c230 kompressor auto or stick?
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 810
Likes: 1
From: Illinois, Indiana
2005 C230 Sedan 6spd
I have a stick. I personally would not get a Automatic transmission on a vehicle that doesn't have great amount of Torque.
I love revving engine. If you DO get a stick.
I love revving engine. If you DO get a stick.
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,480
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From: Central NJ
C230K Coupe/Orion/C4/C5/CD/AMG Spoiler/V60/TeleAid, 2 MGB's
My coupe is a stick...the 6 speed is a good match for the Kompressor motor, even if 1st gear is a little short. But then again, the only auto I'd ever buy would be another 4Matic.
(hmmm....maybe a coupe with a C55AMG drive train and 4Matic?)
(hmmm....maybe a coupe with a C55AMG drive train and 4Matic?)
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Laguna Niguel, CA
My old 2002 C230 and my new 2004.5 C230 are both stickshift, wouldn't have it any other way. As for them being rare, when I got mine back in June all they had was 5 C230's left and not one slushbox in the bunch. What I don't like about MB's slushbox is that it's too slow to react, even using the manumatic mode. Doesn't bother me as much on my other cars.
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 80
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From: Tuscaloosa, Alabama
2004 CLK 320 Convertible
Stick with the Stick! 
I test drove an auto coupe before I bought the stick and it's just not the same. Wife has the auto on the C240 and Buellwinkle is right about the reaction time issue.
I test drove an auto coupe before I bought the stick and it's just not the same. Wife has the auto on the C240 and Buellwinkle is right about the reaction time issue.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,275
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From: BC, Canada
2003 C230K Coupe Orion Blue
Originally Posted by Buellwinkle
My old 2002 C230 and my new 2004.5 C230 are both stickshift, wouldn't have it any other way. As for them being rare, when I got mine back in June all they had was 5 C230's left and not one slushbox in the bunch.
I have yet to see a single auto c230K coupe anywhere.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,916
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From: The blue white rock, third out.
2002 C230 Coupe(M111)
STICK! AUTOMATICS SUCK! MB needs to get this through its head- we want to shift our own gears, and not via the lazy autostick. The MB Auto5 speed is a sweety, its one of the smoothest trannies, but its still a slushbox.
Even with a torquey motor like the M111, or the 3.2L v6, Stick is still the way to go. With the M271 or the weezy 2.6L six, its a must.
Even with a torquey motor like the M111, or the 3.2L v6, Stick is still the way to go. With the M271 or the weezy 2.6L six, its a must.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 810
Likes: 1
From: Illinois, Indiana
2005 C230 Sedan 6spd
Mercedes Needs to put some Getrag 6 speed manuals in some of their cars. Getrag make the best 6spd manual transmissions. 
I know so far Nissan Skyline GT-R has them, CTS-V has them too. Maybe they can stick on in the AMG models.......then we will definitly give BMW a good competition.
I know so far Nissan Skyline GT-R has them, CTS-V has them too. Maybe they can stick on in the AMG models.......then we will definitly give BMW a good competition.
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Joined: Aug 2002
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From: York, PA
2003 C230K Sport Coupe, 1986 190E 2.3
I own a stick coupe. I have a 2005 C230K Sport Sedan with Auto as a loaner right now. The auto is a smooth tranny but yes it is somewhat slow to re-act when you want it to. That and it seems to not like my driving style and holds the gears to long after I get on it and let off the gas. It is a great tranny don't get me wrong, but it is not my cup of tea in a Sport Sedan. Especially the way that sedan pulls you around over every road imperfection due to the big rears tires. Although I like what they have tweaked on the suspension on the 2005 as it seems to have less body roll than my coupe does and the brakes are great as well. I guess I need to upgrade my front brakes and maybe sways on my Coupe.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 810
Likes: 1
From: Illinois, Indiana
2005 C230 Sedan 6spd
Originally Posted by Biznatch
I am 90% positive that Mercedes used Getrag on the 2005 6Speeds.
