brianhn1

Is there a C320K with a 6-speed manual out there? I'm thinking one of those would out perform a C32 AMG and be more fun to drive since it has a manual.

Lynn

There is no such thing as a C320k coupe. All C320 coupes are naturally aspirated so there is no "k". Six speed C320 coupes do exist but are still rare. They won't see anything of the C32 AMG except taillights. A C320 has 215hp and a C32 AMG has 349hp.

Tai230K

i wonder will they ever AMG the c-coupe and bring it to US.... doesn't the euro AMG C-coupe run on diesel??

peet

For that matter wonder if they'll ever put a proper 6 speed transmission into the C32. As is it is a wonderful car (with a crappy transmission).

Peet

BlackC230Coupe

I belive there are 2 models, the non diesel has the identical C32 engine.

Matt_NH

I want a C430 6sp!
That would be loads of fun.
Matt

brianhn1

I know that they have 6 speed C320 coupes and sedans, but I am wondering if anyone has one and has put a Kleemann or a Renntech upgrade on theirs.

CRB

I wrote Kleemann USA an e-mail a while back and they said the Getrag 6-speed is up to the task.

Personally, I'm not so sure about the clutch and the differential. I'm pretty sure that even a Kleemann C320K with a 6-speed wouldn't beat a factory C32 because of the 7 psi boost difference.

When Car and Driver tested a Kleemann C320K automatic it was about one second slower than a factory C32 AMG. So, I seriously doubt that the manual would shave more than a couple tens (especially with that stock clutch).

Lynn

Kleemann will soon be offering a lightened flywheel and high performance clutch package. Brandon says it will handle 350hp and last a long time. The differential should not be a problem. I think it is the same one as used in the C32 and C30.

TNblkc230wz

If the differential will hold up to a C30 CDI, it will handle any gas engine, except, maybe a twin turbo 6.0L

Outland

Yeah, the auto trans only has got to go if MB expects some of us to stay with the brand...I won't be buying an automatic for my personal transportation.

FrankW

yup, the AMG series C30 CDI AMG and the AMG special C32 AMG sports coupe.

the C30 CDI AMG is availble in both coupe and sedan form.

as for now MB itself doesn't have a good manual transmission and plus 90% of the AMG buyer prefer auto. There's no reason for AMG to develop a manual for their torque crazy cars. There's rumor that a Sequential box is in the work tho.

btw, don't think that C32k Kleeman will catch up with the C32 AMG even with manual. The most a manual trans can make up for is probably half a second or less. i.e. BMW 330i manual/auto: 6.5/7.1 sec 0-60 mph. And C230k sedan 7.6/7.8 seconds 0-60 mpg according to MBusa.com.

CarlssonCRS

The C320 can be converted to a C32k with a Kleemann Kompressor... the retail price for the parts is $8,400 and it will boost your C320 from 215Hp to 330Hp... this is probably the best value upgrade you can do for your car. i am thinking about doing it myself.

CarlssonCRS

i think that the Kleemann kompressor in the C320 could definately catch up to a C32. the c32 is only a C320 with AMG kompressor in it. the HP difference is only 19hp.. just change the exhaust and use forged rims and the Kleeman C32k will be the same if not better as a C32 AMG.

PerfectionSe7en

Too bad the C32 doesn't have a Manual Transmission. Are there manual versions of the AMG's anywhere? I know in Europe more people are willing to drive manuals than the lazy people of America . I just feel like there's so much torque to be taken advantage of and the auto trans won't help in harnessing all that power. I thought the touch shift thing would be cool, but after using it in my sister's ML 500 (yeah i know it's a suv, so it shouldn't be that spirited), it didn't feel natural and will never take the place of a real manual transmission.

I think this is a major factor for the type of people that are willing to buy performance cars. I know for me, a major turn off for the SLK 32 was the fact that its' a roadster and no manual! Who does that?? Come on! I mean even if majority of AMG's clientele prefer auto, i think they can be more competative if they just offer a manual even as an option. If it were, I'd so buy one in a heartbeat (if i could afford one :o ) If AMG's had manuals, I think they could beat the M division out of their own game .

As for a sequential manual. That would be awesome! I rode in an E46 M3 w/ SMG and it's really really good. Although in the long run, I feel it will probably serve as the downfall of the trad. manual at some point.....

