Column Shifter Question - C63S
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Joined: Apr 2015
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From: St. Louis, MO
2021 GLE53; 2018 Audi R8 V10 Plus
Column Shifter Question - C63S
Good evening,
I think I have fallen in love with the C63S. I can hardly believe I typed that but it is true. I feel like by saying those words I am cheating on my current car - 2014 Audi S5 (I truly love my S5 too!). When I bought it two years ago I swore to my wife I was going to keep it for at least 3-4 years. Now here I am confessing my love for another car! I have a family of 5 and the reality is that I was a dumba$$ for ever purchasing a 2 door coupe that seats FOUR.
So I took my wife to the MB dealership the week before last. I didn't take any convincing at all - she loves the C63S too! Loves it has 5 seats first and foremost, but also loves that it is sporty and classy at the same time. She even liked the exhaust note - I was shocked because that type of thing normally just annoys her. The only thing she does NOT like is the price tag...although I think I will be able to work that out so I have hope!
With all of that said, my only concern is the fact that it is an automatic. My S5 is an 6MT and I love it. When I drove the C63S it was exhilerating so I think I may be able to get over the ole stick shift, but I must admit the column shifter was very odd to me. It was the one and only thing I could find that I didn't like. So now looking for feedback - especially from anyone that may have gone from a manual transmission to the C63. What are thoughts on the column shifter? Were you able to easily adjust to it? Is there any upside to it? Please let me know your thoughts.
Thanks!
Jeremy
I think I have fallen in love with the C63S. I can hardly believe I typed that but it is true. I feel like by saying those words I am cheating on my current car - 2014 Audi S5 (I truly love my S5 too!). When I bought it two years ago I swore to my wife I was going to keep it for at least 3-4 years. Now here I am confessing my love for another car! I have a family of 5 and the reality is that I was a dumba$$ for ever purchasing a 2 door coupe that seats FOUR.
So I took my wife to the MB dealership the week before last. I didn't take any convincing at all - she loves the C63S too! Loves it has 5 seats first and foremost, but also loves that it is sporty and classy at the same time. She even liked the exhaust note - I was shocked because that type of thing normally just annoys her. The only thing she does NOT like is the price tag...although I think I will be able to work that out so I have hope!
With all of that said, my only concern is the fact that it is an automatic. My S5 is an 6MT and I love it. When I drove the C63S it was exhilerating so I think I may be able to get over the ole stick shift, but I must admit the column shifter was very odd to me. It was the one and only thing I could find that I didn't like. So now looking for feedback - especially from anyone that may have gone from a manual transmission to the C63. What are thoughts on the column shifter? Were you able to easily adjust to it? Is there any upside to it? Please let me know your thoughts.
Thanks!
Jeremy
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Joined: May 2015
Posts: 76
Likes: 30
C63P
I should probably stay out of this thread as I've never been an MT driver... but my last car (EvoX SST sequential dual-clutch automagic) had a lever in the center that I'd always use for shifting (down for upshift, up for downshift). I would almost always switch to "manual" mode and shift the gears with the stick. I guess I wanted the fun of manual without the traffic-hassle?
Now, the column shifter DOES take some getting used to. There are no upsides to it, but it is standard MB stuff now (my GL450 has it too). If you're like me, it will take a while to un-train yourself as you get in the car and realize you need to handle the stalk normally used for windshield wipers! And when parking... gotta press that button, takes me like 5 seconds each time to make sure I put it in park as my muscle reflexes expect me to push the gear lever up.
The paddle shifters (to me) feel a bit cheap and clicky. Being on the steering-wheel doesn't help. The EVO/GT-R have column-mounted paddles and feel more "right" to me. But then again, you shouldn't be shifting gears mid-corner in this car anyway!
This is all a matter of training yourself and will be second nature. You WILL miss manual shifting as I've heard/learned/seen time and time again. But you will not be disappointed with the fun of this car.
Sorry for the long rant-ish post. GET THE CAR YOU WILL LOVE IT!
Now, the column shifter DOES take some getting used to. There are no upsides to it, but it is standard MB stuff now (my GL450 has it too). If you're like me, it will take a while to un-train yourself as you get in the car and realize you need to handle the stalk normally used for windshield wipers! And when parking... gotta press that button, takes me like 5 seconds each time to make sure I put it in park as my muscle reflexes expect me to push the gear lever up.
The paddle shifters (to me) feel a bit cheap and clicky. Being on the steering-wheel doesn't help. The EVO/GT-R have column-mounted paddles and feel more "right" to me. But then again, you shouldn't be shifting gears mid-corner in this car anyway!
