2005 C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan - Manual vs Auto Driver Impressions
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Joined: Dec 2004
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From: CA
C63
Originally Posted by Outland
Oh look, someone posted a picture of how a C-Coupe looks with a trunk! Another 20K for a trunk! And they make you get the automatic too!??? Bleck!
If youre going with the supercharged 1.8, get the stick. The auto saps some life out of this engine, and autostick is kinda silly IMHO. The tranny still does pretty much what it wants anyway.
If youre going with the supercharged 1.8, get the stick. The auto saps some life out of this engine, and autostick is kinda silly IMHO. The tranny still does pretty much what it wants anyway.
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From: GA
'06 Lexus GS300 RWD, '07 Camry SE V6 auto, '91 190E 2.6 auto
Originally Posted by 1Lop2K5C
Isnt Mercedes supposely the best auto tranny out there and the least power "sapping" tranny.
I think the MB TouchShift system is the most sophisticate one out there that I have seen or driven.
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From: Boston
'05 A4 1.8TQM6
Originally Posted by Jim Banville
Does that make it less "sapping" than the MB manual tranny? I think the "adaptive" portion of the MB tranny sucks. It assumes you drive the same all the time. Only a "sport/comfort" button should change the way the auto tranny shifts.
I think it is stupid how you move the stick left/right to shift gears. Isn't front/back more intuitive? Since it's all electrical anyway, I'd prefer steering column paddles!
I think it is stupid how you move the stick left/right to shift gears. Isn't front/back more intuitive? Since it's all electrical anyway, I'd prefer steering column paddles!
If anyone else has tried their or similar tip-tronic system, you know what I'm talking about.
Say you are in the MB, you have it in 3rd gear using touch-shift, and you slow down or stop...it still displays 3 in the gear indicator, meaning that when you start again, it'll upshift from 1st to 2nd then from 2nd to 3rd and it'll keep it in 3rd gear till either you slow down and it needs to downshift or you upshift. But when you do slow down enough that warrants for a downshift, it won't change the gear indicator to 2nd year, it keeps it at 3, which says highest gear it'll upshift to.
In the Audi, same situation, your in 3rd and you slow down enough that the computer says you are at too low of a RPM for 3rd gear and it'll downshift to 2nd like the MB, but it'll acutally display 2nd gear on the indicator and then when you fully stop, it'll display 1st gear. Then when you start again, you are in 1st gear and will not shift out of it until you manually do so...but with the MB, you are able to go up to 3rd gear where it shifts through 1st and 2nd for you then stays at 3rd.
Also another cool feature of the tip-tronic is that it'll actually "blip" the throttle for you when downshifting manually so that it's a much smoother downshift and transistion through the shift, no jerking.
Has MB changed the way they do touch-shift in terms of what I said above? Or is it still the same as when it first came out?
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 714
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From: CA
C63
Originally Posted by GDawgC220
One thing I think MB should redesign the touch-shift system, in terms of "manual style" gear changing, if they haven't already from when they first introduced it. In comparing to Audi's tip-tronic system, IMO, it's much better in terms of "manual" control.
If anyone else has tried their or similar tip-tronic system, you know what I'm talking about.
Say you are in the MB, you have it in 3rd gear using touch-shift, and you slow down or stop...it still displays 3 in the gear indicator, meaning that when you start again, it'll upshift from 1st to 2nd then from 2nd to 3rd and it'll keep it in 3rd gear till either you slow down and it needs to downshift or you upshift. But when you do slow down enough that warrants for a downshift, it won't change the gear indicator to 2nd year, it keeps it at 3, which says highest gear it'll upshift to.
In the Audi, same situation, your in 3rd and you slow down enough that the computer says you are at too low of a RPM for 3rd gear and it'll downshift to 2nd like the MB, but it'll acutally display 2nd gear on the indicator and then when you fully stop, it'll display 1st gear. Then when you start again, you are in 1st gear and will not shift out of it until you manually do so...but with the MB, you are able to go up to 3rd gear where it shifts through 1st and 2nd for you then stays at 3rd.
Also another cool feature of the tip-tronic is that it'll actually "blip" the throttle for you when downshifting manually so that it's a much smoother downshift and transistion through the shift, no jerking.
Has MB changed the way they do touch-shift in terms of what I said above? Or is it still the same as when it first came out?
If anyone else has tried their or similar tip-tronic system, you know what I'm talking about.
