BadAssC230k

Ok, so I dont have a problem with either transmission. But in looking to the purchase a c230K sedan... What would you preffer?

Auto/Steptronic or 6spd manual?



I know that with manual you get a lil more power and a little better gas milage. But im in a bind and want feedback on this one. Do the 6spd's offer different options/amenities than the auto?

Like i said, either transmission doesn't bother me. But whats your preference? How's the 6spd gearbox/clutch? Smooth?


Id really like info on it. thanks all




one last addition
Does the rev limiter still kick in at 4k?

MiKeSSw203

6spd all the way

Slaptronic is

e1000

I've heard that the 2005+ 6-speed is pretty good. With that said, the 7G compares well against the 6 speed. MB says the 7G is actually quicker than the 6 speed. Fuel mileage should be the same or very similar between the two.

Some people have had problems with the 7G however. It can shift a bit harshly from 2-1.

AdamVax

i would go for the 6speed its a lot more fun to drive....but im all about manual cars so if you like driving stick then for sure go for it.....the clutch is pretty soft but not to soft and i like it and the shifting is smooth

Buellwinkle

I've had 2 W203 (current C class) and 2 W201 (the predecessor to the C class), all manual, all fun to drive. We have an SLK automatic because my daughter didn't want stick but it's her loss.

white_w203

go six speed. the power difference and launch does make a difference. if you dont mind stick when you get into bumper to bumper traffic then it is all good. your brakes wear out faster with automatic too.

JesLet

You daughter is very lucky to drive an SLK... Can I be your son?....Dad..

BadAssC230k

I see the consensus leans towards the the 6spd.
hmm.

benzc230wz

I went with 6 speed manual and I'm glad I did. It's much more fun to drive and it makes the c230 alive compared to 7G auto. But it depends on where you plan to use your car. i.e. driving manual in traffic everyday takes toll on you so you may prefer auto.

Characterizing the '06 shifter... Shifter itself is short and stubby, ergonomically placed where it should be. It is supposed to be a short throw shifter but it's still a bit long for my taste. It requires a decided yank to the left to get it into reverse. It does, however, prevent you from accidentally jamming the shifter to reverse instead of first gear. I suspect it's engineered that way. Or, maybe, it's just because mine is still new. Time will tell if it loosens up a bit. It also feels just a tad rubbery compared to excellent shifting action of, say, honda S2000 or mitsu evo 8/9 which both have a mechanical feel to it, more precise. On the plus side, the clutch action is light and smooth. Close to ideal. Gear ratio is good on all 6 gears. Maybe a little short on first gear. All-in-all, MB shifter is okay. I'd give it 7 out of 10 in my scale. It's not bad but it could be better.

Your decision should depend on how you want to use your car and where.

benzc230wz

One additonal note, accelerator pedal is a bit far from brake pedal. So heel-and-toeing is a bit difficult. That's if you plan to track it or test the next curved offramp.

BadAssC230k

"NO!"
"WHATS WRONG WITH THE DRIFTING MAAAAAAAN!"

benzc230wz

Drifting ain't my style man. Don't get me wrong, it's fun to watch at times. But I dunno, it's too for me. I'd rather hit the apex nice and smooth but fast. Besides, c230 needs more power if you want to drift.

BadAssC230k

well im definetly not keepin it stock! haha. also not drive it AS [i say that lightly] hard as my honda.

Tangerine

i think you should get a manual. one word, "c'mon"

and the coolness factor should persuade u also, its cooler to say yea i got a 6 speed

have you test driven both? i did before i came to my decision of getting a manual. first gear catches quickly and it is indeed short. but other then that nothing wrong with both

the difference between a manual and automatic is i guess the 4 matic since they don't come in manuals (80% sure according to the sales ppl), that and a cool shift knob that has number on it

anonymouse

3 pedals is the only way to go

bender73

big luxury sedan or an SUV = automatic

everything else = manual

just my opinion

benzc230wz

In our case, 4 pedals.

patrick_y

Yes, that's one thing about the C230 is that the fourth pedal (parking brake) is in pedal mode. For manual cars, I personally have a preference for the parking brake to be in the "hand brake" version.

However, the Mercedes C230's 4 cylinder engine is most happy with the manual six speed version, which is very good. If I were to describe it in one phrase, it's a "free spirit."

The Automatic transmission is good, but I don't like the "Shift To Optimum Gear" feature, which automatically shifts down one or more gears (no matter what gear you're in unless it will redline the engine), I like to shift down one by one, hold it to the left to shift to the current gear. All I'm trying to do sometimes is to not allow it to use top gear (limit it), but it always shifts down anyways. For example, sometimes in local traffic, I prefer the gears to be simply from 1-4. When I'm in traffic on the freeway (stop and go), I prefer 2-4.

Either one is good, manual is better, but personally, I want a hand brake instead of a foot brake. If only Mercedes changed this one part, I would've gladly gotten the manual. Naturally, the placement of such a handbrake would sacrifice the glove compartment's capacity.

Tangerine

yep, in the beginning i wasn't use to how you'd have to step on the pedal to turn on the ebrake. but it does free up some room in the armrest area. maybe its a class thing? like how benz driver would rather step on it then yanking the ebrake up. i've grown to like it better then the hand lever, its more unique. i like the ebrake from the new s class where its done electronically.

little ot but my mom got a new 07 camry and the ebrake is the same way but instead of pulling a handle, its just stepping on the pedal again

patrick_y

In the hills of San Francisco, where even one of our members drives a manual C230 in, I would live in fear of stopping on a hill with a foot parking brake.

Normally, if I were driving a traditional manual with a hand brake version of the parking brake, I'd stop, pull the hand brake up, and when it was time to go again, I'd simply go normally with the foot on the clutch and the gas pedal, and once the car starts moving, I'd release the parking brake brake with my hand.

On the Camry, the parking brake is an "on/off" version of the foot version of the parking brake, I wonder if the manual Camrys have a different version (assuming the Camry in your household is an automatic with this version). This is even more difficult than the "pull to release" version we have on our Mercedes.

Personally, I can't wait until Mercedes makes a paddle shifted car with a real clutch manual. I'm not referring to the paddle shifted cars that they currently have, since those still incorporate a torque converter Automatic.

anonymouse

I ignore that lil stumpy pedal-like appendage on the left. It doesn't exist in my world.

BadAssC230k

Well after thinkin it over. Based on clutch jobs, flywheels, etc and the fact that is an Import car, I think im headin with the Steptronic. I know I'll get booed for it. But i think its a matter of pref. As well as sitting in traffic [which i hate. gonna gumball it and ride the median lane one of these days]

I figure with a few basic mods that I'll be doing, my HP/trq should be substantial [at least for me]. Plus another sad thing is the fact that 85% of my driving is all highway Dont really have curvey roads around here much. Cept a few places.

but hey, either way ill be OWNIN A C230K!

BadAssC230k

oh and yeah... the e-brake on the floor is totally SUV-ish. Weird, but whatever. I too prefer the handbrake. floor ebrake feels too much like my old full size GMC

benzc230wz

The problem is... you're constantly reminded of it every time you park. I guess it's one of those benz quirkiness. It peeves me. Don't worry, I've learned to put it in the same bin as door-lock/unlock-button-in-certer-console, turn-signal stalk-position-too-low-and-close-to-cruise-control-stalk, etc. But we're getting OT here. That's for another thread.

iriefreek

Ha ha... yes it's a little odd but it makes the center tunnel look nice and clean without a hand brake sticking up don't ya think?