drive on individual with gearbox and engine in sport and sport steering. On a run I get 55+ mpg and 40 mixed mainly in town.

[@furiousdriving]

Just tried the boot L thing, it didnt work then did, then didnt! There must be a real trick to it!

[@delukxy]

@@furiousdriving I'm not sure what sort of sensor it is but could it just be dirty or has a splash of under seal. Might even have been bumped out of line. Does the gearbox have a service fluid change interval? Could the level be low and so cause the slow response?

[@gleng6812]

@@furiousdriving it took me a while to get used to it and I thought it was not working properly, You need to make sure you are going forward not side ways and relatively quickly. Might be worth getting a gear box service done on it as others said. Honestly for me on mine the kickdown is on the mark absolutely 100 percent and even a quick pull away on a round about same. But I never use eco unless I am on a motorway with cruise on for a long length of time even then I am apprehensive that there is even a benefit above sport 😕 apparently Eco is cut back engine power to improve MPG

[@P4ULC71]

you should look up the how to reset the gearbox. that might help with the slow gearing or you might need to change the ATF and filter for gearbox .)

[@paulie-Gualtieri.]

They say it's sealed for life that's BS, New oil and filter makes all the difference.

[@janeeccleston9196]

We have a 2017 cls diesel automatic…We love it -However,pulling out from country lanes onto the A30 in Cornwall can cause heart flutters 😁

[@bluetownbarry]

Sell it and put us out of our misery.

[@ingopaul67]

A lovely car. The days of manual gearboxes in premium German cars are long gone, surprised you managed to find one for your previous Merc. Its a shame but they are so much better than the 3 speed auto in my Dads Cortina Ghia from the 1980s.

[@paultasker7788]

Looks incredible. Superb shine. I paid for the protective coating (about 300 but managed to haggle and get that in the cars price) done by dealer when I got my car. Also black and I'm not convinced it's anything like the quality of your coating, do these dealer add ons use ceramic? so doing it yourself when you know how seems good. Looked great on purchase but now several months later, bird dirt will typically take a rinse, wait a few minutes then rinse again comes off easy but mud sticks to it like glue!

[@furiousdriving]

It depends what the dealer uses and how long ago-this ceramic costing is a new version that’s been out less than a year, it has the advantage it needs no care and lasts years. If you go to a professional detailer they can redo it for you, with a used car it’s like decorating- it’s all about the prep, so a deep clean is needed first, then the timings are very important with this as it can cure hard before you buff off and then you have a problem! I did the Crown Vic with this and it still rinses clean easily. I’ve only washed it a couple of times since!

[@GoldenCroc]

It came out looking really nice. I have heard of tons of people having problem with the "kick open boot function" with different brands, not just Mercedes. Dont know the cause, maybe just a dirty sensor underneath? Regarding the slow auto when pulling away... setting aside the possibility of anything being wrong with it, cant you just put it in manual mode? Never driven a modern Mercedes, but surely every reasonably modern auto got manual + and - function?

[@furiousdriving]

you can use the paddles but they are attached to the wheel so spin out of reach pulling out of junctions

[@GoldenCroc]

@@furiousdriving Ok, I see. I have driven paddle shifter autos for many years now, and it is possible to get a feeling for where the paddles are even if the steering wheel is at an odd angle compared to the hands, such as in junctions. But it isnt optimal for sure, sometimes I really miss the manual as well... but since I have only bought top spec models with the largest engines since quite some years, the manual is no more.... isnt even availible as an option for my two cars, even though both are older than this Mercedes. Tough luck! Hope you can befriend it better in the future. Cheers.

[@juliancaston9598]

Hi Matt, What a fantastic job of valeting your car. I share your dislike of automatic transmission cars and personally I wouldn't have an automatic if you paid me and the only advantage is in stop start traffic and I've driven DSG & Ford powershift , BW, ZF, CVT and hate them all as in my opinion you don't get the instantaneous response and control as you have with a manual gearbox plus the added complexities if it goes wrong . Bottom line if it doesn't suit you it never will . My advice is get rid.

[@furiousdriving]

I suspect Ill give it a few months and return happy to a manual

[@kevinnye5132]

Wow 😮 Matt your car looks bloody good and who knew you are a Ceramic Professional Polisher 😳 and you did the course , is there no end to your talents mate. Never yet met a car dealer with a heart ❤️ Matt 😢 so bite the bullet and live with the decision.

