Miss the Stick - making the most of M mode
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 51
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From: San Francisco, California
SOLD - 2005 C55
I actually use left foot-braking all the time. C36 was my first AT (my own), and I never doubted it ws designed to be used so. Actually this works for MT great as well together w/ heel and toe.
Accepting M for what it is, sounds tough though makes better sense. I keep in S-mode as she typically happy and gear stay in corner and often shift down just to listen the Baritone. Do you guys have paddle-shifter (perhaps from C63 or 2007+clk55)? I still have buttons and sometimes hard to reach in corner.
Accepting M for what it is, sounds tough though makes better sense. I keep in S-mode as she typically happy and gear stay in corner and often shift down just to listen the Baritone. Do you guys have paddle-shifter (perhaps from C63 or 2007+clk55)? I still have buttons and sometimes hard to reach in corner.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,155
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From: SF Bay Area
C55 AMG, 300D-T & Karmann Ghia
The C63 paddles are my most wanted mod at the moment & I think its Saab that has a killer writeup on the conversion. I just really don't want to screw the pooch somewhere during the project since its my daily driver & I'd rather work with camel spiders than airbags.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 51
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From: San Francisco, California
SOLD - 2005 C55
Hey Saaboteur,
I've read your awesome write-up few times but just can't jump with the idea with 'what if'... (attaching link in case someone looking)
Ghiaguy: Our shifter never like DSG, and can't go there. Still, I have feeling we change our shifters, we end-up opting for Kleeman/EC!!!
https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c...rofit-c55.html
It's funny to have only the Brabus shifter when all else is stock, but this is slightly longer and thought would be absolutely perfect IF I can pull the shifter in brain "trigger".
https://mbworld.org/forums/w218/4457...t-paddles.html
I've read your awesome write-up few times but just can't jump with the idea with 'what if'... (attaching link in case someone looking)
Ghiaguy: Our shifter never like DSG, and can't go there. Still, I have feeling we change our shifters, we end-up opting for Kleeman/EC!!!
https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c...rofit-c55.html
It's funny to have only the Brabus shifter when all else is stock, but this is slightly longer and thought would be absolutely perfect IF I can pull the shifter in brain "trigger".
https://mbworld.org/forums/w218/4457...t-paddles.html
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,428
Likes: 288
From: New Zealand
I find S mode pretty good. I presume the car learns over time? The tcu usually holds to 3000rpm now since it knows i might punch it at any time- very useful after turning at intersections.
I usually select the gear in M before the corner. It upshifts at redline anyway.
I usually select the gear in M before the corner. It upshifts at redline anyway.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,155
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From: SF Bay Area
C55 AMG, 300D-T & Karmann Ghia
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From: nj
a car that can't do the throttle reset.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2009
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From: Canada
eclectic assortment of cars
Hmmm...I don't think so? Whilst I rarely bang the car off the limiter, if memory serves the C55 will hold the gear in M mode until a shift is requested (apparently by morse code) - but will shift in S. A quick check of the manual confirms - page 167. The manual warns against shifting in red, to be sure to do so before hand.
I typically just leave it in S because of the shift speed, but I like to try to select the gear for a corner and us the paddles to shift down to a desired gear.
I typically just leave it in S because of the shift speed, but I like to try to select the gear for a corner and us the paddles to shift down to a desired gear.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2011
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From: New Zealand
Yep early 209. I think the later 209s are like the c55 and hold the gear no matter what. I have found that i don't need to upshift mid corner. Usually I've straightened out before i need to shift.
The last owner must have babied it around. It used to change at 1700rpm when i first go it.
The last owner must have babied it around. It used to change at 1700rpm when i first go it.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 869
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2013 c63 Magnuson SCed
C55s will not upshift on their own in M-mode. They bounce off of the rev-limiter until something breaks, ie; the limiter itself, expensive parts or your will, but one of those three will break. 
And LFB is the only way to quicken up this trans. when needed. Use the LFB to "load up" the slack in the drivetrain and be merry.
And LFB is the only way to quicken up this trans. when needed. Use the LFB to "load up" the slack in the drivetrain and be merry.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 263
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles, CA
03 C32 AMG
More like W and S 
Winter mode and standard mode. Winter mode starts off in 2nd and possibly shifts lower, standard is just the plain jane standard shifting file with a first gear start.
Winter mode and standard mode. Winter mode starts off in 2nd and possibly shifts lower, standard is just the plain jane standard shifting file with a first gear start.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 67
Likes: 6
From: Qc, Canada
2005 C55
In ''M'' mode can you start in 2nd gear, also at low speed do you know if your car downshift automatically like a stock tcu. Exemple, if you stop the car in 3rd gear, do you restart in 3rd or automatically downshift in first gear?
''M'' mode is it a real ''gear hold''?
Thanks
''M'' mode is it a real ''gear hold''?
Thanks
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,155
Likes: 4
From: SF Bay Area
C55 AMG, 300D-T & Karmann Ghia
In ''M'' mode can you start in 2nd gear, also at low speed do you know if your car downshift automatically like a stock tcu. Exemple, if you stop the car in 3rd gear, do you restart in 3rd or automatically downshift in first gear?
''M'' mode is it a real ''gear hold''?
Thanks
''M'' mode is it a real ''gear hold''?
Thanks
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco, California
SOLD - 2005 C55
Does ECU reset make any difference in S mode? It made world of difference in C mode but S seems to be about the same. Once I discovered the S mode, I stopped this weekly ECU reset. Funnily, C mode is very uncomfortable with jurky shifting (S mode in stop and go is also poor) - I guess sign of good sports sedan. For me, 2nd gear works great in stop and go scenario.
Thanks.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,155
Likes: 4
From: SF Bay Area
C55 AMG, 300D-T & Karmann Ghia
I notice a pronounced difference will all automatic shifting after the ECU reset, in both C and S modes. I only use the car in S and M modes because I've found the reluctance to downshift in C to be bothersome. Though C is pretty ideal for stop-n-go since it doesn't select 1st gear, just don't try to shoot for a gap in traffic...
