I am going to order my c230k with a 6-speed manual tranny. For those with the 6-speed, do you have any negative reviews or do you regret not getting the automatic?

 

I have 2 C230s, a coupe and sedan and both are 6-spd and I have no regrets. I would say that 5% of the time I wish I had an automatic but if I did I would wish I had a manual more often than that. The downside is that it will take a little longer to sell unless you lease or trade-in. The upside for me is I have a better, more enjoyable driving experience. Also, the auto on the MB has a lag to it that I find annoying. This is more pronounced on the MB than any other modern automatic I've owned.

 

Yep, the auto has some weird habits. It doesn't always shift when you tell it to, and if the engine's cold it doesn't like to upshift below 3k. And the lag is something you get used to, you can force a shift (sometimes) electronically. But supposedly the auto gets better mileage. And if you get the auto, you don't need to hold the key in the START position to crank the engine, you just need to flick the wrist once.

 

I'd definately get manual with this small superchaged engine. (But I'm biased
). But it all depends-traffic, your significant other etc.

1. The short shifter is nice improvement, but still not as good as Miata or S2000. Hey, but it's good enough!
2. The first gear is extremely short, it's anonying when you want to have some fun.

Regret? no no not even in the heavy traffic. Go for it.

 

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well hey.. the shorter the gear.. the faster you accelerate..

The 0-60 times on the Manual are at least.4 seconds faster than the Automatic as well..

-Danny

 

i love my 6 speed!!!!

 

Yes, as long as you don't cross the red line.

 

you have to decide that for yourself. If you want to row gears 100% of the time, get the manual. I personally love manual, but never usethe speedshift on my C32, its just not engaging. Shifting on a 2800 lbs Civic is more fun than speedshift

 

My 5 speed BMW was much faster BTW... I think 6 speeds are so annoying sometimes. If someone infront of you isn't going atleast 50, you can't even put the car in 6th cause it makes noices. LOL

 

I absolutley love my 6-speed.....no regrets

 

With that Monster engine in the C240, you need a stick :p

 

I debated heavily back and forth before ordering my car. In the end I am really happy that I went with the 6 Speed. The manual is so easy to use and the car has enough torque that you are not changing gears that much. For my liking the auto still delays in shifting and takes away from the driving pleasure a little too much.

 

I'm another happy 6-speeder. The extra-low first gear is great for stop-and-go traffic but otherwise a bit of a pain.

 

With an ECU upgrade, I was able to remove the "lag" many MB automatics have. It also noticeably decreased my 0-60 time by about .4-.6 seconds, maybe more. And TORQUE, gotta love the TORQUE !

 

yes Carlos, when i rode in your car the acceleration was quite noticable!

 

thanks ! I'm loving it now ! at first I really kicked myself because the C320 COUPE was no-where to be found in MANUAL. I settled for the AUTO, consoled by the fact that it was a V-6. Now it all feels "really good !"

 

No Auto in my blvd cruiser. Hell no.

 

My 6th Gear is good from 40 without AC on and 45 with AC on.

 

Thanks for all of your opinions. I have never owned a car with an automatic tranny. Looks like I won't in the near future either since I am ordering my c230 with the 6-speed.

 

I love my manual. If I don't really feel like shifting or I'm on the phone, I just use 2nd and 5th.

 

As an aside to those who think that the 1st gear is too short, when researching my car I found out the various gear ratios in both the automatic and manual gearboxes (naturally I can't find it now). Mercedes in the comfort mode of its auto uses 2nd gear to pull away. The manual's second gear (they both have the same rear end ratio BTW) is actually a little taller (i.e. better acceleration) than the 2nd in the auto. Knowing this, I tried 2nd gear starts with the manual and found that the car does them with TOTAL EASE. So if you think that first is too short just pull away in 2nd as it places no appreciable extra strain or wear on the car.

 

no kidding, you guys would shift to 6th gear at 40 mph ?

at 40 mph, in a bmw 328i, I would be in 4th gear with the engine reving at about 2000 rpm. I don't even shift into 5th until the car reaches 50 mph.

 

I would never... some other idiots sound like they do. LOL

 

what the others said above, 6-speed.