[@jameswalker7874]

Be interested to hear how the smoke treatment goes long term, normally I'd run a million miles from a smoker's car (even if I'd driven 3 hrs to find it!)...

[@furiousdriving]

Its improved it alot, but still there especially after its been parked closed up in the sun for a few hours

[@jameswalker7874]

@@furiousdriving Not gone yet? Wonder if another application might help things along. Did you do it with the engine and air con on or do you have to do it with everything off?

[@furiousdriving]

@@jameswalker7874 everything on full and recirc so it sucks though the a/c. It’s a load better but wants another blast

[@alexnagel1580]

If you were to be told that, just like the crown-vic, the only gearbox available is the automatic, i am sure that you would still stick with the beautiful estate car that is your c250. especially with that ceramic coating !!

[@furiousdriving]

The Vic is more than a car, its a legend in its own right, which makes it possible to accept its flaws - it has the worst autobox! In this case it WAS auto only or a very basic spec

[@alexnagel1580]

@@furiousdriving I guess that it's a eternal dilemma, either top spec luxury, or manual connection with the car.

[@paultasker7788]

Traditional auto like your Merc shouldn't be laggy in town. I've been in X3 diesel 8 speed that flies off the line. Dual clutch auto like my DSG can be a little laggy if you catch it off guard but stop start doesn't help. Turning that off helps. Wonder if the gearbox issue is actually related to turbo lag/poor torque below 1500rpm in the engine. In a manual you'd dial in say 2000rpm and release clutch to help turbo wake up, DSG will try and do this too, but in torque converter auto it can't do that. So you put your foot down have no power until you get to about 1500rpm. So it's possibly the gearbox/engine combo gearbox to blame. I hired a fiat like this once. Above 1700 rpm it pulled nicely but below that there was absolutely no power at all (felt probably about 10hp). Could you remap the car to get more low down torque? I had 1.6tdi in a Leon 2010 that had very low power below 1500 but a 2017 Leon with the 1.6tdi had no such issue. There was power from 1000rpm.

[@GoldenCroc]

Sounds impossible for Mercedes to screw up the gearbox design/interface to the engine that bad? A cheap car with a cheap and old gearbox its possible, but in this one? Beggers belief. Surely they would just slip the auto clutchpacks/ increase the stall speed? I have been in tons of BMWs with 6 and 8 speed, fron the early 2000s and on, and its a non issue really. Surely Mercedes cant be that much worse?

[@paultasker7788]

@@GoldenCroc BMW's auto is very good. Mercedes used to be famous for autos. Maybe it's a software issue?

[@GoldenCroc]

@@paultasker7788 Seems likely... But I havent driven any modern Mercedes really, so cant say how their gearboxes are.

[@paultasker7788]

@@GoldenCroc neither have I. However I read someone else's comments that says Mercedes auto calibrated to pull away in 2nd. I think that explains it. Fine with a 3.0 perhaps but asking a lot of a 2.0tdi to do that quickly. Also plenty of comments saying it is transformed with a gearbox remap.

[@richardwells1709]

I have same c class estate. Rear wheel drive only The automatic pulls immediately from road junctions. Maybe it is an issue with 4 matic cars My car is averaging 50 mpg on a long run. 45 mpg on shorter journeys. As someone else has said the 4 matic cars are less economical than rear wheel drive models

[@jamesead869]

Hi matt, completely different vehicles i know but how does the auto on this compare to the auto cupra estate you had a while back?

[@furiousdriving]

Cupra was quicker shifting but less smooth and often in the wrong gear for a corner, they were also laggy off the line

[@JW20236]

I like the shape, the gadgets etc. but like you I could not have an automatic. You feel like a passenger in an automatic even if you are driving it lol.

[@furiousdriving]

Me too! Especially when slowing down or into a corner

[@JW20236]

@@furiousdriving Yes! The engaging and enjoyable parts of a drive.

[@greengrass9572]

Sometimes it takes time to bond with a modern car if you're more into the retro stuff. Sometimes the downside is that once you do , you can loose favour with the retro in you collection as I know from experience. It suddenly becomes quite inferior.