According to their site, I think only the vehicle listed uses Getrag 6spd. (Some are 5 spd trans.)
Getrag Link
BMW 3er, 5er, Z4 Roadster
Ford Lincoln, Jaguar S-Type
BMW 540i, Z8, M3, M5, Alpina
Nissan Skyline GTR, Toyota Supra, Supra Turbo
Cadillac CTS,Holden Commodore V6
Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 115
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My 04.5 SS 6-spd was found in Minneapolis (St. Paul, actually). It was late in the model year, and the dealer's computer search found only 7 six-speeds left in the entire U.S.
Love the 6-speed. If you get one, just be sure you run out the gears...don't be too quick to shift through them. If you shift with revs too low, you'll know, as it shifts poorly. With the exception of 1st, most shifting is between 3500 and 4000.
I changed the stock shift knob to a carbon fiber Momo knob. There's just something about not having the gear pattern printed on the knob.
Love the 6-speed. If you get one, just be sure you run out the gears...don't be too quick to shift through them. If you shift with revs too low, you'll know, as it shifts poorly. With the exception of 1st, most shifting is between 3500 and 4000.
I changed the stock shift knob to a carbon fiber Momo knob. There's just something about not having the gear pattern printed on the knob.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2
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From: orange county
2004 c230k ss
i agree
stick is the only way to go with these. as for stick being rare on the c230k ss i am unsure as i bought my 2004 used with 7k miles. it belonged to the internet sales manager at mercedes benz laguna niguel and he was shocked to find a 21 year old kid who used to date one of the women in his office was buying it. its black sport sedan with nothing extraordinary like parktronic or xenons or command for that matter but its black on the outside and black leather on the inside which makes me happy. this is the first stick shift vehicle i have owned and i dont think i would buy another automatic if there was option to purchase the car in stick. i just feel like i have so much more control now.
Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 233
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From: Vancouver, BC
C230 coupe, 335i
I am not sure if i should ask this here, but i see so many 6 spd drivers replying here.
How do you guys launch your cars when you race? Do you drop the clutch or slowly let it out? I am a pretty new driver to manual cars. At what rpm do you guys launch and shift at?
Thanks
BTW: my car is a 02 c230 coupe 6 spd
How do you guys launch your cars when you race? Do you drop the clutch or slowly let it out? I am a pretty new driver to manual cars. At what rpm do you guys launch and shift at?
Thanks
BTW: my car is a 02 c230 coupe 6 spd
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Austin, Tx
'04 G55
6speed for sure!
I would absolutely take the manual over the automatic any day in a sport sedan. I believe that automatics and smg's, in general, really take away from the driving experience if you are an enthusiast. While the tranny/clutch in the c230k is not the greatest in the world, (my previous car was an e36 M3 so I'm probably jaded) it still is much more fun than the automatic in my opinion. It's good to see more manual benz's out there; hopefully MB will get the hint and offer it with the amg's and some of their coupes! =P I never understood why they do not.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 810
Likes: 1
From: Illinois, Indiana
2005 C230 Sedan 6spd
Originally Posted by OnLun9
I am not sure if i should ask this here, but i see so many 6 spd drivers replying here.
How do you guys launch your cars when you race? Do you drop the clutch or slowly let it out? I am a pretty new driver to manual cars. At what rpm do you guys launch and shift at?
Thanks
BTW: my car is a 02 c230 coupe 6 spd
How do you guys launch your cars when you race? Do you drop the clutch or slowly let it out? I am a pretty new driver to manual cars. At what rpm do you guys launch and shift at?
Thanks
BTW: my car is a 02 c230 coupe 6 spd
3500RPM = Lots of wheel spin
If I launch anything under 3000RPM the engine just bogs down as soon as I shift into 2nd.
Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
C230 WZ - Six Speed
I love my six-speed! Compared to other cars, first is geared low and overall the trans. feels notchy, but I would not have it any other way. It makes the sport sedan enthusiast's heart race! 6-speed with rear-wheel drive is the true definition of sports sedan. I test drove one, then ordered that same week with the options I wanted.
