Squish

Hey guys,

I'm going to be purchasing a C230K soon (trying to hold-out until the Bi-Xeons are available!!). Originally, I definitely wanted the 6-speed manual, but after reading some posts here and other places I'm not too sure. For those with the 6-speed, what are your thoughts on the shifting. I can drive a stick no problem, but have never owned one (I have always been talked out of it by family and girlfriends). I do about 50/50 city/highway, the city driving is mostly on parkways etc., not downtown rush hour stuff. Basically, what's your opinion. I've done the test drive thing, but I can't really get a feel for a car unless its long term usage (ie I'd have to buy the car first).

Thanks.

preyx

Yeah, performance issues aren't really that much of a problem. Some car reviews give similar 0-60 and 1/4 mile times between the two, but I'd prefer stick now that I go back and look at it. I had never learned how to drive stick shift until recenly, and there's just something about automatics now that makes me wish I had a stick-shift. If you aren't talked out of it this time, go for the stick.

vadim

Stick!!! I absolutely love mine (C7). I've never owned/driven a manual Honda, which the C Coupe's shifter is routinely compared to and which is presented as an example of what a good shifter is supposed to be like - but I have owned 2 manual bimmers. Comparing to those, mine is in no way inferior [to the contrary, I still remember how hard if was sometimes to put the bimmer into 1st in winter - literally had to slam it in gear].

It took a while for the tranny (and the clutch) to loosen up; now, with nearly 7000mi on the clock, it is a pleasure to drive.

MB-BOB

Go back to the dealer and test drive again, and again, and again, if necessary. Only you can decide if you want the stick or auto. Opinions on both sides of the fence here will not help you decide. They will only frustrate you.

MB makes some of the most efficient autos in the business (not much difference in times between auto and stick, compared to others) That makes the choice difficult, but you have to be happy "long term" so do all the test driving you can now, before you plop down your money...

whitecar2003

I'll chime in with the masses....Get the stick!

Only downfall I've found with the 3-previous sticks I've owned was at trade in time. To the uneducated (lazy) salesman, a stick has a horrible residual. Unfortunetly you have to find someone who realizes that for a performance car, people actually want a stick and will buy them. The practical side of this is that everyone CAN drive an auto and less than 1/4 of the people in this country are able to or want to drive a manual. Used car managers hate to put something on their lot that 75% of his customers can't drive.

hokusbenz

i agree with MB- BOB, you have to decide for yourself... all that aside get the stick, its the only way to drive! hehehe when i drive an auto im always lookin for something else to do

AndrewK

i get the same feeling as hokus does, i feel like i'm not doing anything when I drive an auto. its really boring! The 6-speed is no BMW tranny but its certainly not bad.

grn300m

Mine is an auto. I used to only drive sticks, but converted in mid 90's when I decided I was driving way to aggressivly with the 5 speeds (poor gas mileage, and cops everywhere). I have grown-up some since and now rather enjoy hands free driving. When I get the itch, I drop it into manual mode, although the couple in auto/manual mode is not all that great, there is too much delay in the up shifts. My 300M shifts instantly in manual mode which is much more exciting. One thing I really like on the C230 auto is the 'coasting mode'. I have noticed that when your foot is off the gas, the car actually slows on it's own and downshifts to a crawl, even a stop. This is nice when approaching stop lights as the lead car or driving down a steep 25mph hill. The C230 will hold under 25 on the hill, whereas my 300m would hit 50 near the bottom driven the same way. I think that is way to cool and will save on the brake pads.

raymond

I had an auto C230K, bought specifically because 80% of its use was in D/FW traffic. If I bought one again, I would definitely get the manual, because I don't travel during peak hours anymore.

I loaned my truck to a friend about 2 weeks ago, and they left me a Ford Escort manual to use, and I had a lot of fun with the stick even in that POS.

session

let's face it, a stick is more fun. i wish i had a manual tranny car to play around with.

however, the automatic in this car is one of the smoothest i've ever driven. there's no gear hunting, there's no rough jerkiness when it downshifts when braking hard, and if you hold the throttle down it'll definitely stay in gear til the rev limiter kicks in, giving you all the power throughout the power band.

no matter which tranny you get, make sure you get the C7 package.

peet

My $.02 worth... I came off a 98 BMW M3. 5 speed and lots of *****. Going to the 230K my impressions of driving the stick...

1) clutch sucks. absotively posolutely.

2) the manual shift system seemed to give the ipression that it was put there purely to save cost. In otherwords, it didn't bring anything to the party. No sporty feel, no (seeming) significant speediness, nothing. Just cheapness.

3) the adaptive auto is pretty slick. Smooth shifts, accels when you want and if you need to 'drop a gear' to accelerate, you still can, just kick it to the left and you're down a gear in manu-matic mode.

Now, the disclaimers... the stick I drove was a 2003 - maybe a 2002 it was a different deal - flatter curve, slightly better torque etc. No matter what, the 1" (seeming) clutch travel sucked.

I never thought I'd endorse an automatic. In fact, when the time comes to buy my next car, I think I will be right back to stick. I hate slush boxes. But in this case, it seemed to be a pure money saver with no soul.

[flame suit on!]



Peet

London AMG

About the only car that I would consider buying with an automatic transmission would be a Mercedes Benz,however given the choice,as I had,I would have preference for the Manual....in my C230 Coupe (inc.evo pack-short shift)I do find the 1st to 2nd change notchy though it seems to be getting easier....or I'm getting much more used to it ......BTW I extensively test drove 6 speed manual,5 speed automatic and 6 speed sequentronic before deciding.

mdp c230k

STICK! Enough said.

Deb

Squish,
All of my cars have been manuals. Being able to shift gears gives an added dimension to driving that I really like. I feel much more in control of the car. I think the c coupe's 6 speed is great, but it does take some getting used to. Some people find the one/two shift notchy, and yes, it is a bit clunky. I don't have a problem with that. I've got about 6000 miles on the car and enjoy it more each time I drive it.
I've never owned an automatic, but I do drive one at work. And yes, there are conveniences sometimes to driving an auto shift. If you spend much time driving in slow, heavy traffic, an automatic might be an advantage. I doubt if it is possible to rent one for a day or two, that is what I try to do when testing new models. You really need to drive both as much as you can. Only you can decide. Good luck. It's a great car!
Deb

Outland

6Speed all the way! But...you have to get the C7 package..something about the normal shifter makes the experience less enjoyable...shifter is too long...and it takes too much effort. The C7 unit is different, at least it feels that way to me.

The Auto is OK, but I think the auto takes too much of the edge off the performance, something that the C230K could use a bit more of anyway I drove all three (C7 manual, base manual, and the auto), and the C7 was a real joy to drive. Just as good or better than any of the other cars I drove prior to getting the MB.

whitecar2003

Is there a way to install the short throw shifter in a coupe w/o the C7 package? I wanted the 16's for longer wear and smoother ride over the bumps but would love to add the short shifter (if my car ever shows up!!!)

tommy

Let me bring this one back from the dead:

STFF!

Bos had it done; he had a whole thread on it, with tons of detail.

I was going to try to pick up on a project that he was looking into - having UUC do a short shift kit for our cars. I'll look into it in the next couple of days, and post sumthin.

Lynn

Yes, there is. The C7 shifter will cost about $450 plus installation. Please see this