6 sp shift quality
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From: Atlanta, GA
C230 coupe 6sp
6 sp shift quality
Anyone with a 6 sp notice any better shift quality (especially from 1st to 2nd) as their car has gotten more miles on it? Mine seems to be a little better now that I have about 4k on it, but it is still not what I would call good. When the car is warmed up good, it is OK, but still pretty bad when it is cold. Just wondering if I can expect it to get any better with more break in time.
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From: Calgary, AB, Canada
2002 C230K, Silver, 6-speed, Evo, Roof, Leather, CD, Staggered C7 Wheels
My car also has about 6500 kms. The shift from 1 to 2 seemed always OK, certainly got better from what it was originally.
Shifting into 1 is still notchy quite often.
The shop foreman guy said to let it break-in till 10,000 kms.
Shifting into 1 is still notchy quite often.
The shop foreman guy said to let it break-in till 10,000 kms.
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We've talked about this a lot here, and everyone agrees that it improves with miles. As far as it getting better after 4000 miles, I can't say because my car only has 3800. Some people say it takes 20,000 for the MB engine to fully break-in. Maybe the six speed gets better with more mile too.
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From: NJ
'05 c240 4matic wagon
I'm only up to 2000 miles after 3.5 months, but I do feel the shifts are falling right into place. Perhaps I've finally learned how to guide the shifter, letting it follow it's path rather than trying to force it. I was a bit tense in the beginning. I really think it's a bit of both, but it does get better with age...like everything else 
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From: Atlanta, GA
C230 coupe 6sp
The reason I ask, is that the factory rep said they would put a new 2nd gear syncro in if I wanted. I'm trying to decide if "I want" or if I should just let it break in more. It is so annoying, that sometimes I don't even want to drive it. But it is still better than an automatic
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From: On a hill overlooking San Francisco Bay
c230k, black, auto, c2 (let the sunshine in), Bose, leather, and CD
Originally posted by speedfrk
The reason I ask, is that the factory rep said they would put a new 2nd gear syncro in if I wanted. I'm trying to decide if "I want" or if I should just let it break in more. It is so annoying, that sometimes I don't even want to drive it. But it is still better than an automatic
The reason I ask, is that the factory rep said they would put a new 2nd gear syncro in if I wanted. I'm trying to decide if "I want" or if I should just let it break in more. It is so annoying, that sometimes I don't even want to drive it. But it is still better than an automatic
Did you get the c7 package? The throw is differnet, maybe you want to get whatever the shift thing is put in your car.
Beth
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Thread Starter
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From: Atlanta, GA
C230 coupe 6sp
No, unfortunately, I did not get the C7. I didn't know it was anything more than cosmetic items until it was too late. Mercedes says nothing about any mechanical differences in any of their advertising. If they do drop the transmission for the syncro, I will try to get them to swap it out. But even the factory rep said he wouldn't want them taking his new car apart until it was evident it had to be done. That's why I wondering if someone else with similar experiences has actually felt that it has gotten better with more miles.
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From: On a hill overlooking San Francisco Bay
c230k, black, auto, c2 (let the sunshine in), Bose, leather, and CD
I know very little about cars, but there is a difference in the throw of the C7 package and the normal shifter, I would think Lynn might be a good person to ask.
I would think if MB is offering to help you out, you can get them to replace your normal shifter with the C7. There has been a lot of talk about this, trying searching. I think the price was only $250 to get the c7 mechanism put in your car.
Yes, I wish someone had told me also, but I was pretty set on an automatic due to SF Hills, though I regret it now.
Good luck!
I would think if MB is offering to help you out, you can get them to replace your normal shifter with the C7. There has been a lot of talk about this, trying searching. I think the price was only $250 to get the c7 mechanism put in your car.
Yes, I wish someone had told me also, but I was pretty set on an automatic due to SF Hills, though I regret it now.
Good luck!
Last edited by galaxygrrl; May 14, 2002 at 03:40 AM.
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From: The Red Planet
09' BMW M3 E90
With 2500km my 6spd it is getting better and better. If some of you know i couldn't down shift into 1st gear, but now it is getting smoother and smoother to down shift. At first the gears where very hard to shift but now seems to be loosining up.
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From: San Jose, CA
C230
I have about 3k on my C230 and I still feel the shift from 1st to 2nd is not smooth. Sometimes I find myself "searching" for the 2nd gear. It almost feels as if something is preventing me from shifting into 2nd gear. It really can be quite frustrating.
I haven't taken it in to get it looked at yet but perhaps I should.
I don't have the C7 package as well
I haven't taken it in to get it looked at yet but perhaps I should.
I don't have the C7 package as well
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Atlanta, GA
C230 coupe 6sp
seehow, Does yours shift better as it gets warmer? Mine still has a distinct clunk (which others have noted, too) shifting from 1st to 2nd, but it is better than when it was new. I will probably wait until 5000 miles before I decide what to do.
Also, any of you with 6sp, make a note to see if your clutch is slightly harder to push in after you have driven on the freeway for a while. When I get off on an exit ramp, and push the clutch in for the first time coming to a stop, etc, it is noticably stiffer-but only the first time after driving on the freeway for several miles. The next time I push the clutch, it is back to normal. I first thought it was my imagination, but it is very repeatable.
Also, any of you with 6sp, make a note to see if your clutch is slightly harder to push in after you have driven on the freeway for a while. When I get off on an exit ramp, and push the clutch in for the first time coming to a stop, etc, it is noticably stiffer-but only the first time after driving on the freeway for several miles. The next time I push the clutch, it is back to normal. I first thought it was my imagination, but it is very repeatable.