[@888johnmac]

the Merc scrubbed up pretty well ... now i'm feeling enough guilt to go wash my daily ( but not so guilty i'll clay bar & ceramic coat it .. lol )

[@RobinCapper]

Had driven manual forever and was contemplating a new(er) car. Best thing I accidentally did was a holiday road trip in a rental car with auto, keyless entry and touch screen inbuilt nav. After a week in it still hated them all so purchased to avoid them.

[@furiousdriving]

Sometimes its good to be reminded why we dont like things

[@CJR_989]

The 4matic cars do run higher ride height I believe. It’s the same as the xdrive BMW’s. Even if M Sport trim the xdrive raises the ride height. Presumably to fit the front drive shafts?

[@elmuppo]

Winter tires? As a swede who drives a C220 2012 , Ive noticed that running winter tires in spring/Summer increase mpg. Also terrible for emergency breaking. Get your summer tires on.

[@grid212]

I’ve got a Volvo with one of those wavey foot opener things. The secret seems to be a ‘swift kick’ rather than a slow wave. But mostly I use the key. I’m assuming the lack of spare wheel space is to do with the 4WD and a bigger differential at the rear? I know my RS has less boot space because of that. Also for the junction lag, would a remap solve that, could be an interesting before and after video?

[@grid212]

Also what about a carbon clean, that might blow away some of the cobwebs. I’ve done that on my LS430 and along with a throttle body clean has made some difference to throttle response and possibly MPG.

[@furiousdriving]

As its RWD as standard I dont think it makes any difference, I think its only possible on base models as the bigger brakes mean the spare needs to be an 18 or 19" so no room. Im going to have to look at a few things to improve it

[@GoldenCroc]

@@furiousdriving Surely the overall wheel diameter isnt larger by more than a percent or two even if the rims are? I.e. the tires of the larger wheeled cars are lower profile? I would be more willing to think its stuff from the equipment / spec you got in it, that takes up space under the boot floor it doesnt in the lower spec ones.

[@Teribus13]

My wife's SEAT with DSG has confirmed for me my dislike of automatics. The DSG in her car is a dry clutch 7-speed version, and it's an utter bag of poo. I can't deny that on normal gentle acceleration, it changes up gears seamlessly and very quickly. However, it will either shoot up through the gears too quickly, leaving the engine labouring, or it'll hold gears far too long putting you up out of the top end of the torque range, there appears to be no happy medium. Another hateful thing about the Dog S🤬🤬t Gearbox is that, unlike every other automatic I've driven which drops into neutral by itself if you're stationary with the handbrake on and no throttle, the DSG stays in gear and tries to engage the clutch and make the car move, so I find myself constantlyputting the selector into neutral when stationary. I also begrudged forking out a 4-figure sum to repair a 50,000 mile gearbox when it exploded due to poor design &/or build quality. The DSG truly is one of the worst gearboxes ever.

[@furiousdriving]

The VAG DSG ruined the Stelio Pass for me!

[@Mirage8v]

Next time you do trim, get a 2 inch pad on a holder that is made for a drill. No waste of material, less mess. ;)

[@furiousdriving]

I couldnt find one in stock locally!

[@pjclark8624]

Gearbox oil change before anything else. It has worked really hard in Just 5 years.

[@AJC508]

Matt - again, 722.6. agricultural, but it just works. Try one, usually behind something a bit ballsy. Alternatively, try a Peugeot 1.6 turbo petrol with the EAT auto. That is a great gearbox with seamless changes. Foot down = shift NOW.

[@Trumpuk]

Looking great Matt.can you now come and do my vectra…🥰😎

[@paultaylor9652]

That's quite a bit of fuel, I'd change the tyres first and put some Michelins on it and see how it goes. Still a beautiful car though, that's a common thing on estate car people take the load cover off especially with dark tints.

[@mickdebrou4567]

How about buying a spare wheel and some kind of suitably posh "sleeve" for it and ratchet strapping it vertically in the load space! Those foam kits are the worst.

[@safetyguy2046]

Gutting when you spend the hard earned on a car and you dnt like it....been there sadly...

[@michaelarchangel1163]

Would Darkside Developments perhaps be able to remap that laggy gearbox for you , to an extent better than the car's own ECU altering things ? I can't imagine any default settings that'd cure a delay when wanting to quickly pull away from give-ways etc. That's just bloody awful. Little wonder you'd have preferred a manual box.

