Miss the Stick - making the most of M mode
07-19-2013, 04:54 PM
#1
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Miss the Stick - making the most of M mode
There are plenty of times the hamfisted mannerisms of the automated manual shifting frustrates me, but this morning was a real doozy.
Coming to catch a left-turn light and it decides to fumble a downshift or two as I'm braking. Then, once I have added a little trail-braking to compensate for the lack of compression braking, the car throws me into second gear mid corner upsetting what I have done to compensate. The whole thing was about as smooth as a ginger at a dance party.
I've had hesitations in downshifts before, and this wasn't due to me carrying too much speed on entry. I sorely miss having a stick, but I love the car otherwise.
I am going to get comfortable with left foot braking and use the M mode more to try to learn its idiosyncrasies. You guys figure anything out to tame this beast and make the most of a slushbox?
Have a nice weekend
Coming to catch a left-turn light and it decides to fumble a downshift or two as I'm braking. Then, once I have added a little trail-braking to compensate for the lack of compression braking, the car throws me into second gear mid corner upsetting what I have done to compensate. The whole thing was about as smooth as a ginger at a dance party.
I've had hesitations in downshifts before, and this wasn't due to me carrying too much speed on entry. I sorely miss having a stick, but I love the car otherwise.
I am going to get comfortable with left foot braking and use the M mode more to try to learn its idiosyncrasies. You guys figure anything out to tame this beast and make the most of a slushbox?
Have a nice weekend
07-19-2013, 04:57 PM
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a car that can't do the throttle reset.
The trans in the 32 is absolutely horrendous. I hope the 55's is at least a little better. Only thing I can say is downshift well in advance, cause it takes ten seconds to downshift after pushing the lever.
07-19-2013, 05:08 PM
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I do have a Eurocharged tune (plug and go variety)
It should also be noted I was driving in S mode at the time, which I am probably in 90% of the time that I'm not running through some canyon or something. I have been manually downshifting in S coming to corners a lot recently with pretty predictable results. There is always some hesitation, but this morning was ugly
It should also be noted I was driving in S mode at the time, which I am probably in 90% of the time that I'm not running through some canyon or something. I have been manually downshifting in S coming to corners a lot recently with pretty predictable results. There is always some hesitation, but this morning was ugly
07-19-2013, 05:10 PM
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a car that can't do the throttle reset.
I do have a Eurocharged tune (plug and go variety)
It should also be noted I was driving in S mode at the time, which I am probably in 90% of the time that I'm not running through some canyon or something. I have been manually downshifting in S coming to corners a lot recently with pretty predictable results. There is always some hesitation, but this morning was ugly
It should also be noted I was driving in S mode at the time, which I am probably in 90% of the time that I'm not running through some canyon or something. I have been manually downshifting in S coming to corners a lot recently with pretty predictable results. There is always some hesitation, but this morning was ugly
07-19-2013, 05:38 PM
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a particularly sore subject for you, I know 
I didn't think that the adaptive transmission characteristics would effect manual shifting since it is a direct command without need for the trans computer's interpretation. But- that wouldn't be the strangest thing I've seen on a German automobile.
btw pointman- I did read that some people have had success on throttle reset by pushing the pedal all the way down w/o going to kickdown - might want to try that if you haven't
I didn't think that the adaptive transmission characteristics would effect manual shifting since it is a direct command without need for the trans computer's interpretation. But- that wouldn't be the strangest thing I've seen on a German automobile.
btw pointman- I did read that some people have had success on throttle reset by pushing the pedal all the way down w/o going to kickdown - might want to try that if you haven't
07-19-2013, 05:58 PM
#7
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If I want my car to shift down quickly, for instance before a take over, I pull
the stick (in S-mode) to the left and hold it there for a sec o two, and then
it will shift down at least 2 steps and I´m ready to go! Very useful trick in my opinion..
the stick (in S-mode) to the left and hold it there for a sec o two, and then
it will shift down at least 2 steps and I´m ready to go! Very useful trick in my opinion..
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07-19-2013, 06:04 PM
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That's really cool! Does it go to the lowest possible gear then? I assume it will do that in M mode as well?!
Something to try on my drive home from work- thanks amgen
Something to try on my drive home from work- thanks amgen
07-19-2013, 06:15 PM
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a car that can't do the throttle reset.
Thanks for the tip on the reset. Will try.. and fail. but will still try.
07-19-2013, 06:22 PM
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Haha, funny how I do it all the time on the right side to get back to D when I'm done downshifting in S mode. Amateur hour
07-19-2013, 08:41 PM
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How much was the Kleemann tcu tune? How is it applied to the car? Eurocharged has one but ive seen issues on other threads that so far seem unresolved.
