2.5 DSE Auto Gearbox unresponsiveness problem ?

HI Canyon - I don't think my problem is similar to the one you are describing as there is definitely low down power in my engine.

I can tell this when the torque converter locks out in 4th (Dave Ashcroft says this acts like a virtual 5th gear) then it pulls pretty well. My power comes in round 1500 instead of the original 2200.

Canyon,

The MAF can cause problems without failing completely, my friend had a tiny flat spot on his car, got a non genuine MAF which made the car ten times worse, then was told there was nothing wrong with that replacement so had to go buy a genuine one and the car ran perfect after that.

Wouldn't it be great if you could just put the 4.0 V8 ECU onto a chipped diesel autobox and that would alter the shift patterns to suit? Looking in the workshop manual it seems the computer says no though, because the format of the data exchange is different between the V8s and the diesel ECUs.

Never mind - Thanks for that anyway lanmjdun

UPDATE
Went for long drive this weekend up to Leeds- actually the 4th gear is engaging and sits at 2600rpm at 70mph. I managed to get a decent 32mpg- with a full load luggage, kids and wife.
I noticed that it really is sensitive to even the slightest incline and it struggles to maintain a constant speed- nevertheless- i keep forgetting it is as heavy as a tank!
The gears shift on when moderately pressing the loud pedal are good, but noticeable- 1 to 2 is a bit clunky, holds in 2 and 3 for a bit longer and changes into 4th about 48mph....now one thing I never noticed before was at around 50-55mph I can hear this droning noise- it is in 4th gear soon as i hit 56mph it vanishes and progresses to 70 and beyond with good power delivery. Feels like a flat spot with a weird noise...

Noting the comments about flat spots is this the speed range it happens? I have a Pierburg MAF which I think is still the original as it has a 98 date stamp on it. How often does the MAF need to be changed?