rgray80

I've noticed that just about every vehicle MB makes today has the same 7-speed transmission, albeit modified and tuned for their respectively models. I was just curious why haven't they did a complete overhaul of their trannys and perhaps move up to a 8-speed or 9-speed? Even the new 2015 C63 and S65s have the same 7-speed MCT as the older predecessors and even the 2012 C63 trannys are just a slight modification of the 2008-11's. I get the old saying 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it', but if there's better transmission technology out there, why not adopt it?

johnny--2k

I wouldn't say it's a slight modification from 08-11 to the 12 and newer. Yes, both 7 speeds, but the 08-11 is a standard 7 speed, w/ a torque converter. The newer MCT in 12 and up is a multi clutch, (wet-clutch start) 7-speed planetary, so no torque converter at all, and much faster shift speeds plus the addition of S+ and Race Start.

chrisridebike8

And let's not forget MB is making steps (perhaps slow ones) towards dual clutch boxes. SLS, CLA, GT-S. I think eventually everything will have a dual clutch box but they maybe be a little bit behind the competitors.

Merc63

Tell me what the hell you need an 8 speed or 9?? Are you a semi truck driver?

The 7 speed is a good tranny. Shifts good and is reliable.

Wobble64

Mercedes is about to launch the successor to the 7 speed transmission, e.g. in the new crossover, the GLE. It will have 9 speeds.

johnny--2k

This too... 7 speeds is more than enough. Anything more is just overkill, really intended for fuel economy, and if that's your goal with this car well.... lets be honest, your driving the wrong car.

tfthach13

Dont' fix what ain't broken.

But seriously, I agree with others that anything more gears than 7 would be overkill. If you get a chance to drive a Lexus IS-F (8 gears), you will understand why. It literally cannot decide what gear it wants to stay in.

As a side note, MB's old 5 speed transmissions are pretty damn good too!

ToXicXxX

My Old S4's DSG was horrid. It thought it needed to be in 7th gear at 60km/h. It's ****ty.

Remember when the Mercedes 7 speed came out? It was the saving grace of MB. Far more advanced then anyone else.

rgray80

Really, why do people think that fuel efficiency means sub-standard performance? I keep hearing people on here alot saying things like 'if you're looking to save fuel, don't buy a C63'. Fuel efficient vehicles is just advancement in technology. Who wouldn't want a high performance car that's also good on fuel? If that's the case then I guess the GTR must be a sub-standard performing car, or the CTS-V. Hell, even the 2015 C63 must be sub-standard since that too have better fuel efficiency. Its not about saving money at the pump, it's about getting more power out of an engine using less resources.

Sorry for he rant, but it irks me when people say things along the line like 'if you wanna save fuel, go buy a Prius'

BLKROKT

The GT-S has the best transmission I've ever driven. Lightning fast. If they start putting that in all AMGs going forward, I'll be very happy

rgray80

I've driven an 08 IS-F with its 8-speed and I'll admit it did shifted quite often, but it was always smooth and fluid. And that's a 6 year old vehicle. Who's to say that the 8-speed hasnt been refined and perfected? Now 9-speeds are starting to emerge and I will say that might be overkill. But it's just history repeating itself. I love the C63 just like everyone else and I love the advancements they made. I'm just sayin that in my opinion I feel that MB didn't put enough focus in their trannys as in the rest of their cars.

johnny--2k

I'm not saying it means sub standard performance by any mean. I'm just saying, adding gears to the transmission, in most cases, is usually directly related to an attempt to increase fuel economy. In the case of these cars, fuel economy is not the end goal, it's performance, so adding gears is the least of their concerns when it comes to design and mechanical performance.

Diabolis

Because it does. Fuel efficiency and high performance are two very different goals and almost always mutually exclusive. Same goes for the number of gears in the transmission. Until cars start cruising at 400 km/h, anything more than 7 is overkill. My 25-year-old old 911 Turbo only had 4 gears and it could pretty much still reach the same top speeds as the C63. It's about fuel efficiency, not performance.

