Mikey52

Hi Guys,

So I've got a 2011 C300 Manual. I get this very weird feeling when getting into 1st gear. (Starting from a dead stop). As I come off the clutch and you start to feel the transmission engage, it feels like the clutch is slipping for half a second and then all of the sudden hooks up.

I've been driving manuals all my life and it's a noticeably sloppy feeling in 1st gear only. It makes me feel like an amateur because for the life of me I can't get a smooth start.

Anyone else have this problem? It goes away after the car has been driven for about 10mins..

Sportstick

Since new, I've had what I would describe as a slight shudder at the exact moment you describe. It is solved with a slightly higher engine speed before engaging the clutch, but it never goes away, warmed up or not.

maverickvii

I experienced the same although at least for me, slightly higher RPMs (as prev said) and a slower press of the pedal relieved the problem.

Mikey52

Thanks for the feedback guys. It just doesn't feel right to me, I'm contemplating bringing it in to the dealer for a little check up.

Sportstick

With just about any issue regarding the manual transmission, my otherwise very good dealer admits they see so few of these (in other words, none, around here) that they don't really know what "normal" is for them. Hope you find someone with more experience. I bought the car knowing the trans was the relative weak link for MB, after I would not accept BMWs idiocy in removing any possible spare tire storage space....but I still miss the BMW transmission. If you haven't driven one...DON'T...it will just make you feel worse.

Glyn M Ruck

The Benz MT is a clunker but it sounds as though something is wrong. Clutch plate, pressure plate, flywheel facing finish or hydraulics - or a combo of these. Make them check it out.

To me Benz MT's spoil the driving experience.

noka

I've had a couple of BMW's with manuals that were not so much fun to drive. Some were made by ZF (an arm of GM I believe). One of my M5's was so notchy in 1st and 2nd that it was horrible until it warmed up. Even then it was tough to shift sometimes. One of my M3's (E36) was just sloppy and I knew several people who "money" shifted their way into a required engine replacement. I have never driven the MB manual but I'm not so sure BMW is so great,... it just depends on the vehicle.

Sportstick

Wow...it's been awhile since I owned one, and it does sound as if things have changed. Their gearshift used to be legendary. Thanks for the heads-up...if I consider changing over for the next car, I will be sure to have an extended test drive including cold starts.

Kreuzfeuer

Not sure if it makes you feel any better, but mine has a similar feel to it, and mine is based on the older SLK 6-speed. 1st gear is miserably short, but it does help when creeping along at 3mph in traffic. Once I'm out of 1st, the gearbox is lovely. I wouldn't describe it as a smooth transmission, but the throws are nice and short and there is very little vibration through the shifter when engaged, unlike the Z cars.

noka

Don't misunderstand. I cannot comment on current (or even recent past) models. My last M5 was an '03 and my last E36 M3 was a '99. It could be things have changed.

Sportstick

Got it, but it can go back and forth, I guess. My last one wasn't even in the same decade as your oldest one! Car choices got sidetracked by working in the domestic industry.

Spec_Davis

higher rev's will work and will solve the problem. did you get it check by the dealer?

Glyn M Ruck

Getrag gearboxes fitted by BMW could absorb huge torque but were notchy beasts. ZF were generally very good.

noka

Actually, you are right! I had it partly wrong. My M5 had the Getrag and my M3 had the ZF. The Getrag was notchy. The ZF was smooth but a bit 'rubbery' (due to some bushings as I recall) and if you shifted too hard, too much flexibility allowed (for example) grabbing 2nd instead of 4th on a downshift from 5th, with disastrous consequences. Thanks for reminding me.

Mikey52

The higher revs did work. On all my other manuals, when getting into 1st gear I would try to almost "catch" first gear. - Like have it hook up at the lowest rpms possible. I felt this was the smoothest way to get moving from a stop. With my C300 this cant be done - It slips for half a second and then hooks up.

So yes, the higher revs solves the problem but this bothers me a bit because I feel like I'm riding the clutch.

As mentioned in my original post, this is only an issue after a cold start. 5-7 mins into the drive, 1st gear is good to go and I can use my old method.

I hope what I'm saying makes sense? It's tough to describe these things.

Sportstick

It makes perfect sense, and the first paragraph well-captures my experience, except mine never goes away, warm or not. Have you also noticed that, unless your 1-2 upshift catches the falling revs spot on, the car lurches a bit with the somewhat "grabby" engagement? It's more sensitive than any other car I've had, although when perfectly executed, those shifts are silky smooth.

Mikey52

Absolutely. There's no sloppy shifting allowed with these cars.
I'm sorry to hear your problem doesn't go away after a few minutes. I guess you just get used to a new method of driving and it becomes second nature.