Have I done the right thing?

[wjamie]

I have just placed an order for a SLK 200 Kompressor Auto. Delivery in a couple of weeks. Being driving MX5's for 7 years and have loved every minute of it. Can't praise them enough particulary when you consider how cheap they are.

Going back to the SLK my test drive was interesting. In most areas including handling it was very good however I do have some reservations about the 5 speed auto with tip!! When trying to overide the auto and change gears manually for some sprited driving it did not seem to respond as I expected. In some instances the auto kicked in regardless.

Is this just a case of me needing some time to get used to the auto and learning how to use it properly or after 7 years of a very slick responsive manual gearbox on the MX5's am I never going to settle with the Auto?

Have to say the auto was great for driving through the town but I do enjoy a spirited drive on occasions .

What's your experience of the auto/manual?

Before anyone says it I realise it's now a bit late to have this discussion/debate as I have already placed the order.

Cheers

 

[HughJarse]

Thats like comparing a cow and a rabbit.

 

[Mudster]

Thats like comparing a cow and a rabbit.

Which is which?

 

[robert.saunders]

Thats like comparing a cow and a rabbit.

My old neighbour was a bit of a cow and we think had maximum use from her rabbit; so we moved

 

[Colin_b]

I've an auto, and it is brilliant. Though its a 7 speed with a 350 - I think the 200 is a different box. Renders a manual pointless, it is deficient in every aspect except initial cost.

No fence sitting here

 

[A210AMG]

Hello I have had a MX5 1.8iS Manual and also used my dads SLK 230 Auto he had.

The MX5 was far more go cart like and the gear change just a flick of the rist is fantastic.


Completely different cars though and the new SLK should be even better than the old? I love the auto in my car but saying that there is no way I would have had an auto MX5..

Try and drive a manual SLK, I would not normally suggest this with a merc but if you like it thats all that matters? Is it a brand new one, have you specced the air scarf?

Some great second hand buys around. There was one on here 4K miles SLK350 and nice spec asking 21K at one point !!

I would drive a manual and see what you think.

 

[Dryce]

Going back to the SLK my test drive was interesting. In most areas including handling it was very good however I do have some reservations about the 5 speed auto with tip!! When trying to overide the auto and change gears manually for some sprited driving it did not seem to respond as I expected. In some instances the auto kicked in regardless.

When you use the tip function to set a lower gear you're not actually selecting a gear but limiting the highest gear the box will use. So it can still shift down if it feels like it.

 

[suse]

I have just left a post about the SLK I recently bought and you can read if you want (I have not had a good experience). I traded in a CLK for this car and even though they are both auto it took a bit of getting used to as it was a completely different drive to the CLK. However, I now find it alot more responsive than the CLK and when I need the power it does deliver. You know the old adage - practice makes perfect!

 

[HughJarse]

My old neighbour was a bit of a cow and we think had maximum use from her rabbit; so we moved

lol

 

[pammy]

I went from a manual MGF VVC to my auto SLK320 - was not without trepidation for the very reasons you mention - but...................I adore my SLK and the auto box. It is a very different driving experience - fantastic and I love my SLK which anyone on here who knows will confirm. I have no regrets what so ever about going auto.

The tip isn't full manual control but just allows you to select a gear which the box will overide if you brake or accelerate.

 

[gbjeppm]

I have driven an SLK200 manual and I was actually pleasantly surprised how good the manual box was, I would still have the auto though every time.

For the auto, I find I dont even use the steptronic function, kickdown is all you need

 

[portzy]

It could well be that the car that was test driven had not had a hard life so far. The MB 5spd auto box is a learning box same as the 7g, afaik?, and could be reluctant to change until it has had some spirited driving.

Were you trying to shift using the selector or the paddles?

Portzy.

 

[Dragon]

The tip is nothing new, it had been in my 1992 W201, change down to low or higher gears. I once rested my hand on the shift of 2005 W210 and momentarily and accidently shifted to lower gears on shifting to the left. You don't really have to use this unless you are stuck in the muds or snow. Now I use this to shift to higher gears to get better mpg.

This was what MB at Croydon told me about tip, it high sounding but nothing new. Would really like to get my hand on a flappy shift.

 

[nigel cross]

The tip is nothing new, it had been in my 1992 W201, change down to low or higher gears. I once rested my hand on the shift of 2005 W210 and momentarily and accidently shifted to lower gears on shifting to the left. You don't really have to use this unless you are stuck in the muds or snow. Now I use this to shift to higher gears to get better mpg.

This was what MB at Croydon told me about tip, it high sounding but nothing new. Would really like to get my hand on a flappy shift.

Keep it clean please

 

[Howard]

The tip is nothing new, it had been in my 1992 W201, change down to low or higher gears.

You had tiptronic in a '92 190 ?

 

[Dragon]

You had tiptronic in a '92 190 ?

Yes, does it surprised you? It mechanical though.

 

[MBManInKen]

You had tiptronic in a '92 190 ?

Since when have his posts ever had anything to do with the real world?

 

[Dieselman]

You are confusing the gear selector restrictor with Tip shift. No mechanical box has Tip function.

 

[MBManInKen]

Yes, does it surprised you? It mechanical though.

That's not a tiptronic.

 

[Howard]

I thought there was no tip around in 92 ....