[@thepedlad7946]

Got to be said it is a lovely looking motor

[@peterriggall8409]

With that shine you should be able to make money on it. 😀. If you can’t live with it you can put it on the market and just use it until someone makes you a good offer??????

[@dainsmart6237]

Can't you change the tires so it fills the arches better and get the suspension hardened with new stiffer shock absorbers all round you will feel the benefit straight away 👍🏻♥️🇬🇧✌🏻💂‍♀️

[@furiousdriving]

no, rolling radius would be wrong, not great on these AWD systems

[@andynorton5431]

Happy to watch you wash your car while i haven't washed my new car in months......

[@ebutuoyYT]

How is it in manual mode, still laggy?

[@furiousdriving]

its quick to change but if you hold it in a gear longer than in wants (through a set of curves for example) it just decides you've stopped playing and goes back to auto

[@me-gb2wp]

Excellent video I have the E 220d 60mpg lovely car you have please look into the suspension drop and apple car play I'd love that to be fitted into my E, also where and what is the phone holder frkm

[@furiousdriving]

Phone holder is Amazon, its inductive charging so just drop it in and done! This isn't the same one but very similar amzn.to/3yBU4oj

[@timprice5]

I believe all W213 E classes can have Carplay fitted by a software update. My dads 68 plate E220d estate has it as standard

[@furiousdriving]

@@timprice5 I think these need hardware as well, but I’ll check it out

[@timprice5]

@@furiousdriving I think you are correct for the W205 but definitely worth checking as you say. Factory just feels 'cleaner' to me but I'm a bit of a OEM+ freak 😆

[@srbiggerthan]

You have to bring the S205 to a specialized shop... We cant play Mozart in two days.

[@davidvickers4228]

I like that as a work horse it should do you proud 👌

[@simonhodgetts6530]

Great piece of advertainment there………..your demonstration of the modern ‘features’ (the auto tailgate opener fail was hilarious) has made me even more determined to keep hold of my 11 year old car!

[@furiousdriving]

I cant recommend keeping the old one enough!

[@philbosher6959]

That's a cracking motor, but given the choice I'd have your crown Victoria. 😄

[@williamwales6619]

Personal Choice is . It's ok to try or test drive the big flashy beasties but to actually own one is a whole new ball game. Running costs are normally horrendous and with all the new restrictions that are coming on line it would be hard to justify buying one..

[@vwvento5]

Like many people have said Matt if it’s not in sport mode it won’t pull away in first

[@furiousdriving]

Its not the acceleration, its the delay between pushing the pedal and it actually moving, having to flip up and down the modes at every junction is pretty annoying and defeats the object of having an automatic doesnt it?

[@matthewgodwin3050]

This is one of those strange paradoxes in life. For years Mrs Bucket aspired to owning her very own Mercedes, whereas Mr Furious would probably be happier in her manual SD3 Rover 200. Funny old world. Nice car though Matt. It looks glorious after its wash and brush up.

[@furiousdriving]

Im sure I would, but she was a social climber, I dont care what anyone thinks and just want to play with cars!

[@mrcogginsgarage7062]

Use your fuel up and then give it a good dose of Liqui Moly Diesel fuel treatment that will clean any nasty stuff from the injection system,also check the filters as most MB owners don't like to pay the extra to have them changed,standard dealer services are basic to say the least ,and don't come cheap.

[@mrcogginsgarage7062]

Forgot to say ,great job on the cleaning front looking brilliant Matt.

[@furiousdriving]

Its got a full Merc dealer history, filters done in March according to the service print out

[@mrcogginsgarage7062]

Never hurts to check !...

[@cmartin_ok]

Kick to open the tailgate: this was designed to stop you from getting your hands dirty when opening a dirty tailgate. Now you've ceramic coated the car, it knows you won't get dirty touching it, so it's auto-disabled the function 😉

[@Lasercapri]

First , Amazing Job sir she is looking good , I agree perhaps a gearbox reset will help you driving experience. But hang on I am worried , Did you say you have watched a episode of “ Love Island “ ? I would try NHS111 fella they can help or buy another car 🤣🤣🤣🤣👍

[@furiousdriving]

I didnt see much of it, a couple of minutes of morons by a pool was too much!

[@richfixescars]

Better to use a fallout remover and tar remover than scrub it off with a clay bar. That will just create more scratches. That car is designed to be an auto, enjoy it and the relaxing drive in our traffic jams.

