joshman

Got into my 2002 C230 coupe this morning and had no problems. It's been pretty cold this past week in Saint Louis so I've had the normal difficulty getting into second gear before it has warmed up but nothing else. Well I get on the highway and I was able to switch between gears without a problem till I try to go to sixth gear...nothing. It is as if sixth gear never existed, just completely blocked off. All other gears feel completely fine.

It is unfortunate that my first post here I am asking for help, but this has caught me by suprise. I've never had problems before. I just purchased the car about 6 months ago.

Thanks for any help.

noreaga0221

But it will go into gear parked with the engine off? Sounds like master or slave could be starting to leak. Try shifting without a clutch to see if it goes in. It can be done but letting off the gas, tugging the shifter out of 5th and pressing into 6th. It should slide it once the rpms drop. You might want to try going into 2nd gear first without using the clutch just to know what to expect.

joshman

It will not go into sixth park either. It simply feels like sixth gear is gone, I can't feel it at all. It travels through all the other gears without a problem. I was thinking it could be my slave cylinder as well but I'm not really sure.

KIRA

hmm wtf?? i got C230 coupe and got only 5 gears

Saprissa

what sixth gear ???

MHPHOCKEY

That might just be the problem.

I have that problem, but with 8th

rlee02135

i think he has a manual 6 speed...

Boom vang

Not sure what the rest of you (Brabus_x2,Saprissa) are talking about. If you read Joshman's discription he definately has a standard transmission, if it an auto then it is a 5 speed

From Motortrend:

Powering the 2002 C230 sports coupe is a new version of the 2.3 liter, supercharged, DOHC, 16-valve in-line 4 cylinder used in the SLK roadster. This "kompressor" engine with its Roots- type supercharger, pumps out 192 horsepower and 200 pound-feet of torque. Mated to the standard 6-speed manual transmission, a 5-speed "Touchshift" automatic is optional, we hit 60 in 7.4 seconds, and on through the quarter mile in 15.6 seconds at 92 mph.

Saprissa

we know that....
it's just a little 6-speed manual vs 5-speed auto sarcasm...

been a favorite topic around here since 2002 !

Outland

Sure that wasn't Car and Driver? Motortrend's C230 at the COY testing yielded 7.1 to sixty, and 15.3 in the 1/4 mile.

Boom vang

sorry my mistake, however we were both wrong, it was Motorweek (PBS show)

http://www.mpt.org/motorweek/reviews/rt2106a.shtml

KIRA

i think 0-60 is a tiny little bit faster than 7.2 second...

god i need pulley, i heard for our engine with pulley it gonna pull HARD

joshman

As someone mentioned earlier, I do have a Six speed manual transmission. I personally wouldn't buy a vehicle with an automatic trans...but that is getting more difficult lately.

It took me a while to find this car because it is near impossible to find a six speed c230k coupe with leather interior. I just can't look at that fugly cloth interior...reminds me of the old neons or something.

So no ideas? I would hate to have to drop the trans if it is something simple. I guess it will give me a reason to swap out the clutch and flywheel.

alpinweiss

Some of the early 6-speed transmissions with the dog-leg reverse (pull to the left and back for reverse) had some durability issues. I understand the MB recommended repair is to replace the transmission with a factory rebuilt unit; internal repair is not recommended.

Before you condemn the transmission, try changing the transmission oil. It is available through your MB dealer. The oil is expensive (about $30 per liter), but it is cheaper than a transmission job, and it might fix your problem.

Drain your old oil into a clear container. Check for metal and contaminants. If the oil is discolored (very dark) and has a lot of metal particles in it, you could be in the market for a new transmission. It may also have a burned smell to it.

Despite some problems with this particular transmission, I still think manual trannys are better and more durable than automatics. The newer style 6-speed (reverse is to the left and forward) seems to be holding up better than the older style.

joshman

Thanks for the info. Well luckily we are finally having some decent weather here in St. Louis so a trans fluid change won't be a problem.

If I do have to replace the trans is the dealership the only way to get a new one? You mentioned a newer six speed trans, would that be compatible with my m111 engine?

Thanks,
Joshua

Outland

There's nothing different on the newer transmissions except the shifter barrel. The real change is the single rod shifter...no more cables.