Weird idea: anyone ever attempted to do an engine swap of the C32 engine in a C-coupe??

CarlssonCRS

if you like the M3 SMG2 then why dont you like the C32? the c32 has an f1 tiptronic as well. the SMG is pretty much a tiptronic automatic, you dont shift as in manual.

PerfectionSe7en

The SMG2 is based off a manual with a clutch controlled by a computer. The AMG's have Tiptronic trans based off of automatic transmission. I mean even though it must be one of the best auto trans out there, it's still not a manual or derived from a manual, just meant to sort of "feel" like one.


I guess since i'm a manual dude and that thing shifts fast as anything (plus you got like 6 different mapping settings for the SMG in seq. mode), I do prefer the SMG.

hehe but before I step on anyone's toes here. I LOVE MERCEDES! THEY ARE COOL! WE USE REAL WOOD IN OUR CARS THAT ACTUALLY LOOK LIKE WOOD! I'm not hatin' on the bimmer crew, but yeah, I like both for different reasons.

CarlssonCRS

i definately enjoy the comfort of a mercedes... but i do think it would be cool if the C32s did have a SMG type of gearbox in it. for the times you wanna feel really sporty.

PerfectionSe7en

oh most definitely. esp if they had it on the SLK32, that would be totally money.

I feel like Mercedes can really make some crazy performance cars, but their main focus is still on the comforts of the driver and to make sure that the driver knows that they're still drivin' a benz .

I think Bimmer's focus though is the driver experience, which is why they offer manuals on tons of models (hehe Euro spec 735 w/ a manual trans in the movie "The Transporter"). Which is why it's just my opinion that more enthusiasts would be inclined to go with them. My sister's co-worker took a really long time to find the right car for him, and he really enjoyed the SLK32 and was so close into buying it, but he really wanted somthing he could shift. He also had to think about his daughters and the people he'd be driving with (hehe i guess he like's to roll deep in ladies) so he got an E46 M3 cabrio w/ the trad. 6spd.

CarlssonCRS

i really like how the m3 looks..... but i really prefer everything else about the c32

peet

Personally, I don't want anything to do with MB's auto trannies ever again. The lag when dropping down a gear, the lurches on fast gear changes. Sorry, no dice.

I know that F1 guys prefer paddle shifting, hell these guys shifted stick without using clutches before that! I for one, prefer the control of the stick. I don't want a computer cutting my power.

In my old M3 when I over-reved, the transmission popped out of gear to save the engine and the engine limited the revs as best as it could. With the computers in charge, it stops me short.

Not that I want to beat the crap out of my car, but the control aspect is wonderful.

Please AMG/MB ... if you ever read this stuff, pop in a proper stick into at least the C32!!!

Thanks.
P

P.S. If you need a source for a good tranny, look at the OEM label on a BMW 5 series tranny. If they can put a 6 speed on an M5 engine - what's MB's excuse?

PerfectionSe7en

MB has no excuse! I know they can develop a good manual transmission! I feel like the C32 and the SLK 32, and the CLK's deserve a Manual. Imagine the E55 w/ a 6spd? That would beat the M5 in it's own game, and increase the fun factor at least 10x.

FrankW

i know you guys are manual lovers, but just let you know that the next E60 M5 might not even offer a manual transmission. It'll probably come straight with the SMG. the SMG shifts much faster than a human being can. IMO technology is a good thing. AMG not offering manual is understandable because the Ms only offers manual (other than the previous M3 had the auto cuz of public demand). If they offer manual (lower the base price) in the AMG cars it would probably destroy the image they already set up, which being that AMGs are luxury sports cars that are usually more expensive which give them a more $$ image. And i remember someone said they did a survey or something says, 90% of the AMG buyer rather have a auto and if they want a manual, they could've gotten the M.

anywayz, I'd love to learn how to drive manual, just didn't have the chance yet.

PerfectionSe7en

when u start driving a manual, it's hard to go back to boring old automatic. I was forced to go back to an auto after my accident, and now w/ my C-class Coupe, i'm reunited once again w/ the good 'ol shifter.

Robert Schrader

When/if you do, please post lots of details.