[@furiousdriving]

Ive used TFR and tar remover and they are good as a stage 1 and I treated the Crown Vic that way, but to really get the paint back to new the clay is unbeatable, if it was going to swirl this would have shown on the black

[@chucklberry]

@@furiousdriving No what he means is you should use a fallout remover to remove iron contaminants on the paint and a tar remover before using a claybar. This should be done every time.

[@anakinskywalker4113]

I'm not a massive fan of these new Mercedes designs. You do realize That you could have just remapped your old C250 CDI with a different state of tune for the ECU. Put some different fuel injectors in it as well which would be enough to pass inspection in Australia where I am. I'm not sure if that would make it ULEZ compliant though. I'm not convinced that it was better to sell your old one and buy this one yet!

[@furiousdriving]

It not the jus map, its the addition of Ad-Blue (like trucks) that makes newer diesels compliant in European cities

[@anakinskywalker4113]

@@furiousdriving ahh well I tried. I hate to see such a nice car punted.

[@Breene17]

Love the look of that could be the next daily

[@thesteven292]

You need to do a review on your Mercedes. Thinking off leaving Jaguar and going Mercedes

[@ivanfernyhough3851]

I wouldnt bother nowt beats jags once you had one.especially if its the xj model that you have.

[@giulianomarco]

Mike on DriveTribe is having his BMW V10 estate converted to manual gearbox. Price about £7K... 😳

[@furiousdriving]

I could buy som any cars for that!!

[@julianowens4071]

Such a pretty car

[@eclectarama]

Great that it's impossible for Burt to dond to...

[@danielrussell446]

Matt give it a a chance they are great cars i’ve worked on many of them in the past these people saying about manual cars and the volvo as well it’s not helping it looks brilliant and you’ve worked so hard on it the gearbox learning may be a good place to start maybe talk to a daimler benz specialist

[@leefrancis4846]

I know how you feel about the gearbox, I have a ford focus MK3 with the powershift fake auto gearbox. It's really smooth when your going for it but pulling out and at slow speeds it ruins what should be a really decent car to drive.

[@paultasker7788]

Similar with my VW golf DSG mark 7. Though mostly it's the stop start to blame added to the auto handbrake. By the time it restarts the engine, uses the clutch and disables the brake and engages a gear the gap has gone. I always switch off stop start when I'm near a busy roundabout and sometimes hold the car on the footbrake and disable the auto hand brake. Better remember you've done that when you next park though! Then there's a 3rd challenge. The eco tyres mean above 50 percent throttle you get wheel spin out of junctions in the wet. DSG also a bit jerky when reversing out of a parking space as you'd usually gently feather the clutch to move slowly in a manual. Despite this I'd stick with the auto. In most situations it's nicer than faffing with a clutch and gears

[@EmilysDadd]

But you're comparing Ford's Powersh1t DCT gearbox with Mercs proper slushbox torque converter auto. They're both autos but that all.

[@paultasker7788]

@@EmilysDadd true the Merc should be much smoother at low speeds. I think it's turbo lag you might be experiencing (revs less than 1500) and of course auto has to pull straight from idle revs.

[@GoldenCroc]

@@paultasker7788 Autos can engage at any revs the manufacturer designs into them, doesnt have to be idle.

[@paultasker7788]

@@GoldenCroc I know that applies to DSG/power shift/dual clutch autos but does that also apply to torque converter autos like the Merc which have no clutch?

[@hobgoblinoftruth5815]

Actually never met anyone that hates automatic cars as much as you and you are very likable but it’s so odd very very very odd anything expensive nowadays is automatic as the majority of people really like that kind transmission Including petrol heads your new car is lovely 😊

[@ivanfernyhough3851]

It is a bit weird how much he dislikes auto.i am a true petrol head but give me auto any day,expecially modern ones,they're just so good.i never get any of the hesitation or stumbling issues he is moaning about.hit the pedal and my jags go like stink.i never even bother with sport mode.no need.

[@hobgoblinoftruth5815]

@@ivanfernyhough3851 I couldn’t agree with you more I’m 58 years old and I’ve driven manuals and automatics regularly since I was 17, my 2017 C Class responds immediately I don’t experience any of the issues mentioned automatic gearboxes are so great now 😄