7 speed versus 5 speed auto
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7 speed versus 5 speed auto
Do listmembers feel the 7 speed is a significant improvement over the 5 speed? More hunting of gears? More trouble than it's worth? Interesting why the '06 C230 gets a 7 speed auto while the C280/C350 keep their 5 speed ones?
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From: Canada
C55 AMG, 135i, 911 GT3, GLE43 AMG
The 4 matic C-class cars and C55 AMG keep the old 5 speed automatic transmission.
"Hunting for gears" is not a problem unless the car "feels" like its struggling to the driver. The new 7 speed shifts very smoothly and usually the shifts are not very noticeable to the driver. Nothing wrong with the ability to downshift 2 or more gears at a time to optimize acceleration.
"Hunting for gears" is not a problem unless the car "feels" like its struggling to the driver. The new 7 speed shifts very smoothly and usually the shifts are not very noticeable to the driver. Nothing wrong with the ability to downshift 2 or more gears at a time to optimize acceleration.
Last edited by PC Valkyrie; Aug 21, 2005 at 03:30 PM.
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Originally Posted by amdeutsch
No they don't. 
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FWIW,
I drove an '06 before buying my '05, and I didn't like the 7spd at all. Not so much during accel, but during decel, the shift shock was horrible...even compared to the 5spd...which isn't great either.
Just my .02,
TK
ps. couldn't feel any major diff. in power either...weight must offset it enough to not register on the butt-dyno.
I drove an '06 before buying my '05, and I didn't like the 7spd at all. Not so much during accel, but during decel, the shift shock was horrible...even compared to the 5spd...which isn't great either.
Just my .02,
TK
ps. couldn't feel any major diff. in power either...weight must offset it enough to not register on the butt-dyno.
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From: WOT somewhere in the Bay Area
1951 Caterpiller D6
In the E class, the 7sp. makes a huge difference in accelleration. Even though the W211 is about 300lbs heavier than the W210, it is a quicker car and more fuel efficient too. I do notice the downshifts more but only because there are more of them.
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From: UG
2013 ML63 AMG PP
Overall, 7 spd is superior
The 'shift shock' that many have experienced actually appears to reduce significantly as the mileage accumalates. It is quite noticeable when the car has double or triple digit mileage then slowly subsides thereafter. Every once in a while you do get a bit of it but only from 2 to first. Otherwise its fine. It's very smooth as I can't really tell if I'm in 7th, 6th, 5th, 4th, or even 3rd for that matter. Could have done nicely with the shift buttons behind the steering wheel and the M for the manual program on the shiftgate. I would have loved to hold the gears during some more spirited driving.
The way it engages the next gear during acceleration is quite amazing. There isn't that delay or dip in power delivery like it was in the 5 speed auto. It seems to always be right in the middle of the torque band through each gear. Sort of like a powerful diesel except that it keeps on pushing you through to 6,200/400? and onto the next gear. It always puts a smile on my face that this car doesn't run out of steam at 5,700 to 6,200. In fact it does the opposite and pulls even harder!!
Usually you would expect at least a slight dip in power to the redline and not an increase!!
The way it engages the next gear during acceleration is quite amazing. There isn't that delay or dip in power delivery like it was in the 5 speed auto. It seems to always be right in the middle of the torque band through each gear. Sort of like a powerful diesel except that it keeps on pushing you through to 6,200/400? and onto the next gear. It always puts a smile on my face that this car doesn't run out of steam at 5,700 to 6,200. In fact it does the opposite and pulls even harder!!
Usually you would expect at least a slight dip in power to the redline and not an increase!!
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From: Southern Methodist University
2001 C320 (purple), 2002 BMW 540i
Originally Posted by MB-JIM
One of the 7G incredible advantages over the 5G is that it cuts your passing time from around 35-75 mph in half.
*DROOOOOOL*
yes, worthless post. but i still felt like expressing how I feel about that little tidbit!
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2010 Mercedes C350CDi Elegance - black with almond beige leather / 2008 Yamaha YZF-R1
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From: Orange County, CA
2006 C230 SS, 2006 S500, 2008 CLS550 Lorinser
i LOVE the 7 speed. Even in sport, but especially in comfort the car shifts so smooth if it werent for the engine noise you couldnt even tell when it shifted. I heard there was a problem with shift shock in deceleration but like mentioned only in low miles. My car is getting up there in miles and there is very minimal shift shock on deceleration, if any.
You can also tell the difference IMO at any passing speed, whether its 20-40, 35-75, 40-60, a huge difference over the 5 speed. I love the transmission lol
You can also tell the difference IMO at any passing speed, whether its 20-40, 35-75, 40-60, a huge difference over the 5 speed. I love the transmission lol
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From: Los Angeles, CA
2005 C320 Sport, 2010 C300 Sport
The 7spd is definitely smooth. I've been in the C63 and loved the feel of it every bit (way way way more than the BMW 650i's system that keeps having to be adjusted after it tries to "learn" you).
It's funny that no one mentions the gas savings w/ the 7spd over the 5spd. Guess how fast you go matters more. lol
It's funny that no one mentions the gas savings w/ the 7spd over the 5spd. Guess how fast you go matters more. lol
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From: Saint Augustine, FL
1999 CLK320 (sold), 2007 C230 SS (gone), 2000 Grand Marquis, 2011 CR-Z, stay tuned...
I don't notice any gas savings. I got better mileage in my 5sp CLK 320 than I do now in my 7sp C230. Both great cars, and I love the 7sp, but I don't notice that much of a difference in the transmissions other than the number of gears. I do feel like I have no 1st sometimes, but the shifts (up and down) are the same.
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2006 C350 Sport 6MT
Reset tranny adaptations on the 7G and watch it hammer the gears. No joke when I reset the adaptations I feel it will accelerate 0-60 atleast a second quicker (I know this is not the case but it is very noticeable).
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2010 Mercedes C350CDi Elegance - black with almond beige leather / 2008 Yamaha YZF-R1
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From: Orange County, CA
2006 C230 SS, 2006 S500, 2008 CLS550 Lorinser
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From: NYC
2007 C280 4Matic
How? My trans is a bit sluggish, do I need to go to the dealer?
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From: Saint Augustine, FL
1999 CLK320 (sold), 2007 C230 SS (gone), 2000 Grand Marquis, 2011 CR-Z, stay tuned...
I think there is a difference with engine size... My car is almost immediate (not noticeably longer than my CLK 5g), but the SL (550, both '07s) takes significantly longer than mine. I was actually afraid that it would be the case in my car, after having driven the SL, but was pleasantly surprised.
