Beasley's 2006 C350 6MT Thread, come one, come all!
Tune is definitely worth it. There has been couple of members who had their ECU tuned and their car would go into limp mode when they hopped on the pedal hard...so if you're going to mail your ECU just make sure you inquire about that. Also try to ship it to known tuners. Some of the stories I heard about these shady tuners are shocking.
How does the car feel? Is the clutch strong or soft on the Benz?

Tune is definitely worth it. There has been couple of members who had their ECU tuned and their car would go into limp mode when they hopped on the pedal hard...so if you're going to mail your ECU just make sure you inquire about that. Also try to ship it to known tuners. Some of the stories I heard about these shady tuners are shocking.
How does the car feel? Is the clutch strong or soft on the Benz?
The engine purrs. Has a great sound to it, very throaty & healthy. Pulls suprisingly hard, down low and up high. Very impressed with the 0-60... hell, the 0-80.
Clutch was also a surprise. I expected it to be light and fluffy to pamper the royal feets... wrong. Heavy, a bit springy. I dont mind however, as it translates to a confident clutch grip that contained my 3Krpm feather dumps into successful launches at sub freezing ambient temps. It does make quick, smooth shifts a bit of a challenge, but I assume my brain and foot will find the way to smoother, spirited shifts as time goes on.


As for the wife, I have two words of advice: "Yes, dear."

Good luck with both!
(despite the divorce threats last night haha)Its nice to know I have car as well as man support here

Will keep the mods up to date! Cant wait to get into it... wife has already deemed loud exhaust off limits! I can cave though as the acceleration makes up for lack of audible exhaust note
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
and thanks Frank! Now to get rid of the c230... ugh

It's good to hear this backed up. The W203 BEGS for a manual transmission. I really, really wish I'd gotten one. While you can't base reliability off of two examples there are two members on here, both with 05 230K 6MTs, one with 160k and one with over 200k and never issues with the transmission.
Keep us informed of your likes and dislikes and your experiences with this very rare bird. I said it in your other thread and I'll say it again, the 6MT 350 is probably the rarest and best W203 out there - AMGs included. Three pedals are absolutely necessary for maximum driving satisfaction to me and it always will be. Horsepower does not make up for control.
As for your wife.. if you don't like to deal with women, date men.
And Trey - Eat Me.
It's good to hear this backed up. The W203 BEGS for a manual transmission. I really, really wish I'd gotten one. While you can't base reliability off of two examples there are two members on here, both with 05 230K 6MTs, one with 160k and one with over 200k and never issues with the transmission.
As for Mercedes the 7G is ok and I would prefer a 6MT over that. If the shifts of the 7G were more dead on like the DCT is then I would take the 7G. Slowly with the advancements of automatic transmissions there is really no need for a manual. Plus with these new transmissions you can do everything that a manual can. Launch, rev, shift quicker than a manual
While BMW and others create sport trannies MB just adds more gears

As for Mercedes the 7G is ok and I would prefer a 6MT over that. If the shifts of the 7G were more dead on like the DCT is then I would take the 7G. Slowly with the advancements of automatic transmissions there is really no need for a manual. Plus with these new transmissions you can do everything that a manual can. Launch, rev, shift quicker than a manual
While BMW and others create sport trannies MB just adds more gears

While DCT might be "better," faster, stronger; I would still MUCH rather have a real manual transmission. I want to be in control of the power and feel that mechanical shift. There's nothing like it, it adds to the complete driving experience. The only reason I have an automatic now is because the AMG isn't offered with one and I just can't own a BMW or Audi and I can't afford the insurance on a Vette just yet. Even if I bought a Lamborghini I would tell them where to shove that e-gear crap, I don't want stupid flappy paddles.
Edit:
You will also need SDS that's not ancient.
Last edited by W203E35; Dec 1, 2010 at 07:21 AM.







