qwerty1024

Has anyone driven the C300 Sport 6-speed manual transmision?

I've searched for reviews, test-drives, etc., but the most I found was a reference to it being a "short throw shift ..." and that about sums it up. Looks like the writings I found were for automatic transmision.
Regarding the Manual mode of the 7-speed automatic C300/C350 - I have not driven one yet (will do so soon, I hope). I don't know how responsive the shifts are. The only Manual-mode automatic I've driven was a 2000 Passat V6 which I found to be lagging quite a bit when shifting: for example, if the upshift was initiated at 4000 RPM, the gear change would finally occur by something like 4,700 RPM (just an example, under full acceleration).

Anyways, enough about my talk - I'd greatly appreaciate it if anyone has a few words to say about the 6-speed manual, or add a link to such a review, or about the 7-speed automatic in manual mode.

Thanks.

MBTex

To be honest, I would be surprised if MB shipped more than a few stick's over here that were not specially ordered. If you searched every dealership in a major city you might find one you can drive. I asked my dealer that question and he said they have never had one, but he did just order one for someone who came in and wanted the 300 Sport at the 31,975 advertised price in the tv ads

qwerty1024

Unfortunately (for me) you're right - I'm getting the idea that there are very few W204s in the states that are manual transmission. I would be reluctant to order a manual C300 without actually having driven one first.

Admitedly, if I'm so desperate to get a manual transmission, I could consider the 328i - but there are other very "unscientific" reasons why an otherwise great car is second on my choice to the W204.

Kev204

I hope the manual transmission is not going to be too bad because I ordered one. Never have a chance to test drive one.

MBTex

I'm sure it'll be fine...probably better than average. It still is an MB.

mb_horseshoe

I went to Fletcher Jones Mercedes Benz in Orange County, California (I believe they are the #1 seller of MB's in CA and rank up-there nationally) and they only had 2 2008 C-Class's on the lot - both manual.

Salesman said they were selling them almost immediately after they take delivery.

Just keep asking around - there has to be a dealer near you that has a manual.

As for the performance -- the short throw is certainly short and the actual shift from gear to gear is smooth and effortless. The clutch as also fairly short and fairly easily depressed. It's very nice, although I wouldn't call it "above-and-beyond" the Infiniti G35, BMW 3 series, or Audi A4.

One thing I'm not too happy about is the aesthetics of the actual shifter -- the knob looks like it's made of a cheap plastic (I think it's technically the aluminum to match the trim), and the way it connects to the leather and the way the leather connects to the console are poorly designed (Audi, BMW, and Infiniti do a much better job of this).

Nonetheless, I will probably order a C300 Sport in the near future. Hope this helps, and good luck.

Just my 2-cents.

lauer87

My local dealer (Rahal Of Pittsburgh) has a mars red c300 stick. I drove it and it was a very very nice car. It seemed to have lots of power and the stick was very much comparable to a 3 series. I believe the cars still available if anybodys interested.

qwerty1024

mb_horseshoe and lauer87 - thank you for your feedback! Glad to hear good things about the manual transmission. Will check out Fletcher Jones.

Thanks again.

Untertürkheim

The manual is actually very nice, it is actually so well designed that a real expert can make it smoother than any automatic. Clutch take up is even and predictable, can't imagine any way to misshift

Kev204

Good to hear that!

qwerty1024

That is aweomse to hear! Now it'll make it that much more difficult to deal with "having no option" but to buy an automatic What if I get two: an automatic to please those that bug me, and the 6-speed for moi

am just thinking outloud on my own issues...

Thank you for the feedback.

accbenz

I haven't driven a W204 manual, but I do have a W203 manual. I love driving the 6 speed, but the one thing I would warn you of is re-sale value/limited market if you intend on buying it and eventually either trading it in or selling it. Dealerships generally don't stock 6 speeds due to the fact that the demand simply isn't there, and the people who do want them, would generally order it anyway (as I did). If you do get a manual, just be aware that whenever you try and sell it or trade it in, you may be in for a tough time.

qwerty1024

Thank you for the heads-up.

I'm having a hard time selling my Jetta VR6 manual transmission - as soon a potential buyer is reminded that my car is a manual transmission, the interest is over.

And regarding my interest in the C300 manual, I'm being reminded the same thing by everyone else around me - my only remark is that I would plan on keeping the car for at least 5 to 7 years (especially if I end up liking it). So i would enjoy it for the time I have it and deal with the lower resale value later.

Frankly, because of other issues, I'm starting to consdier the automatic over the manual - so might refrain from testing the manual just so I won't be temted even more.

Untertürkheim

Oh get the manual, MB drivers are not VW drivers. Someone will pay a premium for a well optioned 6MT. There's no point in getting a 300 with auto, stand up for real drivers, get the stick.

mb_horseshoe

Does anybody have a C300 manual that's reading this?

When I test drove, I noticed that there was some sort of braking mechanism for 1-2 seconds after letting off the brake and before hitting the friction-point with the clutch (i.e. on a slightly inclined hill, the car will actually not immediately roll backwards when you take your foot off the brake)...

I thought it was intuitive at first, but I sort of dislike it. Less control for the driver.

Has anyone else experienced this? Is this a feature and if so, what's it called?

Untertürkheim

I believe the feature you are talking about is SBC hold, although I'm confused since the W204 should not have SBC in the US. On my W211 you can engage it by pressing the brake sharply while stopped, it will hold the car in place until you press the accelerator.

MBTex

It's called Start Assist. It activates when you come to a complete stop and hold the brake pedal in for a couple seconds afterwards. It's designed to prevent rollback until you get going again.

mb_horseshoe

Can It be deactivated?




....

qwerty1024

Start Assist - I guess it would take me some time to get used to, no big deal though. The only complaint I could think of is, yet another thing that could break over time...

I'm pretty excited - this weekend I'm scheduled to test drive the C350 and the Manaul C300

Got good information, advice and feedback in this thread - thank you for that. Ultimately I'll decide after the test drive. I still think I should get both

MBTex

That one I don't know, Sorry.

alpinweiss

I also don't have a direct answer. But the new VW Passat (6 speed) has a similar system to prevent rolling back at a stop. You can push a button on the console to activate or deactivate the system. It is nice on a steep hill since the engine pauses a little bit before developing torque (byproduct of turbocharging and high altitude).

My Mercedes (supercharged) has a lot of low-end torque, so I have never felt I needed the mechanical assistance.

flaw

why is it that Mercedes manual cannot be ordered with a 4-matic?? I ask the dealer and they say that the 4-matic mechanism is incorporated in the transmission and MB fear that boneheads may tear the tranny apart. I do not see a problem with Audi's quattro??