Paddle shifter on steering wheel ?
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 997
Likes: 260
From: Frisco Colorado, USA
2024 GLB35 AMG, 2020 S560 Coupe
So does the Canadian and/or European GLK have the three modes?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,136
Likes: 7
From: Los Angeles
2013 Infiniti G37 Coupe; 2011 GLK 350 w/ Premium 1, Multimedia & Sport Appearance; I LOVE IT!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 20
Nissan GT-R BE / '12 Ducati-1199 Panigale S / '12 C300-4M Loaded/GLK350-4M Loaded
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 520
Likes: 5
From: Tromsø, 69° 41' N
2010 GLK 220CDI 4M BlueEFFICIENCY
I don't care anything about fun, rather than the practical use of the feature.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 20
Nissan GT-R BE / '12 Ducati-1199 Panigale S / '12 C300-4M Loaded/GLK350-4M Loaded
I'll repeat my response then. What good are these paddles on a non-DCT car? Where's the fun? Obviously this may be going over your head, but that's okay.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 520
Likes: 5
From: Tromsø, 69° 41' N
2010 GLK 220CDI 4M BlueEFFICIENCY
Very handy when shifting down for braking, as said.
No fun using the paddles - only practical use, as said.
As as you know, this discussion is not fruitful at all, with the respect to its topic, nor does it enlighten it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 20
Nissan GT-R BE / '12 Ducati-1199 Panigale S / '12 C300-4M Loaded/GLK350-4M Loaded
So it took a Google search for you to understand that it was on topic… great. But with all due respect, I do not agree at all. Owning three cars that have true "paddle shifters" that are being utilized as designed and intended with a DCT transmission, it's clear that this “trickle down” addition to the GLK by Mercedes Benz was meant to satisfy some youthful inclination within their market demographic, and nothing more. There's nothing these paddles can offer a non DCT or Dual Clutch Transmission car that cannot already be utilized using the console shifter!
I came to appreciate that fact after driving, owning and racing both. Just my opinion.
I came to appreciate that fact after driving, owning and racing both. Just my opinion.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,780
Likes: 115
From: Northern NJ
GLK 350 / Porsche 993
I think GLKA2h's point is that they are useful for things other than spirited driving.
However, to me it seems to be more for marketing purposes so that MB can say: "it has paddle shifters". They are not that essential, as you can just use gear lever, they are quite small, and are attached to the steering wheel. I like Nissan's design better. BTW, those exact GTR paddle shifters come on new FX35/50.
However, to me it seems to be more for marketing purposes so that MB can say: "it has paddle shifters". They are not that essential, as you can just use gear lever, they are quite small, and are attached to the steering wheel. I like Nissan's design better. BTW, those exact GTR paddle shifters come on new FX35/50.
Last edited by NYCGLK; Dec 29, 2010 at 07:16 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 574
Likes: 2
From: Pennsylvania, USA
2011 GL450, '06 R500 traded, '08 ML350 sold
Deja vu?
I think I saw a similar movie a week ago...
Last edited by aggst1; Dec 29, 2010 at 06:54 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 887
Likes: 6
From: Northern New Jersey
2010 GLK Black, Premium 1, Lighting, Multimedia, Appearance and Media Pkg, 2012 Corvette Grand Sport
The following is not directed at slk55er.
It seems that many people don't understand about opinions. I know opinions are like #$$h0Ls everyone has one but many of us take these opinions to heart and we, myself included sometimes beat it to death.
From a mechanics point of view and or someone who shall I say appreciates the finer points of a vehicle thinks there has to be a rhyme for every reason that a manufacturer does something. But as we all know marketing always comes into play and most of us fall prey to something that attracts us to that vehicle. Again, myself included we always want to justify our likes and dislikes about our vehicles. Hence "I don't care anything about fun" may be very true but there in lies the difference between the mechanic and those attracted for some other reason.
True the paddle shifters or the use of the shifter on the console provide a different feel but the response is still the same great for down shifting but not much else. Once more just my opinion.
P.S. The use of the word mechanic might not be correct and maybe the word Enthusiast might be better. Don't we all think we are enthusiasts?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,780
Likes: 115
From: Northern NJ
GLK 350 / Porsche 993
MkenM, US GLK doesn't have true manual mode. Our "manual" mode just limits gears. If you shift to 4th, it won't go past 4th, but it will down shift and act as reg. auto at slower speeds.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 887
Likes: 6
From: Northern New Jersey
2010 GLK Black, Premium 1, Lighting, Multimedia, Appearance and Media Pkg, 2012 Corvette Grand Sport
Are you saying that on an automatic transmission you could manually shift it into lets say 5th gear while going 10 MPH?
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 997
Likes: 260
From: Frisco Colorado, USA
2024 GLB35 AMG, 2020 S560 Coupe
Supposedly the true M mode would be useful in selecting a specific gear for a specific purpose. For example forcing the transmission to start and stay in, say 2nd or 3rd when starting on a low friction surface where 1st or 2nd would apply too much torque, even with light throttle and traction control.
I found the M mode pretty much useless on the track with my SLK55 -- the Sport mode with traction control off served very well, allowing just the right amount of wheel slippage upon exiting a turn and upshifting automatically when reaching the rev limiter.
Last edited by slk55er; Dec 29, 2010 at 10:41 PM. Reason: addition
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 997
Likes: 260
From: Frisco Colorado, USA
2024 GLB35 AMG, 2020 S560 Coupe
Yes, one could force (or at least try) to start from a stop in 5th gear. I had a manual mode on a 7-series BMW and recall an embarrassing situation while driving it on Road Atlanta. I had been lapping in manual mode, came into the pits in 5th gear and forgot to shift into 1st or Automatic mode. So when the pit out flagman waved me back out, I limped away in 5th until I figured out why the 7er was so unresponsive. OOPS!
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 997
Likes: 260
From: Frisco Colorado, USA
2024 GLB35 AMG, 2020 S560 Coupe
Seriously, one reason I really would appreciate paddles is because when I move the seat forward to accommodate rear passengers, I find the console shifter too far back from the seat and awkward to reach without jamming my elbow into the seat back. This could be a problem routinely for shorter drivers who normally have the seat pretty far forward.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 887
Likes: 6
From: Northern New Jersey
2010 GLK Black, Premium 1, Lighting, Multimedia, Appearance and Media Pkg, 2012 Corvette Grand Sport
Nope mine is no different, Thanks for the explanation but as I said I think and agree with SLK that the M mode on the GLK is sort of worthless.
Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 190
Likes: 1
From: Vancouver
Mazda 5, GLK350
i 2nd that the M mode is pretty worthless. It fails to upshift near red line properly unlike my mazda 5's fail 4AT (3~4 second constant shift time in general), it simply likes to get stuck and then somehow sometime it'll change gear. Also its slow in responding with gear changes and left and right is seriously not as good as up n down.
