How many folks use the manual shift and....
Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 162
Likes: 13
From: San Diego
'05 E55
I use it more and more. I find this car tends to "lug" a bit in some gear ranges, especially in 5th/Drive. I am constantly going to 4th to prevent a big kickdown, or a continuation of the "lugging" when accelerating mildly. I also have an exhaust system installed, and the lugging is more noticable audibly until I downshift.
The thing I don't like is that the trans will still automatically find the gear it wants, even in "manual" mode, ie in 3rd if you slow down enough it drops to 2nd. I had a 540i before and got spoiled with the trans...this E500 would scream with a 6 speed...
The thing I don't like is that the trans will still automatically find the gear it wants, even in "manual" mode, ie in 3rd if you slow down enough it drops to 2nd. I had a 540i before and got spoiled with the trans...this E500 would scream with a 6 speed...
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 37
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From: San Diego, CA
2006 BMW 330i Sport 6 Speed
Manual shift
Thanks for the info.
At one point on my E320 test drive today I was getting on the freeway and put the pedal to the floor and felt like I was stuck...until I pushed harder to get it to kick down and then the car started to move out.
Sounds like I could have tapped the shifter to get it into 4th as I was getting coming of the ramp.....?
At one point on my E320 test drive today I was getting on the freeway and put the pedal to the floor and felt like I was stuck...until I pushed harder to get it to kick down and then the car started to move out.
Sounds like I could have tapped the shifter to get it into 4th as I was getting coming of the ramp.....?
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 314
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From: Oakville, Ont., Canada
2009 ML320 CDi Bluetec
Well, every car takes getting used to. I too use it quite often to get a bit faster while avoiding kickdown.
WARNING: be sure you do not accidentally set the car to Winter ("W" button by the shifter) mode because if you do, it will be sluggish, avoid kickdown, start in 2nd gear, etc - and that setting survives restart, so without knowing it you could spend all week driving sluggishly. I've done it for a few days, and I was wondering what was wrong, until I realised I was in winter mode!
Michael
WARNING: be sure you do not accidentally set the car to Winter ("W" button by the shifter) mode because if you do, it will be sluggish, avoid kickdown, start in 2nd gear, etc - and that setting survives restart, so without knowing it you could spend all week driving sluggishly. I've done it for a few days, and I was wondering what was wrong, until I realised I was in winter mode!
Michael
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 314
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From: Oakville, Ont., Canada
2009 ML320 CDi Bluetec
Originally posted by mtmnet
Thanks for the info.
At one point on my E320 test drive today I was getting on the freeway and put the pedal to the floor and felt like I was stuck...until I pushed harder to get it to kick down and then the car started to move out. Sounds like I could have tapped the shifter to get it into 4th as I was getting coming of the ramp.....?
Thanks for the info.
At one point on my E320 test drive today I was getting on the freeway and put the pedal to the floor and felt like I was stuck...until I pushed harder to get it to kick down and then the car started to move out. Sounds like I could have tapped the shifter to get it into 4th as I was getting coming of the ramp.....?
This I believe is by design: by design the car shifts a tad late (emphasises comfort, efficiency, touring, passengers, 'feels like a taxi'), and then you can override that with the manual control. It works really, really well once you are used to it.
Michael
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 962
Likes: 12
From: Saudi Arabia
'18 AMG GTR '16 BMW M3 - '05 Porsche Carrera S
Originally posted by mwillems
Exactly, that is when you use it: to shift just a bit more quickly.
This I believe is by design: by design the car shifts a tad late (emphasises comfort, efficiency, touring, passengers, 'feels like a taxi'), and then you can override that with the manual control. It works really, really well once you are used to it.
Michael
Exactly, that is when you use it: to shift just a bit more quickly.
This I believe is by design: by design the car shifts a tad late (emphasises comfort, efficiency, touring, passengers, 'feels like a taxi'), and then you can override that with the manual control. It works really, really well once you are used to it.