This is all a matter of training yourself and will be second nature. You WILL miss manual shifting as I've heard/learned/seen time and time again. But you will not be disappointed with the fun of this car.
Sorry for the long rant-ish post. GET THE CAR YOU WILL LOVE IT!
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 324
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From: Chapel Hill, NC
2015 C63S E1; 2016 C450 AMG
The only time you use the shifter is when you start the car or when you go into reverse. The rest of the time, you let the car shift itself or you use the delightful paddles.
Once I got used to it (after about 2 days), I actually prefer not having a stick in the middle of the console. It leaves more room for the touch pad and the center console storage area.
I don't really understand people who complain that it is old school. The transmission control stalk is nothing like the old huge heavy mechanical levers for traditional automatic transmissions. Rather, it is about the size of a turn signal stalk and has no mechanical linkage at all. Once I start driving, I don't even notice it is there.
I drove manual transmissions exclusively for 30 years (until 2013) including a 2010 CTS-V with a manual. Once I internalized that dual clutch transmissions and even the MCT on the C63S shift faster and better than any manual (regardless of your skill level) and yield better acceleration times, I was over the whole "must have a manual" thing.
Once I got used to it (after about 2 days), I actually prefer not having a stick in the middle of the console. It leaves more room for the touch pad and the center console storage area.
I don't really understand people who complain that it is old school. The transmission control stalk is nothing like the old huge heavy mechanical levers for traditional automatic transmissions. Rather, it is about the size of a turn signal stalk and has no mechanical linkage at all. Once I start driving, I don't even notice it is there.
I drove manual transmissions exclusively for 30 years (until 2013) including a 2010 CTS-V with a manual. Once I internalized that dual clutch transmissions and even the MCT on the C63S shift faster and better than any manual (regardless of your skill level) and yield better acceleration times, I was over the whole "must have a manual" thing.
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Joined: Jun 2008
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2016 C63S
haha yeah I know what you are saying. I've had a few loaners with the "odd" column shifter and I test drove the new C63s and I don't care for it but its easy to use and as soon as you get going its over until you park it. It definitely did not deter me from ordering a MY2016 C63s 
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BMW F30 335i M-Sport
I previously had a manual CTS-V for 4 years and am currently in a sport auto F30 335i. My fiancé works for a local MB dealership which gets me some great discounts so I've been heavily interested in the new C63 but this is one area that I am concerned about as well.... coming from a manual I can honestly say I use the shift lever in my auto BMW waaaaay more than I do the paddles when DC traffic opens up a bit and I have some opportunity to play around a bit... it feels more natural to just move the stick over to sport and pull/push as needed... when I test drove the new M3, it was auto and I found myself using the shift lever much more than the paddles as well so I suspect the MB not having it will feel a bit alien to me... although I have yet to drive a new C63 AMG so time will tell I suppose...
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Joined: May 2015
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335d xDrive, C63S on order
So coming from the UK almost everyone here learns to drive a manual. The reason is if you learn in an automatic your not allowed to drive a manual where as learn in a manual you can drive both. Most cars are also manual here so having this conversation with quite a few people here they don't get the point of an automatic.
I was of that mindset until I had a car with quite a heavy clutch which when stuck in traffic was just a pain to drive. Manuals suck when you in slow stop / go traffic.
So got my first automatic car I made sure it had paddle shifters but actually ended up rarely using them to be honest. For most driving I just don't miss it but when I want to have that experience I find paddle shifters cover the itch. After all I don't think it's the clutch and biting point lark that matters but simply picking you gear yourself which you can still do.
Add in that these days automatics are faster to 60, use less fuel generally as they have more gears and it just seems an obvious choice to me. I doubt you'll regret it.
I do agree that only having the paddle shifters for this is a shame but at the same time I like the extra space it gives in the centre console. It just looks nicer to me.
I was of that mindset until I had a car with quite a heavy clutch which when stuck in traffic was just a pain to drive. Manuals suck when you in slow stop / go traffic.
So got my first automatic car I made sure it had paddle shifters but actually ended up rarely using them to be honest. For most driving I just don't miss it but when I want to have that experience I find paddle shifters cover the itch. After all I don't think it's the clutch and biting point lark that matters but simply picking you gear yourself which you can still do.
Add in that these days automatics are faster to 60, use less fuel generally as they have more gears and it just seems an obvious choice to me. I doubt you'll regret it.
