Gearbox
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Newbie
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 9
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Hunting for a c55
Gearbox
I've been in the market for a c55/clk55 for the past month - Havent found the right one.
Question on the gearbox - I havent been able to find any solid videos of people manually shifting up/down and how slow it really is.
To those who have experience with the car, is it THAT bad? I understand it is no where near as close to the modern day ZF's but do you still enjoy it?
Let me know your opinions!
Question on the gearbox - I havent been able to find any solid videos of people manually shifting up/down and how slow it really is.
To those who have experience with the car, is it THAT bad? I understand it is no where near as close to the modern day ZF's but do you still enjoy it?
Let me know your opinions!
Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 116
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From: Temecula, CA
'06 C55
There is definitely a delay. I am not a fan of it. I am usually in Sport mode when getting on the throttle, otherwise it's in Cruise mode.
The technology is too far behind. The modern day cars now a days are instant shifting and it's actually amazing.
The technology is too far behind. The modern day cars now a days are instant shifting and it's actually amazing.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 9
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Hunting for a c55
How long would you say the delay is from click to shift - a full second? Is it same regardless of up/down shift and independent of RPM/speed?
Any chance you've got video of your car shifting?
Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 116
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From: Temecula, CA
'06 C55
It's about half a second when in Manual mode. But as stated, Sport mode works just as well if not better since it shifts at the perfect time. Downshifting is instant downshifting. To be honest, I think Manual is useless.
Don't let the lack of "shifting" in Manual mode steer you away from the car. What is lacks in some areas, makes up for in other areas. I have my car on the market, but I have yet to push for the sale because I enjoy driving this car Monday through Friday to and from work.
It may not be the fastest car, but it is also not the slowest car. It's perfect for me since it's just me driving to work, which is about 75% highway. Comfortable enough to drive daily, but it's also got the AMG suspension that makes it feel like a sports car.
Don't let the lack of "shifting" in Manual mode steer you away from the car. What is lacks in some areas, makes up for in other areas. I have my car on the market, but I have yet to push for the sale because I enjoy driving this car Monday through Friday to and from work.
It may not be the fastest car, but it is also not the slowest car. It's perfect for me since it's just me driving to work, which is about 75% highway. Comfortable enough to drive daily, but it's also got the AMG suspension that makes it feel like a sports car.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Hunting for a c55
It's about half a second when in Manual mode. But as stated, Sport mode works just as well if not better since it shifts at the perfect time. Downshifting is instant downshifting. To be honest, I think Manual is useless.
Don't let the lack of "shifting" in Manual mode steer you away from the car. What is lacks in some areas, makes up for in other areas. I have my car on the market, but I have yet to push for the sale because I enjoy driving this car Monday through Friday to and from work.
It may not be the fastest car, but it is also not the slowest car. It's perfect for me since it's just me driving to work, which is about 75% highway. Comfortable enough to drive daily, but it's also got the AMG suspension that makes it feel like a sports car.
Don't let the lack of "shifting" in Manual mode steer you away from the car. What is lacks in some areas, makes up for in other areas. I have my car on the market, but I have yet to push for the sale because I enjoy driving this car Monday through Friday to and from work.
It may not be the fastest car, but it is also not the slowest car. It's perfect for me since it's just me driving to work, which is about 75% highway. Comfortable enough to drive daily, but it's also got the AMG suspension that makes it feel like a sports car.
The downshift is instant? That is good to hear, since that is what I see myself using the paddles (buttons) for any way. I'm not really looking for a true manual, or DCT feel. Just while I'm on the highway setting up a pass or two, manually drop down a gear and then punch it type of thing.
Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 116
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From: Temecula, CA
'06 C55
Believe me when I say you don't really need to do that when you have a V8 haha. But yes, dropping a gear (2 usually puts you at about 5k which is really harsh on the engine) helps getting out of situations.
It's best to roll on it and not punch it. Most people think it's ok to punch it, but in reality, all it is doing it harming your transmission, suspension and engine mounts. Roll on the throttle and you'll be fine.
You'll be happy with the car, it won't disappoint you. That's unless you buy one from someone sketch.
It's best to roll on it and not punch it. Most people think it's ok to punch it, but in reality, all it is doing it harming your transmission, suspension and engine mounts. Roll on the throttle and you'll be fine.
You'll be happy with the car, it won't disappoint you. That's unless you buy one from someone sketch.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,040
Likes: 125
From: Atlanta Metro
Current: C217 V12TT AMG Previously: C55 AMG, SL65 AMG
Go test drive one, it's not that bad. But it's definitely no PDK. When you're on it and the computer knows it, it shifts briskly enough for early 2000's technology. I have no issue with it.
If you're cruising and need to get out of a situation quickly, and you're in a strange spot in the fuel map/rev range, the car can definitely say "nuh uh...you're gonna have to wait".
If you're cruising and need to get out of a situation quickly, and you're in a strange spot in the fuel map/rev range, the car can definitely say "nuh uh...you're gonna have to wait".
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,064
Likes: 1
From: Canada
C55 AMG, 135i, 911 GT3, GLE43 AMG
It's all relative. Even when the C55 was new in 2005, it was noted that the shift speeds were not that impressive when shifting manually. Downshifts are quite acceptable, but there is a noticeable lag when upshifting, which makes it not very satisfying.
I agree with the notion that it's best to leave the shifting to be done automatically (in S mode if you want some fun). I find the AMG Speedshift tuning to be quite good in S mode when you are driving aggressively, especially at the track. It's smart enough to downshift on its own with heavy braking and not upshift to disturb the balance during cornering. Upshifts are crisp in automatic mode. And when in S automatic mode, the car will downshift pretty promptly if you are aggressive with the throttle input.
Of course, compared to modern dual clutch gearboxes, it is slow. But I find it still the shifts to be faster than any stickshift with a clutch pedal.
I agree with the notion that it's best to leave the shifting to be done automatically (in S mode if you want some fun). I find the AMG Speedshift tuning to be quite good in S mode when you are driving aggressively, especially at the track. It's smart enough to downshift on its own with heavy braking and not upshift to disturb the balance during cornering. Upshifts are crisp in automatic mode. And when in S automatic mode, the car will downshift pretty promptly if you are aggressive with the throttle input.
Of course, compared to modern dual clutch gearboxes, it is slow. But I find it still the shifts to be faster than any stickshift with a clutch pedal.
Last edited by PC Valkyrie; Jan 17, 2017 at 11:47 PM.
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