slk55er

The SLK55 AMG that I previously owned had three distinct modes: Comfort (C), Sport (S) and Manual (M). My USA GLK350 and CLS550 do not have the Manual mode.

So does the Canadian and/or European GLK have the three modes?

GLKKa2H

All three of them

Happy New Year

rmfnla

I can't understand why they're on a GLK because it's an SUV with 268 HP.

On a GT-R is a no-brainer.

GLKKa2H

I understand why they're on a GLK SUV with 170 HP - because it's an option, designed by MB engineers. And very useful for some (of us) lucky owners.

MBRedux

But the transmission is not a DCT. It's just a good old 7 speed slushbox with a torque converter. Where's the fun in that?

GLKKa2H

As "said" in post #21, the paddles serves great (with the good (MB 4Matic+7-speed automatic not so) old 7 speed slushbox with a torque converter) - given the road conditions we have here.

I don't care anything about fun, rather than the practical use of the feature.

MBRedux

Do you know what a DCT is?

GLKKa2H

MBRedux

See, you don't know what you're speaking about because it is on topic.

MBRedux

That's too bad.

GLKKa2H

Kindly read the topic, as written by the OP: "Paddle shifter on steering wheel ?".

MBRedux

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.

GLKKa2H

The "Doppel Kupplungs Technologie" (for you, Sir: DCT) is for your son's Q5 and other cars, as you may know, and not for the GLK, as have the 4Matic+7-speed automatic - as said.

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.

MBRedux

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.

NYCGLK

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.

aggst1

Deja vu?
I think I saw a similar movie a week ago...

MKenM

I'm not sure what slk55er is referring to when he says that the GLK does not have 3 modes. It has all 3 C, S and M. Sorry IMO.

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?

NYCGLK

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.

MKenM

Are you saying that on an automatic transmission you could manually shift it into lets say 5th gear while going 10 MPH?

NYCGLK

yea, but it won't shift into 5th. It'll pick whatever gear it thinks is best.

slk55er

I'm glad that "NYCGLK" clarified this to "MKenM." Thank you. Or maybe "MkenM" has a unique USA model with all three modes.

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.

slk55er

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!

slk55er

Hmm. It's tough to shift via the console shifter while keeping hands on the wheel. Perhaps one could use the right elbow.

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.

MKenM

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.

kyoshiro

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.