mtmnet

How many folks use the manual shift and what do you think about it?

EPower

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...

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.....?

mwillems

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

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

muhri

But what I dont like about it is that for shift ups, its slow as hell - so if I tap "+" it takes time before really going into the upper shift.. However, downshifting is fast which is why i use it only for downshifting.

KU104

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.

skymast

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.

glung

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

monakh

I am not much of a 'Tiptronic' type of guy. I miss the clutch too much. I have never used this feature on my E. Heh, imagine that.

glung

i suppose an e500 will have enough power to let you be lazy in shifting....

reminds me that i need to research for kleemannizing (spelling??) soon...

gary

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.

cte430

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.

rost12

The new 5 series (E60) still comes with a 6-speed manual gearbox. That's one.

Second, there will never be an auto M car, words of M GMBH president.

pogotango

i only use it to race, and on hills

Gethen

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

vraa

My dad hates using it and will only do it if I pester him enough.

marksatex

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

briar

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.

glung

i wonder if amg will release the program they use on e55... oh well, i guess i'll keep on dreaming for now... :o

gary

frenkeleft

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!