07-20-2013, 12:01 PM
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2005 Ferrari F430, 2006 E55 AMG, 2005 C55 AMG (Sold), 2001 E430
This sounds very interesting. Anybody else out there with a Kleemann TCU tune? I was considering the Eurocharged one, but read too many people having issues with it...
07-21-2013, 09:13 AM
#15
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Kleemann TCU?
-Faster gearshifting, holds the gear longer at agressive driving.
Maybe more, I´m very pleased with the software!
Before the gearbox felt really slow, now it´s more crisp, I enjoy it every time
I´m behind the wheel. For sure.
-Faster gearshifting, holds the gear longer at agressive driving.
Maybe more, I´m very pleased with the software!
Before the gearbox felt really slow, now it´s more crisp, I enjoy it every time
I´m behind the wheel. For sure.
07-21-2013, 10:36 AM
#16
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On my 55, S-mode seems to be a 60/40 compromise between what I want the trans. to do and what the computer thinks it should be doing. M-mode is 90-95% all me. After 20+ of manual trans. driving and borrowing some friend's DCT-equipped cars, I'd prefer 100% control, but Mercedes thought better of it. 
07-22-2013, 06:15 PM
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Looking at their website, I think Kleemann is too rich for my blood... I couldn't get an exact number, but is it over a grand for our C55 TCU tune?!?
07-22-2013, 06:54 PM
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Yeah, I'll have to give them a ring when I get really serious/a little more coin. Were you able to load the tune remotely with your own laptop, or did you have to go somewhere?
07-23-2013, 12:43 PM
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SOLD - 2005 C55
Eurocharge is a great performance bargain for the ECU but Kleeman sounds a safer way for the TCU. Wish they had some kind of 'mid-summer sale'.
Ghiaguy - please keep us posted if you get a quote as I really love to join!
Yeah, seriously I do miss a good stick shifter. No rev-matching, no DCT, just a simple goodness... wait a minute, YOU ALREADY HAVE ONE!!!
One day, I'll change my name to C55Alfaguy!
Ghiaguy - please keep us posted if you get a quote as I really love to join!
Yeah, seriously I do miss a good stick shifter. No rev-matching, no DCT, just a simple goodness... wait a minute, YOU ALREADY HAVE ONE!!!
One day, I'll change my name to C55Alfaguy!
07-23-2013, 03:00 PM
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08-13-2013, 05:21 PM
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An update:
The more I use M mode as intended, the more I like it. I needed to stop expecting the instant tactile response of a manual gearbox and embrace what AMG designed. It's actually better than most 'flappy paddle' autos from the 2000s. (DCTs excluded)
I found that I was instinctively adjusting my shifts so they occurred before I got all over the throttle, when the car is perfectly happy applying a downshift or two (if held) as I'm accelerating. The key to this was practice with my timing on the downshift and a reset for the ECU. The tranny in M-mode still isn't perfect, and it generally shows its weakness with unpredictable downshifts under aggressive braking. (as I experienced in my first post) I have noticed that it is surprisingly adaptive and will improve with more spirited driving.
Curious: How many of you guys left foot brake when pushing the car? I've found it really helpful when driving a sporty car that is bound to an automatic tranny- the AMG is probably the best example yet.
Have a good one guys.
The more I use M mode as intended, the more I like it. I needed to stop expecting the instant tactile response of a manual gearbox and embrace what AMG designed. It's actually better than most 'flappy paddle' autos from the 2000s. (DCTs excluded)
I found that I was instinctively adjusting my shifts so they occurred before I got all over the throttle, when the car is perfectly happy applying a downshift or two (if held) as I'm accelerating. The key to this was practice with my timing on the downshift and a reset for the ECU. The tranny in M-mode still isn't perfect, and it generally shows its weakness with unpredictable downshifts under aggressive braking. (as I experienced in my first post) I have noticed that it is surprisingly adaptive and will improve with more spirited driving.
Curious: How many of you guys left foot brake when pushing the car? I've found it really helpful when driving a sporty car that is bound to an automatic tranny- the AMG is probably the best example yet.
Have a good one guys.
08-13-2013, 05:46 PM
#24
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Gotta agree with you Ghiaguy. I find myself really liking M-mode and actually choosing it most out if the 3 modes. And I will agree the rough and slightly unpredictable downshifts kill the sporty feeling at times. I even tried to rev match down shifts by left foot braking and tapping the accelerator but timing it was kind if hard, always gave me a bigger jolt than expected
08-13-2013, 06:05 PM
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