blueduramax

I have been doing some searches for another R230 (want a red one!) and it appears that in 2004 the transmissions were changed from a 5 speed to a 7 speed. Apparently the 5 speed is reputed to be more trouble free and therefore desirable. I got a vin recorder report that says my 2004 has a 7 speed trans. I am pretty sure it has the 5 speed as I watch the tack etc. The carfax has no record of a transmission change so I am quite sure it is original. Any helpful insights?

sivikvtec

Enter your vin into this website and it will tell you

https://www.lastvin.com/

bobterry99

While in drive tap the gear shift lever to the left. If the instrument cluster displays a "6", then you know you have the 7-speed.

Sl600kd

The 5 speed is more resilient as less parts but the 7 speed is faster

blueduramax

Wow, thanks. It said "6"! I guess the vin search was correct. Now I will be checking very closely to see if I can detect all the gear changes. Thanks

Speed750

if your in comfort mode "C" the car starts off in second gear. Put the transmission in sport mode and it starts in first. You'll feel the difference.

tonylinc

If you got a V12 twin turbo they supply that with the 5 speed because it takes that HP better without breaking. Both transmissions are good.

A1EK

Can I just ask if anyone has experience of the AMG Speedshift gearbox, this is what I have and was installed as an optional extra from new, just wondered if it differs much to the standard box? It certainly feels smooth and changes much quicker than my old CLK and E-Class autoboxes.

Thanks

gaazmon

Not sure if we have that option here in the USA for non-AMG vehicles. I do know that on the 09 facelift 550/600 vehicles, the "wheel package" comes with a manual mode for the transmission (Like on the 55/65).

Regarding OP's post, on the 500 models, only the 03 came with a 5-speed. From 04 on, the 500/550 all came with 7 speed. The 55, 600, and 65 all come with 5 speed (To handle the torque). The 63 comes with DCT. Like anything new, the 04-06 early 7 speeds did suffer from some issues (Just as the 09 63's DCT). The 7 speed is a bit more complicated when it comes to maintenance such as fluid and filter changes. The 5 speed, when shifting through the gears manually, goes up and down 1 at a time, while the 7 speed when downshifting manually automatically drops to the lowest recommended gear (Upshifts are still 1 at a time) so it can go from D down to any number between 1-6 depending on what speed the vehicle is at when you downshift manually.

BlownV8

Just wish I could have had the 7 speed on my V12. It's light years better but, like stated above, it was not rated for the torque of the bi-turbo V12.

bobterry99

Two years ago I simultaneously owned both a 2004 and a 2003 '500. Driving, I could barely tell the difference between the 5-speed and the 7-speed.

Now I have a '55 in place and a '500, and I think I can discern the '55 shifting a small fraction of a second quicker. Also, it's always in the gear I want it to be in, which I can not say about the '500.