SL/R230: Am I making a big mistake
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2026 Mercedes CLE53A4 AMG Cabriolet and 2025 MAYBACH EQS680V4
Originally Posted by VinceB
Curious as to why you didn't like the 7spd, I figured with an extra couple of gears you'd get out of the hole that much quicker. Does it hunt to find the proper gear?
Thanks,
Thanks,
Last edited by LovinMercedes; Feb 15, 2005 at 04:13 PM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Northern California
Mercedes C400, BMW X3
7 Speed
I have owned two cars with the 7 Speed, both with the V8 (2004 SL500 and 2006 CLS500). I find there are three problems with this transmission:
1. It seems that the car is constantly shifting and hunting through the gears while driving in city traffic.
2. At low speeds, particularly when cold, it tends to go "clunk" when you come to a stop. It is particularly noticeable if you are in the sport setting. The comfort setting helps but does not eliminate the problem.
3. Manually shifting the 7 speed when you are feeling frisky is awkward. Going from 7th to 3rd requires banging the stick to the left four times and I frequently lose count as to which of the seven gears I am in.
The 5 speed has been around forever but it nevers seems to miss for me. I did briefly drive the SLK350 with the 7 speed and was very impressed, so maybe the torque of the V8 is the problem?
1. It seems that the car is constantly shifting and hunting through the gears while driving in city traffic.
2. At low speeds, particularly when cold, it tends to go "clunk" when you come to a stop. It is particularly noticeable if you are in the sport setting. The comfort setting helps but does not eliminate the problem.
3. Manually shifting the 7 speed when you are feeling frisky is awkward. Going from 7th to 3rd requires banging the stick to the left four times and I frequently lose count as to which of the seven gears I am in.
The 5 speed has been around forever but it nevers seems to miss for me. I did briefly drive the SLK350 with the 7 speed and was very impressed, so maybe the torque of the V8 is the problem?
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From: Ponce Puerto Rico
SL500 2003 previous/ E350 2007 actually
Originally Posted by blueSL
Well, I think he's wasting his money. A GREEN car? No thanks. MBs are not green cars (or red cars, as he's discovered), so its black silver or blue. Anything else is on the fringe.
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From: England
SL500 '05
The seven speed box does seem to change alot around town, but it's a smooth unit and I can't say I've noticed clanging type changes whilst cold.
Having not driven the five speed V8 I cannot compare but I would hope the seven speed offers a significant advantage otherwise the technology is wasted.
Having not driven the five speed V8 I cannot compare but I would hope the seven speed offers a significant advantage otherwise the technology is wasted.
