Purchased a 2005 w/ 90k miles back in 2010.
I noticed it shifted a bit harsh, or rather I could feel it shift. But coming from a mercedes I think that may be normal.

Within about 10k miles it started getting worse, So I started taking action, replacing mounts, installing a transmission cooler, inline filter, replacing switches, multiple redline flushes.

The car was shuttering badly from 1 > 2 and 2 > 3, sometimes a hard jerk. I was talking with transmission shops getting quotes for a rebuild, so when the transmission failed I would know where the car was going. I added road side assistance to my insurance policy, I was sure the thing was on the way out.

5 years and 80k miles later the car shifts the best it has since I have owned it. I'd say at around 140k, the bad shutters went away. Now I can feel the shifts, but it feels natural.

I clawed through this forum for solutions at the time, and it seems something may have worked. Knock on wood.

 

awesome!! here's to 80k more miles!

 

Amazing what happens when you actually perform the preventative maintenance. Most people dont get that lucky though.