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From: Stockholm, Sweden
C200 Kompressor
The unsmoth shift from first to second is (what I believe) a known "issue" on MB's six-speed. I've seen a tech bulletin about this, and the recommended fix was to drain the gearbox from some oil (not drain it completely, just removing some of the oil). 
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From: Stockholm, Sweden
C200 Kompressor
Here's the service record...
25 100 2/27/2001 170.449 26 MANUAL TRANSMISSION
(6-SPEED):
For complaints of increased shifter effort between first and second gear during cold weather, it is recommended that the transmission...
Gentlemen, Please see Dealer Technical Bulletin #100 below. FYI
--------------------------------------------------------------
ROUTE=ALL
To: ALL SHOP FOREMEN
ALL SERVICE MANAGERS
ALL PARTS MANAGERS
ALL SERVICE ADVISORS
ALL WARRANTY ADMINISTRATORS
CC: MBUSA FIELD PERSONNEL
VPC / PDC MANAGERS
SUBJECT: DEALER TECHNICAL BULLETIN 11/01
11/01-1 RECALLS AND SERVICE CAMPAIGNS: WHEN REPAIRING ANY VEHICLE, ALWAYS CHECK THE VEHICLE MASTER INQUIRY FOR OPEN CAMPAIGNS
11/01-2 GROUP 26 - MODELS 170.449 / 465 AND 203.061 MANUAL TRANSMISSION (6-SPEED): For complaints of increased shifter effort between first and second gear during cold weather, it is recommended that the transmission oil level be reduced by 300ml. It is not necessary to drain and refill the transmission, simply drain enough transmission oil so that the level is 10mm below the fill plug.
Starting with transmission serial no. 01 209960, all transmissions have been filled to the new fill capacity as follows:
Manual Trans. Model Fill Capacity
716.623 C240 1.2 liters
716.630 SLK230 1.2 liters
716.667 SLK320 1.5 liters
Manual transmission oil, part no. A001 989 2603 10
Service Engineering
NYdg
2-27-01
(6-SPEED):
For complaints of increased shifter effort between first and second gear during cold weather, it is recommended that the transmission...
Gentlemen, Please see Dealer Technical Bulletin #100 below. FYI
--------------------------------------------------------------
ROUTE=ALL
To: ALL SHOP FOREMEN
ALL SERVICE MANAGERS
ALL PARTS MANAGERS
ALL SERVICE ADVISORS
ALL WARRANTY ADMINISTRATORS
CC: MBUSA FIELD PERSONNEL
VPC / PDC MANAGERS
SUBJECT: DEALER TECHNICAL BULLETIN 11/01
11/01-1 RECALLS AND SERVICE CAMPAIGNS: WHEN REPAIRING ANY VEHICLE, ALWAYS CHECK THE VEHICLE MASTER INQUIRY FOR OPEN CAMPAIGNS
11/01-2 GROUP 26 - MODELS 170.449 / 465 AND 203.061 MANUAL TRANSMISSION (6-SPEED): For complaints of increased shifter effort between first and second gear during cold weather, it is recommended that the transmission oil level be reduced by 300ml. It is not necessary to drain and refill the transmission, simply drain enough transmission oil so that the level is 10mm below the fill plug.
Starting with transmission serial no. 01 209960, all transmissions have been filled to the new fill capacity as follows:
Manual Trans. Model Fill Capacity
716.623 C240 1.2 liters
716.630 SLK230 1.2 liters
716.667 SLK320 1.5 liters
Manual transmission oil, part no. A001 989 2603 10
Service Engineering
NYdg
2-27-01
Last edited by DtS; May 14, 2002 at 04:25 AM.
Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 133
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From: Atlanta, GA
C230K Manny, Albaster White/Oyster Leather/C1/C5/C7/CD
Originally posted by speedfrk
The reason I ask, is that the factory rep said they would put a new 2nd gear syncro in if I wanted. I'm trying to decide if "I want" or if I should just let it break in more. It is so annoying, that sometimes I don't even want to drive it. But it is still better than an automatic
The reason I ask, is that the factory rep said they would put a new 2nd gear syncro in if I wanted. I'm trying to decide if "I want" or if I should just let it break in more. It is so annoying, that sometimes I don't even want to drive it. But it is still better than an automatic
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 461
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From: Atlanta, GA
C230 coupe 6sp
DtS, They have already done the oil level check, and it did help some, but it is still not what I would call good. I am going to go and drive another one on the lot, and see if it feels any different from mine.
NANA, I bought the car from the dealer in Birmingham, but I take it to Carriage House for service. They have been good in trying to fix the problem, and even arranged the meeting with the factory rep. My service advisor and the shop foreman both have competition/racing backgrounds, so they are better to deal with than most. They said right up front, that they have a lot of complaints with these 6sp transmissions. They apparently do not break, but they don't "feel right" to a lot of people. How is yours?
NANA, I bought the car from the dealer in Birmingham, but I take it to Carriage House for service. They have been good in trying to fix the problem, and even arranged the meeting with the factory rep. My service advisor and the shop foreman both have competition/racing backgrounds, so they are better to deal with than most. They said right up front, that they have a lot of complaints with these 6sp transmissions. They apparently do not break, but they don't "feel right" to a lot of people. How is yours?
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 867
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From: New Jersey
2008 C300 Sport
Originally posted by speedfrk
No, unfortunately, I did not get the C7. I didn't know it was anything more than cosmetic items until it was too late. Mercedes says nothing about any mechanical differences in any of their advertising
No, unfortunately, I did not get the C7. I didn't know it was anything more than cosmetic items until it was too late. Mercedes says nothing about any mechanical differences in any of their advertising
