I was under the impression that it did. This is from an NRMA Review of the 2001 LS430:
"The five-speed adaptive automatic transmission is very well matched to the engine, providing smooth, positive changes and kicking down readily when required." I thought it had been continued through the years. I know the new ES330 has an Adaptive Transmission as it has been discussed extensively. My new LS430 has a very good response in the Normal Mode (not Power Mode). It is every bit as responsive as the Mercedes E-430 that it replaces.
What is the "shift pattern upgrade/update???

 

RJM - If the LS has the adaptive feature you would think they would talk about it when you highlight the "6 speed transmission" section of the LS website. Not a single mention.

There was a TSB that the dealer can look up for you regarding shift performance. It is VIN based - meaning that they look up your car and see if you qualify. It took about an hour to do. Personally all I think they did was reset the ECU and see if I noticed anything.

I typically drive my LS aggressively when it's safe so if this tranny has learned my driving habits it still needs to go to school! This car would be a blast with a 6 speed manual!

Bruce

 

I have never been overly concerned whether it does or does not have the Adaptive Transmission because I have been very pleased with it's performance to-date. I guess I thought that it did because the ES330 and other current models have it. I would be very interested in hearing how you compare your LS430 with your previous E-500? I upgraded from a Mercedes E-430 that I had for 5 years and have been very happy with the upgrade. Performance, driveability and reliability have all been better in my experience. Just wondering how you would compare the cars and what your experience has been?

 

I have a CLK430 and I'd take the tranny in the LS over the MB. The main thing I HATE about the MB tranny is that you have to fill out an application, mail it to MB North America, they forward it to MB HQ in Germany, MB Germany calls a committee meeting where they vote to allow your transmission to shift to the next gear, then the shift happens. Seriously, it seems that shifts take just about that long after you've flicked the lever under full throttle.

For my tastes, I'd prefer that the LS would start in 1st gear and stay in gears a little longer under moderate throttle. However, the LS tranny does pretty much a perfect job of what it was programmed to do -- shift VERY smoothly under the driving conditions that 99% of customers bought the car for. I wonder if there are any aftermarket piggy-back units to re-program the shifts -- like the V-TEC controllers, ignition timing controllers, fuel controllers, etc? I'm a little surprised that HKS, GReddy, Fields, or the like haven't developed such a device, but I suppose not -- otherwise it'd be well known.

 

Let's just say I love the LS430..

Switch suspension to Sport
Switch from Normal to POWER mode
Throw the tranny into Sport

And I'm doing less than 6 second 0-60's easily.

If I really want to have fun, I turn of TC.

 

you mean turn off AC?

 

No, TC.

I find that turning on or off the AC doesn't really make a difference.

However with Traction Control off, I can slide around the corners.