SL/R230: SL55 "SpeedShift"
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 237
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From: MA, USA
W126 1991 350SDL
SL55 "SpeedShift"
the only information i can find about this is that it shifts "35% faster" than the standard tranny.
does anybody know exactly how fast (or slow) it does shift?
for comparison, the 360 F1 tranny is about 150 milliseconds. i believe the newere 575M F1 tranny is a bit faster yet.
obviously the MB tranny isn't an sequential manual of any sort, but i'm just curious as to how it compares.
doody.
does anybody know exactly how fast (or slow) it does shift?
for comparison, the 360 F1 tranny is about 150 milliseconds. i believe the newere 575M F1 tranny is a bit faster yet.
obviously the MB tranny isn't an sequential manual of any sort, but i'm just curious as to how it compares.
doody.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,447
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From: UK
SL55 AMG
The Ferrari solution is a mechanically operated clutch and gear-change. It disengages the clutch, changes gear and attempts to match the engine speed before re-engaging. Subtle it is not. With the Ferrari manual box, there is this delicious feeling of being linked to the box, you can almost feel the gears engaging. I tried the F355 F1 and didn't like it. The F360 may have improved but most serious drivers still prefer the full manual solution.
The SL55 is different because it is still an automatic box with torque converter and the manual shift program operated by the buttons on the wheel simply puts the gearbox in a gear and leaves it there waiting for you to change. The changes are not going to be as fast as the Ferrari. The gearbox is much more responsive than my SL600, much less of a slush-box and more sporty in character. Don't have figures for change times though.
The SL55 is different because it is still an automatic box with torque converter and the manual shift program operated by the buttons on the wheel simply puts the gearbox in a gear and leaves it there waiting for you to change. The changes are not going to be as fast as the Ferrari. The gearbox is much more responsive than my SL600, much less of a slush-box and more sporty in character. Don't have figures for change times though.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 237
Likes: 1
From: MA, USA
W126 1991 350SDL
i visited my dealer today who is delivering their first SL55. i asked the tech about the speedshift buttons setup. he didn't have any specific information, but thought "on the order of half a second" was about right. he also noted however that he felt that you got faster shifting by just leaving it in regular automatic (my read: the manual mode with the buttons was purely a toy).
fwiw,
doody.
fwiw,
doody.
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Joined: Oct 2002
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I think paddle or button shifting works best when you have less than one turn lock to lock, otherwise there are times when you may not have your hands positioned appropriately.
With my SL55 I have found that using the shift lever to downshift to the right gear for a corner and upon exit, rapidly bumping it up to drive and letting the computer do the up shifts has proven to be the most satisfying.
Some drivers may like the buttons but I think they are more of a marketing feature, enabling MB to suggest F1-like technology in this street car.
For true manual control from behind the steering wheel, I think Maserati has gotten it best for a street car. It's less abrupt than Ferrari's but still sounds and acts like fast, perfect heal and toe-ing.
With my SL55 I have found that using the shift lever to downshift to the right gear for a corner and upon exit, rapidly bumping it up to drive and letting the computer do the up shifts has proven to be the most satisfying.
Some drivers may like the buttons but I think they are more of a marketing feature, enabling MB to suggest F1-like technology in this street car.
For true manual control from behind the steering wheel, I think Maserati has gotten it best for a street car. It's less abrupt than Ferrari's but still sounds and acts like fast, perfect heal and toe-ing.