Say you are in the MB, you have it in 3rd gear using touch-shift, and you slow down or stop...it still displays 3 in the gear indicator, meaning that when you start again, it'll upshift from 1st to 2nd then from 2nd to 3rd and it'll keep it in 3rd gear till either you slow down and it needs to downshift or you upshift. But when you do slow down enough that warrants for a downshift, it won't change the gear indicator to 2nd year, it keeps it at 3, which says highest gear it'll upshift to.
In the Audi, same situation, your in 3rd and you slow down enough that the computer says you are at too low of a RPM for 3rd gear and it'll downshift to 2nd like the MB, but it'll acutally display 2nd gear on the indicator and then when you fully stop, it'll display 1st gear. Then when you start again, you are in 1st gear and will not shift out of it until you manually do so...but with the MB, you are able to go up to 3rd gear where it shifts through 1st and 2nd for you then stays at 3rd.
Also another cool feature of the tip-tronic is that it'll actually "blip" the throttle for you when downshifting manually so that it's a much smoother downshift and transistion through the shift, no jerking.
Has MB changed the way they do touch-shift in terms of what I said above? Or is it still the same as when it first came out?
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 466
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From: Hawaii
2005 Volvo S40 T5 AWD, 2004.5 C230 Sport Sedan, 2005 E320 CDI, 2008 C300 4-Matic Luxury
Originally Posted by 1Lop2K5C
Yes
, also, if you have it in tip-tronic and try to redline it, it'll automatically up-shift for you, unlike some other cars that let you ride the redline like there's no tomorrow, while i understand why they would do this so you dont mess up your engine, doesn't it kind of defeat the purpose of 'simulating' a manual and giving you more control if they're just going to take it away from you like this??? wonder if there will be some kind of upgrade to change all of this later or something 
wishful thinking i'm sure, but a guy can dream can't he?
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From: The blue white rock, third out.
2002 C230 Coupe(M111)
Originally Posted by Jim Banville
I think it is stupid how you move the stick left/right to shift gears. Isn't front/back more intuitive? Since it's all electrical anyway, I'd prefer steering column paddles!
For those of you hating this discussion, learn to drive a stick for Pete's sake. You'll understand why we dis the auto, no matter how good it is.
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 396
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From: Mission Viejo, California
2008 c350 SG - 2004 c240 Wagon BS
Originally Posted by Outland
For those of you hating this discussion, learn to drive a stick for Pete's sake. You'll understand why we dis the auto, no matter how good it is.
After all, if you can't crank start your own engine you shouldn't be driving in the first place.
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 714
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From: CA
C63
Originally Posted by Outland
For those of you hating this discussion, learn to drive a stick for Pete's sake. You'll understand why we dis the auto, no matter how good it is.
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Joined: Jul 2004
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2005 C320wz
about driving a stick shift in traffic: it's no sweat nowadays. the gear box is light and so is the clutch. I actually prefer driving a stick shift car in traffic rather than an automatic because with the automatic I would always have to use both the gas pedal and the brake pedal (to prevent the car from pulling ahead). With the manual, I could just use 2nd gear and the gas pedal. I would only need to step on the brake if the car in front of me is coming to a full stop.
Last edited by mick1; Jan 8, 2005 at 11:39 AM.
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From: The blue white rock, third out.
2002 C230 Coupe(M111)
Originally Posted by wblynch
Good idea. And let's ditch that stupid electric starter gimmick and put cranks back on the engine while we're at it.
After all, if you can't crank start your own engine you shouldn't be driving in the first place.
After all, if you can't crank start your own engine you shouldn't be driving in the first place.
Since I have a manual transmission, I don't need the starter. I can pop start it.
Youre stuck at home with the slushbox. :p
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From: The blue white rock, third out.
2002 C230 Coupe(M111)
Originally Posted by hphan
I drive through 18 miles of bay area rush hour on 101, stick isn't a problem.
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C320 Coupe
The six speed is the only way to go. The 0-60 times are not a great measure. You really need time to distance, aka 1/4 mile times. MB manuals appear slow to 60 because they need third gear to get there. the extra shift cost 1/2 second in the 0-60 times, but has minimal impact on the 1/4 mile times. You will get the to end of the merge ramp much faster in a manual.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 106
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From: Toronto CANADA
Thread Starter
It all comes down to individual preference when selecting either the 6 Speed Man or 5 Speed Auto. I think I'm going to go with the Auto and have some fun with the Touch Shift, even though it cannot compare to the actual 6 speed manual. The 6 speed is splendid for the c230 SS but the Auto isn't a horrible option. The person who will be driving the car will be the ultimate determing factor as to which they get and will live with.