I do agree that only having the paddle shifters for this is a shame but at the same time I like the extra space it gives in the centre console. It just looks nicer to me.
Last edited by FastLaneJB; Jun 23, 2015 at 02:45 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 324
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From: Chapel Hill, NC
2015 C63S E1; 2016 C450 AMG
I previously had a manual CTS-V for 4 years and am currently in a sport auto F30 335i. My fiancé works for a local MB dealership which gets me some great discounts so I've been heavily interested in the new C63 but this is one area that I am concerned about as well.... coming from a manual I can honestly say I use the shift lever in my auto BMW waaaaay more than I do the paddles when DC traffic opens up a bit and I have some opportunity to play around a bit... it feels more natural to just move the stick over to sport and pull/push as needed... when I test drove the new M3, it was auto and I found myself using the shift lever much more than the paddles as well so I suspect the MB not having it will feel a bit alien to me... although I have yet to drive a new C63 AMG so time will tell I suppose...
I find it much more intuitive and easier to pull a paddle than taking a hand off the wheel and reaching for a lever at my side.
If you feel that this will never be comfortable for you, then the C63 is not the car for you. On the bright side, the transmission in the C63S is very responsive and works quite well with its paddles.
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2016 C63S
During my test drive of the c63 I found myself using the paddles the entire time because the first time I used them to downshift I heard this noise from the exhaust that is just so addictive. All those pops and crackles will make you forget about the column shifter in a hurry.
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From: Houston, TX
2014 E63 AMGs, 2015 F-150 Lariat, 2010 Porsche C4S
Actually if you just brake to a stop and open the door, the tranny shifts into park automatically. I found this to be the easiest way in my ML63. Never have to touch the stalk.
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'20 GLC300 SUV
The only time you use the shifter is when you start the car or when you go into reverse. The rest of the time, you let the car shift itself or you use the delightful paddles.
Once I got used to it (after about 2 days), I actually prefer not having a stick in the middle of the console. It leaves more room for the touch pad and the center console storage area.
I don't really understand people who complain that it is old school. The transmission control stalk is nothing like the old huge heavy mechanical levers for traditional automatic transmissions. Rather, it is about the size of a turn signal stalk and has no mechanical linkage at all. Once I start driving, I don't even notice it is there.
I drove manual transmissions exclusively for 30 years (until 2013) including a 2010 CTS-V with a manual. Once I internalized that dual clutch transmissions and even the MCT on the C63S shift faster and better than any manual (regardless of your skill level) and yield better acceleration times, I was over the whole "must have a manual" thing.
Once I got used to it (after about 2 days), I actually prefer not having a stick in the middle of the console. It leaves more room for the touch pad and the center console storage area.
I don't really understand people who complain that it is old school. The transmission control stalk is nothing like the old huge heavy mechanical levers for traditional automatic transmissions. Rather, it is about the size of a turn signal stalk and has no mechanical linkage at all. Once I start driving, I don't even notice it is there.
I drove manual transmissions exclusively for 30 years (until 2013) including a 2010 CTS-V with a manual. Once I internalized that dual clutch transmissions and even the MCT on the C63S shift faster and better than any manual (regardless of your skill level) and yield better acceleration times, I was over the whole "must have a manual" thing.
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From: Texas
C63 507 AMG DA Car #19
Valve... you don't have to be totally stopped for it to go into park..... was backing up and cracked door open to see the curb and got a surprise as go went into park.... can't use the open door aid to back-up. Kind of an oh-shi$ moment.
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2016 c63s
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2004
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2014 E63S; AMS 100 octane ECU dyno tune; EDOK TCU tune; BB intakes; sprintbooster
Get the c63s
I have a 4, 3 and 1 year old and the automatic amg sedan was a great way to have a fast family mobile and have a kick *** car even when the family is not in it
I have a 4, 3 and 1 year old and the automatic amg sedan was a great way to have a fast family mobile and have a kick *** car even when the family is not in it
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335d xDrive, C63S on order
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GT3 Supercup
Steering Column shifter will grow on you to the point that you will eventually think everyone else is behind the ball for keeping the center column alive. That is what I thought when I jumped in an M3 the other day.
Dropping into park automatically as well when you open the door is VERY nice and safe.
I admit I didn't like the system at first either (On my ML). But it is a very good idea..... You will learn to like it.
Dropping into park automatically as well when you open the door is VERY nice and safe.
I admit I didn't like the system at first either (On my ML). But it is a very good idea..... You will learn to like it.
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Joined: Jun 2008
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2016 C63S
