I'm told that it's hard to find the SLK 230 in a standard transmission? Is this true or just dealer hype?

 

I've heard that MB sells about 5 - 10% of their SLK's with manual transmissions. Personally, I couldn't live without one. Maybe the new AMG auto is faster and more efficient than me, but you can't beat the feeling of shifting throught the gears.

 

Damn, you said it all.

 

For the '99 and '00 model years, the number of SLKs sold in the USA with the manual transmissions was 15% of the total. It was capped at 15% so there was a longer waiting list for manuals than for automatics in 1999. In 2001 and 2002, I believe it is still limited to 15%, but they are actually selling a little less.

Definitely take and extended test-drive before you buy. I had a '99 SLK230 with the 5-speed manual and I was happy to be rid of it when I traded it for my SLK32 AMG. It sucked. It had a super long clutch throw so I couldn't get a good seating position. The shifter was notchy making it difficult to shift fast, but it was also rubbery making it difficult to know exactly where the stick was in the pattern. I have driven the newer 6-speed in a C200 Kompressor and an E220 CDI and it's not significantly better in my opinion, you just have to shift it more often because the gears are closer together.

 

I've always owned manual transmissions and agree that the Mercedes 5 speed version in my '99 SLK does not come close to meeting my expectations. But I would rather have a mediocre manual than an auto. With my MB manual, it takes more attention and care to work the gears but I am up to the task!! For me, an auto would be mind numbing. A manual transmission is a significant part of the full driving experience and that is why I decided not to buy the SLK 32. I hope MB considers the plight of manual transmission fans and drops one in the AMG version in the next model year or two.

 

I know exactly what you mean, I had the same problem but it was easy to fix, just did some clutch adjustments.

 

I am in agreement with the statement that I will take a bad manual transmission over an automatic. There is just something about operating 3 foot pedals that gives me that total driving experience. I have a 1999 Slk with 5 speed. While the shifts are long, I have gotten used to it where I can really throw this thing around. I did test drive one of the 6 speeds and found that I did not like that quite as much. Seemed like they just put one more gear in the same range. End result was more shifting to keep the car on the powerband. I would really like to get one of the 300+ HP slks, but without a manual option, I just can't do it. So I am looking into engine modification options myself when the warranty expires.

 

I just had to get in on this thread. I have a 99 SLK230 5 speed and I am extremely pleased with the transmission. To be honest I don't really know why MB put a 6 speed in because the 5 speed seems to handle the torque characteristics of the engine nicely. All my cars have been European and manual and it's up there with the best (shifter and clutch). I've put the car on the track several times giving the SLK a run for its money. No complaints.

 

Driving around tonite, I really paid attention to how long I could hold the car in a single gear. The 5 speed works very well in putting the power to the wheels. I did get a chuckle out of the clutch location problems. I think that may be a tall person problem. Being only 5'5" tall, I was able to adjust the seat forward where it needed to be, and adjust the height appropriately at the same time and not have any problems shifting, or hitting my knees on the lower dashboard. I do see how someone over 5'9" could have a problem with that.

 

I don't think it's dealer hype.. the manuals are definitely hard to come by... my friend just got a manual SLK and according to the dealers, this was the only one (in red) in the NE...

 

hello all, they are rare to have, funny how you can't blue book or nada book the cars, they take off value for a manual transmission, they are a classic and collectible car. I am in Northern California and mine has under 115k miles...but with a manual transmission it is truly a real sports car and fun to drive..
I just wanted to say yes a 5 speed manual is hard to find not many were made!!!

tammy

 

I have the 5 speed manual transmission, fast and fun car, and they are hard to find,
only a few made, mine is for sale!!! love my car but to many surgeries forces sale..
cant keep driving a stick shift now

1999 Mercedes SLK230 Sport, 5 speed manual transmission

 

Our 2001 is a 6 speed, and I am 6' the only thing I can say even close to "bad" about it is that the gear ratios are rather close, normal driving / highway accelerating I usually start in 2, skip to 4, then skip to 6. From a stand still you can actually start it in 3rd, made that mistake when I first got the car. Very easy to drive stick, and I have always felt the throw is rather good in the car.