6speed stick
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,007
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From: N. California
2008 Arctic White C300 Sport 6M
The clutch doesn't (or hasn't, as far as I can tell thus far) soften up, but I think it's pretty soft to begin with. It's a trip when I go back to driving my other car ever so often.
I agree with Derspeed; I can't believe M-B is calling this a short shifter. Not that it's bad now, but I like it super short. Miata knobs?
Short shifter kit?
Auto trans is supposed to get better mileage, but I've been getting some awesome mileage numbers by adopting a few strange driving techniques. Better than the official numbers for sure. Not often though... my right foot has a mind of its own.
I agree with Derspeed; I can't believe M-B is calling this a short shifter. Not that it's bad now, but I like it super short. Miata knobs?
Short shifter kit?Auto trans is supposed to get better mileage, but I've been getting some awesome mileage numbers by adopting a few strange driving techniques. Better than the official numbers for sure. Not often though... my right foot has a mind of its own.
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Los Altos Hill, CA
BMW's
Engines are different between manual and automatic??? You seriously can't use e85 on a 6-speed? Doesn't make any sense.
Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 102
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From: California
2009 C300 Sport 6MT
For manual transmission, there is not much coordination between engine and transmission as it's done by the driver.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 352
Likes: 1
From: walnut, ca
C300 MT, 350Z
i mean shifter.and living in cali, damn... i am lucky when i get to 24mpg
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
When I say less fuel, I am talking about real world consumption, not EPA ratings.
Most drivers of manual cars meet or exceed the EPA mileage figures. Most drivers of automatic cars get less than the EPA rating.
Various testers (including Consumer Reports) have verified identical cars with manual transmissions get better mileage, and have better performance, than their counterparts with automatics.
More gears help the automatics, but not enough to offset the losses from the torque converter.
Most drivers of manual cars meet or exceed the EPA mileage figures. Most drivers of automatic cars get less than the EPA rating.
Various testers (including Consumer Reports) have verified identical cars with manual transmissions get better mileage, and have better performance, than their counterparts with automatics.
More gears help the automatics, but not enough to offset the losses from the torque converter.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,714
Likes: 56
From: 1 hours drive north of Sydney Australia
2007 W204 220CDI Classic Sedan
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 385
Likes: 0
W204, W220, S15 Silvia
When I say less fuel, I am talking about real world consumption, not EPA ratings.
Most drivers of manual cars meet or exceed the EPA mileage figures. Most drivers of automatic cars get less than the EPA rating.
Various testers (including Consumer Reports) have verified identical cars with manual transmissions get better mileage, and have better performance, than their counterparts with automatics.
More gears help the automatics, but not enough to offset the losses from the torque converter.
Most drivers of manual cars meet or exceed the EPA mileage figures. Most drivers of automatic cars get less than the EPA rating.
Various testers (including Consumer Reports) have verified identical cars with manual transmissions get better mileage, and have better performance, than their counterparts with automatics.
More gears help the automatics, but not enough to offset the losses from the torque converter.
i love manual though, but MB does not offer manual in my country :/
Last edited by zankok; Sep 5, 2008 at 09:38 PM.
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Newbie
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
C200K (W204)
I didn't even know it came in a stick till I read this thread...
I would guess a manual Merc would be hard to sell and doing hill starts should be a pain in the back side due to the Merc Hand Brake... However I could be wrong though...
I would guess a manual Merc would be hard to sell and doing hill starts should be a pain in the back side due to the Merc Hand Brake... However I could be wrong though...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,007
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From: N. California
2008 Arctic White C300 Sport 6M
This prospect did cross my mind when I was purchasing, but in the end, I decided to buy what I want right now, instead of what I may want in the future. 6 MT all the way.
Not a concern. The MB Hill-Assist feature works quite well. When the car senses an incline, the system momentarily holds the brake--more than plenty time for my right foot to move from brake to accelerator.
RE: MPG concerns and such, though I agree that the automatics of today have vastly improved from the gas-hoggers of yore, no machine can beat a human brain in terms of modulating gas usage. When I really want/need to save gas (running on empty?), I've gotten up to 23+ MPG local city-driving, and ~35+ MPG highway. I believe that is well beyond what EPA says this car gets. The only problem is that I normally get somewhere around 15~16 MPG, thanks to my lead foot.
The pattern:
MPG 
?!?!?! 
RE: MPG concerns and such, though I agree that the automatics of today have vastly improved from the gas-hoggers of yore, no machine can beat a human brain in terms of modulating gas usage. When I really want/need to save gas (running on empty?), I've gotten up to 23+ MPG local city-driving, and ~35+ MPG highway. I believe that is well beyond what EPA says this car gets. The only problem is that I normally get somewhere around 15~16 MPG, thanks to my lead foot.
The pattern:
MPG ?!?!?!
