SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Very disappointed with the shifting on my SL65
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Dallas, TX
Very disappointed with the shifting on my SL65
In manual shift mode (Touch Shift feature.), the shifting is very slow and sluggish. To the point of almost being useless.
Love the car, but it would be nice to drive it in a truer manual mode once in a while.
Love the car, but it would be nice to drive it in a truer manual mode once in a while.
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Indianapolis, IN
2006 Gallardo 6-speed, 2005 SL55, BMW X3
On the SL55, I've noticed that the 1-2 shift is much quicker than the 2-3, 3-4, and 4-5. My area MB rep says that the 2-3 and up have a "hold" feature that keeps the transmission in the lower gear if you momentarily back off of the throttle. The rationale was that you must be slowing down for the ubiquitous Honda Odyssey to get out of your way before continuing to accelerate in the current gear. The 1-2 shift is instantaneous - as soon as you back off of the throttle or push the + button it goes right into 2nd. Not so for the rest of the gears - there's a noticeable lag. The best way around this is to let the rev limiter do the shifting for you. It sounds better too!
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From: Arizona
SL55AMG, Ferrari 348, Ferrari Testarossa, Ferrari F40, Ferrari Mondial t, Ducati 916, Indycar
The best way to drive these cars is in the manual mode. Use the shifter or the buttons on the wheel and you won't have these challenges.
I don't think that I have driven mine in the auto mode more than a couple of times in the 2.5 years that I have had the car.
I don't think that I have driven mine in the auto mode more than a couple of times in the 2.5 years that I have had the car.
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Dallas, TX
Originally Posted by IngenereAMG
The best way to drive these cars is in the manual mode. Use the shifter or the buttons on the wheel and you won't have these challenges.
I don't think that I have driven mine in the auto mode more than a couple of times in the 2.5 years that I have had the car.
I don't think that I have driven mine in the auto mode more than a couple of times in the 2.5 years that I have had the car.
I am referring to the manual mode, the shifts are SLOW and sluggish. Granted, I am coming from a Ferrari with F1.
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AMG
Originally Posted by BradShaw75
I am referring to the manual mode, the shifts are SLOW and sluggish. Granted, I am coming from a Ferrari with F1.
do you want faster gear shifts? when reaching redline ( or whatever RPM you're in ) release the gas pedal a bit then shift ... definitely better than just stepping on the gas pedal
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Arizona
SL55AMG, Ferrari 348, Ferrari Testarossa, Ferrari F40, Ferrari Mondial t, Ducati 916, Indycar
Originally Posted by BradShaw75
I am referring to the manual mode, the shifts are SLOW and sluggish. Granted, I am coming from a Ferrari with F1.
And to answer another question about durability.......Everything works great. It has been 2.5 years of manual shifting and it just gets better.
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SL65, E55T, Pending S65
It is still an automatic at heart. I still feel like the buttons are more of a marketing gimick.
I hardly ever drive the car in M mode. It is far too difficult guessing when to shift without hitting the rev limiter. The delay in shifting kills me every time.
I would go nuts shifting the car in manual mode all of the time. In my experience on the track and at the drag strip, the car has been faster letting the computer shift.
The only time it has been helpful is when I wanted to be able to hold a shift from happening in a long sweeper when the car was trying to upshift mid turn.
Just my .02
I hardly ever drive the car in M mode. It is far too difficult guessing when to shift without hitting the rev limiter. The delay in shifting kills me every time.
I would go nuts shifting the car in manual mode all of the time. In my experience on the track and at the drag strip, the car has been faster letting the computer shift.
The only time it has been helpful is when I wanted to be able to hold a shift from happening in a long sweeper when the car was trying to upshift mid turn.
Just my .02
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From: Indianapolis, IN
2006 Gallardo 6-speed, 2005 SL55, BMW X3
I love the manual mode too, but as I get older I find that my left hand has too much to do. Let's see - downshift button, turn signal, cruise control, headlight dim, and occasionally helping to steer the car. I found this out while driving my favorite 2-lane at night, needing to turn, downshift and dim the headlights all at the same time.
I nailed it once from a stop and forgot I had it in manual mode. Hitting the rev limiter in first gear scared the cr*p out of me. I looked down at the tach and saw it well into the red almost at 7K. I thought the transmission would automatically upshift at redline in manual mode - I guess not.
I nailed it once from a stop and forgot I had it in manual mode. Hitting the rev limiter in first gear scared the cr*p out of me. I looked down at the tach and saw it well into the red almost at 7K. I thought the transmission would automatically upshift at redline in manual mode - I guess not.
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Joined: May 2002
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2002 ML55, 2006 C6 Z06
Originally Posted by BradShaw75
Nope not me.
I had a Ferrari 360F1 that I traded on the SL65.
I will mention something to the service guys.
I had a Ferrari 360F1 that I traded on the SL65.
I will mention something to the service guys.
After I noticed your location in your sig, I thought it might have been you and your SL65 at the track. My Wife and I were out playing with the C6 that day and failed to get the gentleman's name.
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From: UK
SL55 AMG
The SL55/65 are still automatics at heart and all the buttons do is to provide an extra input to the tranmission ECU which may or may not be ignored. I test drove an Aston Martin DB9 which seemed to be much more usable as a manual. Contrast that with the Ferrari F1 which remains a manual at heart with a conventional, rapidly consumed, clutch.
