Blue Benz

Everyone says that MB doesn't make good manual transmissions. When I ask them why, they never have an answer. So for those of you who have a 6-speed C240 or C230K and have had another car or driven another car with a manual transmission, how does it compare? I really don't think the new 6-speed is bad. I'll go for a test drive some other time, but for now give me your opinions guys.


W211 manual transmission topic

SoCal240/6

every car I've EVER owned has been a manual. BMWs, Porsches, Fiats, VWs, etc.

The MB 6 speed in my C240 is very good. I don't understand the criticism (and believe me, I'd be the first to criticize the car). It shifts very well. Very easy to shift. Has a very nice feel. Maybe not quite as nice a feel as a BMW 5 speed, but pretty close. I have no complaints at all about the 6 speed.

I will say I think the shifting has improved as the car has broken in.

If the criticism has to do with long term reliability (I don't think it does), I don't have any comment, as I obviously haven't had the car that long.

Rick

It's smooth, although it took more breaking in and acclimating that some of the other cars I've owned. To clarify, at first the 2-3 and 4-5 shifts were notchy...but after about 2 weeks, it fealt a lot better...and seems even better now. My Talon was more gated....and the Supra was mushy by comparison...sort of like stirring a bowl of jello.

o2bsurreal

IMHO, the 6-speed is sort of like leather. It was stiff and hard to work with at first, but after 3,000 miles it's has become much smoother, and feels like it was built just for me. You may wish you could hit 60 in 2nd gear like you can in other cars, but then you remember that you can run right past most other cars when they run out of breath at 70.

young

maybe your muscles got acclimated? every, and i mean every article i've read on MB manuals are that are poor or better than before but still not good enough. i don't know why EVO did an article on manuals, automatics, tiptronics and clutchless manuals and it basically said that the MB autos were great but not EVO (i guess that means truly sporty).

Blue Benz

I never knew you couldn't hit 60 in 2nd .

greg230

hehe i guess you dont drive very hard do you blue benz

greg

Flashman

My former car was a Mazda Miata, whose toggle-like shifter is very highly regarded by most auto reviewers. After seven years with the Miata, I found the C230 6-speed to be very nice, smooth, precise, clean, and efficient. It didn't have any negatives. I was even surprised at how short and toggle-like it felt, something I was completely unprepared for originally.

In comparison, though, I am one of the few who DID NOT like the shifter on the new Acura RSX. Its metal-on-metal feel and sound made me feel like someone had forgotten to lubricate something. If my Miata had ever made that horrible noise, I'd be running to put more Red Line oil in it.

I am surprised at the ignorance of the American car reviewers. Just because MB doesn't sell a lot of manuals in the U.S. doesn't mean they are not experienced in making a good manual. They are, after all, a European car maker. Many of the cars they sell in the E.U. are manual and have been since day one.

Blue Benz

I don't drive a W203 6-speed or else i'd know.

shtatc

I have '01 C240 with 6 spd...have nearly 10K miles and am very happy with the shifter....have had no problems at all....the only thing I find awkward is shifting from 5th to 6th....seems somewhat out of place...but it may be only me....anyone else feel that way? The only thing I would be concerned about is long term reliability....since this is the first year they have put a 6 spd in C-class....there are no long term results....

tommy

I agree with you on the 5-6 shift. You can't really just go down; it's kind of like there's a little bump in the middle that you have to get around. But, my attitude on the shifter has really changed since I first got it. You don't have to guide it as much, and it has become second nature. I'd recommend it over the auto, though I'm one of those people who has to have a manny - you know, men. :p

I don't think that the manny in the ccoupe is anything new; isn't it supposed to be the same one that's in the slk? If so, then there are long-term results already. I could be wrong.

MarkL

I agree with most of the views here. I'm very happy with my 6-spd C240. Very positive gear engagement and no vagueness.

Tommy, I've found that I shift to 6th with my hand facing toward the right to help keep the shifter in the rightmost gate. You might be hitting between the middle and right gate (a little toward 4th) when you bring the shifter down to 6th.

Also, my personal opinion is that some of the negative comments, even made earlier by people on this and the old board, are made from a lack of experience w/ manuals. They are either repeating other's remarks or are speaking from having never driven any other manuals. For instance, I don't think anyone can honestly say there is a vagueness or "rubberiness" with the MB unit, and it is not "notchy". There is always a "click" when you engage a gear, and I think some inexperienced folks mistake this for notchiness. Just my $.02 .

C230K

My C230 Coupe get's better with time, guess it needs breaking in.
Now to change the pedals for heel and toe.
Tom

Buellwinkle

Love the 6-speed. Compare to the last manual I had, an '01 Ford F150, it shifts like a race car. I've driven cars like the Subaru WRX that have a better shifter but that doesn't mean that I don't like the way the MB shifts. I usually don't shift through all 6 speeds as they are a few to many for everyday driving. The 2-4-6 shift provides adequate accelleration.

Fuzzo

i must say that i was one of the people who whined about the shifting during the first weeks of ownership but as the car aged it did get better (and I too adapted a bit) granted it could be a whole lot better... but it isnt' as bad as it could be....

the glass is half full.....glass?...what glass.... j/k

Flashman

I test drove both the Subaru WRX and the C230 Sports Coupe on the same day. I found the C230's shifter to be shorter and more precise than the WRX one, definitely more refined feeling. That said, however, the Subaru did have a certain RAW feeling of power (when that turbo kicks in) that is hard to argue with.