SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: AMG Speedshift
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Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 354
Likes: 45
From: Chicago
e55
AMG Speedshift
One of the US auto mags commented that the AMG Speedshift when operated manually"delivers an experience that is surprisingly close in operation to that of a paddle-shifted manual transmission", do you guys feel that is a accurate statement? I am very familiar with the SMG II from the M3, does the AMG Speedshift offer some of the same performance(ie very quick upshifts and especially very quick downshifts)? How often do use the AMG Speedshift in manual mode?
Thanks in advance for all comments and info provided.
Thanks in advance for all comments and info provided.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,447
Likes: 14
From: UK
SL55 AMG
This is what the SL55 is so good at. When you want it to be, it's a docile freeway cruiser, but when you want some fun, you can use the manual gear selection to enhance your involvement and interest. It's a smoother change than, say, the Ferrari which is a hydraulically operated manual shift but maybe not as quick. Still worth having though.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 894
Likes: 1
The AMG speedshift is just a marketing ploy. The C32's and SLK32's have them already and they are rarely used. The only time when you'll use it is when you're downshifting to pass on the highway.
However, for any straight line runs, you're better off flooring the gas pedal.
However, for any straight line runs, you're better off flooring the gas pedal.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 603
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From: NY
ML 500 Sport
those of you criticizing...have you even driven it???
I plan on using it alot...the new Speedshift is an excellent tranny and you can drive it very hard with good results...some people don't really understand how it works...you have to train it...it is driver adaptic...the harder you push it the more aggressively it responds...some drivers putter around in drive for a week and then jump on it expecting it to react like a manual...won't do it and then they bad mouth it...well sorry...learn how it works keep it trained to respond to a particular style and it will be there...I used the CLK55 's tranny with great results...shift it though some aggressive sequences once or twice a day and even when left in drive it will hang in there when you want it...it will never be a sequencial racing transmission...which I drive on the track...but I find it a great compromise for a performance street car
I plan on using it alot...the new Speedshift is an excellent tranny and you can drive it very hard with good results...some people don't really understand how it works...you have to train it...it is driver adaptic...the harder you push it the more aggressively it responds...some drivers putter around in drive for a week and then jump on it expecting it to react like a manual...won't do it and then they bad mouth it...well sorry...learn how it works keep it trained to respond to a particular style and it will be there...I used the CLK55 's tranny with great results...shift it though some aggressive sequences once or twice a day and even when left in drive it will hang in there when you want it...it will never be a sequencial racing transmission...which I drive on the track...but I find it a great compromise for a performance street car
Last edited by jco-amg; Dec 14, 2002 at 10:07 PM.
Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 121
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From: MA
ML63
I'm pleasantly surprised by the sporting nature of the Speedshift buttons versus the pre-'03 Touchtronic.
The buttons shift nicely, very smooth, decently quick (Schumi need not worry). BMW's SMGII is definitely more responsive in shift times than the MB buttons, but I feel more control over the wheel (my actual grip) in the MB when shifting. If MB could get even faster shift times and/or driver-controllable shift speed levels a la SMG, that'd be excellent. I'd imagine that's primarily a software issue.
The C32's and SLK32's do not have the steering wheel shift buttons. They do have Speedshift. If one actually drives a speedshift '03 MB with buttons (e.g., CL55), it provides a more rewarding experience than the C32 and SLK32's Touchtronic -- just feels more fun. Maybe that's partly because it also has 150 more horses...
- A-Train
The buttons shift nicely, very smooth, decently quick (Schumi need not worry). BMW's SMGII is definitely more responsive in shift times than the MB buttons, but I feel more control over the wheel (my actual grip) in the MB when shifting. If MB could get even faster shift times and/or driver-controllable shift speed levels a la SMG, that'd be excellent. I'd imagine that's primarily a software issue.
The C32's and SLK32's do not have the steering wheel shift buttons. They do have Speedshift. If one actually drives a speedshift '03 MB with buttons (e.g., CL55), it provides a more rewarding experience than the C32 and SLK32's Touchtronic -- just feels more fun. Maybe that's partly because it also has 150 more horses...
- A-Train