Michael
Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 228
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From: Kuwait
It has to take time shifting up because if it shifts as you touch the gears will change. For example your going from 2nd to D it wont catch 3rd and 4th thus causing it to jump around or even confuse the system, however downshifts you know what your going for so there is no room for error.
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Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 392
Likes: 18
From: Nashville, TN
2013 G550
I am not a fan of the manual shift for the following reasons -- 1)you can add a more flexible / manual shifting capability to an automatic but at the end of the day, its still an automatic (which explains the upshift complaints and 2) if you try shifting it manually with other people in the car, they look at you like you are stuck in your teenage years. That said, i do use it sometimes when i am alone!
Regarding slow pick up, it is probably a function of your driving style and the driver adaptive transmission.
Regarding slow pick up, it is probably a function of your driving style and the driver adaptive transmission.
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Newbie
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Hong Kong
03' silver e320 advantgarde
i use manual shift often... i don't think the car has enough torque... or maybe i was too spoiled by my previous turbo'd car... but i do feel more in control when in manual shift because everytime i don't want it to upshift, it does.. that annoys me quit a bit.. i would definitely go for manual (i mean the real one with a clutch you have to use) if mercedes ever offers one... too bad i don' t like bimmer... 
does anyone know if there's any tuner(s) out there who make chip for the auto tranny?? it would be better if it responds faster in the manual mode...
gary
does anyone know if there's any tuner(s) out there who make chip for the auto tranny?? it would be better if it responds faster in the manual mode...
gary
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 392
Likes: 18
From: Nashville, TN
2013 G550
I dont know if this is 100% true but my understanding is that bmw is going to get rid of the manual option on the 5 series, including the M5, and go to an auto w/ tip transmission.
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,006
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From: Long Island
'07 Porsche 997TT
I agree with Epower
There was a discussion on this topic a while back. I felt then, and still do, that there is a huge lag in the E500 compared with my 2000 E430. Once the car kicks in, it is faster than the E430 was. There were times where I had to pass someone quickly and the lag actually made it a little dangerous.
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Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Toronto, On
BMW E39 M5
Originally posted by skymast
I dont know if this is 100% true but my understanding is that bmw is going to get rid of the manual option on the 5 series, including the M5, and go to an auto w/ tip transmission.
I dont know if this is 100% true but my understanding is that bmw is going to get rid of the manual option on the 5 series, including the M5, and go to an auto w/ tip transmission.
Second, there will never be an auto M car, words of M GMBH president.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 285
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From: Ohio
2003 E320
Tried manual shifting on E320 on a couple of occasions. Must be my rusty skills with a manual, by I noticed I was hovering around 3000 RPM too much. This can't be good for fuel economy and emissions 
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 550
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From: San Antonio, Texas
04' E500 w/Appear. PKG, Panorama Roof
I love it! But my last ride was the 97 3/4 ton 4wd Suburban so this is like a fantasy dream......Now that Suburban can shift pulling 7500lbs as well! LOL
Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 101
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From: Santa Cruz, CA
'03 E320
W211 versus 996
As others have mentioned, down shifting is acceptable, but upshifting is less than responsive.
My wife has a Porsche 996 with tiptronic and it responds immediatley, which is very good, but only true Porsche lovers enjoy the ride.
I like the W211 ride much better, and think it should have same level of response. Oh Well!
That is what a half century of living will do to you.
My wife has a Porsche 996 with tiptronic and it responds immediatley, which is very good, but only true Porsche lovers enjoy the ride.
I like the W211 ride much better, and think it should have same level of response. Oh Well!
That is what a half century of living will do to you.
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Joined: Feb 2003
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Manual Shift Unbelieveable!
I just finished breaking in my E500. My prevous car was a 540iA. The difference is remarkable. The most impressive is the acceleration.........so smooth it is like butter.......try this..........doing about 80-85 in fourth downshift to third and hit it..........you will go to 115 before hitting redline in third!!!!!! and you willl get there fast!my 540 topped out at 85 in third......car is unbelelveable...........the difference......MB is a more muted ride......but that is good......I hate coming out of comfort mode......have fun!