If you want to save fuel, go buy a Prius.

CarHopper

I don't understand how someone can get "behind" with technology today. Obviously the m3 e9x has a great tranny... MB should keep up

alexmtl

Not true. More gears also means more performance if the gearbox is fast enough since you'll spend more time in the ideal powerband.

Mb is far behind with their MCT, and whoever thinks the contrary should seriously test drive a DCT from BMW. Or a pdk from Porsche. Or a dsg from Audi...

johnny--2k

I disagree, too many gears means too much hunting, like the IS-F. I think 7 is plenty, even 6 is probably enough. Anything more is overkill.

As far as technology though, I agree 100%! The PDK is a phenomenal transmission, and MB is definitely way behind on that standpoint. I have not driven a DSG or DCT so i can't comment on those.

QWKSNKE

I agree but it isn't because of not enough gears as it is shifting speed. The other cars you mention having extra speeds benefit from them because of being so much lower in torque. The 63's don't need it because of their torque output. However, they could benefit from 7th gear having a little taller gear ratio

johnny--2k

None of those transmissions have more gears though, all of them are 7 speeds. And as far as shift speeds, with shift speeds of 100 ms in the AMG Speedshift MCT, that's pretty impressive, but then when you drive a PDK that shifts in 40 ms, it's CRAZY impressive! My mom has a new Porsche Macan S and it always amazes me how quickly it shifts when I am home and take it out for a drive.

PeterUbers

Shifting at 40 or 100ms, with all due respect, is not likely going to be felt by most as much as poor vs superior intelligence in tranny software for shift mapping and knowing when to be in what gear, responding to driver input as intended, etc. Though I've never driven pdk, dsg, or dct I suspect they do this better

johnny--2k

Agreed, but driving the PDK in comparison to my 09 C63 is night and day difference. I have not driven a new MCT trans, so I couldn't compare the two.

natman316

I think the only reason they are keeping the old transmission is to save cost.

After driving other vehicles with DSG, DCT, PDK or the 8 speed zf, the MCT feels subpar. Its slow to respond (paddle lag) and doesnt shift/react as fast as a true dct, and its not as smooth as the 8 speed zf (nor does it feel as fast). Maybe it will be improved in its second generation in the 2015 C63 but it will still be behind its competitors from Audi and BMW on the transmission front. the electric steering and MCT for me are deal breakers for the new C63.

Diabolis

It is about cost and the intended use of the car. The C63 is primarily a luxury daily driver vehicle that will stay in C mode 95% of the time, and for this the MCT is ideal. If you actually track the car, the paddle delay is nowhere hear as large when the TCU "expects" you to change the gear, so the difference when it really matters (i.e. in a track setting instead of the street when you're just playing with it at 3-4K RPM) is minimal.

Yes, Audi has a DCT on their 4/5 series offerings, but the rest of the car sucks in so many ways that you can't really even put the two in the same category. Porsche is also not in the same category for different reasons, let alone the price bracket. The BMW M3/4 is the only real competition to the C63, and while for track use I'd take the M3/4 over the C63 because of its handling precision, a properly equipped M3/4 comes at a considerably higher price point than the C63, plus the C63 is superior or "more satisfying" as a daily driver in all other areas.

Lastly, Merc already has a proper DCT (that was used in the SLS and is on the new GT) so they're certainly not behind. It is simply a matter of cost, intended purpose and the "amount of car" that you get at a certain price point.

ToXicXxX

DCT's make for an alright daily driver, though there is certainly times you notice them...

Now the old BMW SMG transmission? What a nightmare to drive daily.

natman316

Well for alot of us I'm sure we stay in M or S+ more than 5% of the time. And if daily driving is the main concern, why not use a traditional auto? That way it is completely smooth. From my experience with PDK and DSG, on the track there is a noticeable difference and on the street its not any worse than MCT.

jcfay

Jeez - I only drive in C about 5% of the time... just when it's cold. I'm good with the 7 speed too. Not sure that another gear or two would add anything, at least to my layman's point of view.