MCT Gearbox for facelift C63

[Palmball]

Well, I've heard it from to different sources now....

Firstly, 'unofficially' from the official place (AMG in Affalterbach) - ie I guess I wasn't supposed to be told but was by one of the contacts I have there.

Secondly, Uli phoned me today and confirmed what he has seen in person!


Apparently it'll definitely have the MCT gearbox...which for those who haven't experienced it is fantastic news! Seems there's some real engineering improvements aswell as cosmetic to next years C class.

 

[GMW]

Wow, might be time to change to that if the MCT gearbox is confirmed! Though I want to see what the facelift AMG looks like. Hopefully they kept the aggressive looks!

 

[petermansell]

Sorry - what is an MCT gearbox?

I tried google but didn't find any sensible answers

 

[Palfrem]

Maddeningly clunky transfer?

 

[amgmaster]

Well, I've heard it from to different sources now....

Firstly, 'unofficially' from the official place (AMG in Affalterbach) - ie I guess I wasn't supposed to be told but was by one of the contacts I have there.

Secondly, Uli phoned me today and confirmed what he has seen in person!


Apparently it'll definitely have the MCT gearbox...which for those who haven't experienced it is fantastic news! Seems there's some real engineering improvements aswell as cosmetic to next years C class.

looks like you might be back in a amg before you know it.

 

[C240Sport97]

that is great news and will make the C63 eliminate competition from all comers

 

[Palmball]

looks like you might be back in a amg before you know it.

Who knows It's apparently not going on sale until early summer though (despite being first shown at the Geneva show in March)

that is great news and will make the C63 eliminate competition from all comers

The 7G Speedshift was always one of the weakest parts of the C63's amour, not because it's a bad box but because it's just not suited to such a sporty car. It just isn't direct enough and you never see such transmissions in M3's so this will make a huge difference to it's ability against the competition.

Sorry - what is an MCT gearbox?

I tried google but didn't find any sensible answers

Right, I'm not an expert but I'll attempt to explain!

The 7G speedshift torque converter uses oil to transmit the power from the engine to the propshaft. This means you will always get the engine artificially revving before you get drive to the rear wheels which can not only 'sound' odd at times but means the relationship between putting your foot down and the car moving isn't always as direct as it could be.

MCT stands for Multi Clutch Transmission and effectively does away with the oil bit in the torque converter and instead, where the oil normally would be are a series of clutches.

What does this mean when driving? Well, after my experience in an E63 I can confirm that there is no engine revving before the car moves - you hit the throttle and the car moves instantly. It feels very much like a manual in that sense (which is good in a car like the C63) and the feeling at all speeds is of much more directness between throttle and movement. The gears also change much quicker between ratios which is another positive.

OK, at slow speeds the gearchange isn't quite as smooth as the traditional torque converter but its hardly bad and still better than most other auto's. Also, in the AMG's having ultimate smoothness is less important as in other models given the positives given elsewhere.

Finally, in Evo magazine Chris Harris (IMO one of the UK's best motoring writers) raves relentlessly about the MCT gearbox in his long term E63 as one of the very best transmissions on the market and you can't get high recommendation than that!

 

[Aeroman]

Thanks Palmball and I'm sure your information on the box is correct coming as it does from the source. However, I've just posted this on another forum:

I went into Mercedes Benz World yesterday and there are quite a few C63's on the system for delivery between now and February, all allocated to Dealers, and with the majority in white paint. They do not seem to be very well informed about the revised 2011 model, but say it will be available for April orders (July delivery), after Geneva launch and will not have the MCT gearbox as it won't fit in the transmission tunnel.

They don't have any pictures or literature on the new model, but said they will get in touch when they do. All in all, a bit of a fruitless visit!

 

[st4]

Be done with it and buy the E63. Just nicer IMHO!!!

 

[Palmball]

OK, my sources came from two different people - one is a guy at AMG in Affalterbach (the person who I dealt with when sorting my interior) and the other was Uli (AMG's freelance development driver at the Nurburgring).

Uli actually checked with the guys currently testing the facelift C63 (inc. Black !!) and he assures me that it definitely will have the gearbox.

Now, there is obviously a slight possibility this could still be wrong as I personally haven't seen it first hand but lets face it, given I've heard this from two entirely independent people, the info is likely to be accurate.

Now, more to the point and onto the information given to you by MB Brooklands where they have told you...

after Geneva launch and will not have the MCT gearbox as it won't fit in the transmission tunnel.

...this is utter nonsense.

Don't ya just love these dealers....Aeroman, if the information I've given does turn out to be correct then please, please go back there and ask the person who told you this why they misinformed you!!

(And if my info is incorrect then I accept no responsibility! )

Now, I happen know this is duff info because when I went to the AMG factory I was lucky enough to be given a full explanation of MCT and one of the key benefits of it is that the gearbox is exactly the same size as the 7G-Tronic and utilises the same housing....they've have managed to fit the clutch plates into the space where the torque converter (oily) bit goes.

If the C63 can fit the 7G gearbox then it can fit the MCT gearbox!

I personally cannot wait for this car to come out next year

 

[The _Don]

OK, my sources came from two different people - one is a guy at AMG in Affalterbach (the person who I dealt with when sorting my interior) and the other was Uli (AMG's freelance development driver at the Nurburgring).

Uli actually checked with the guys currently testing the facelift C63 (inc. Black !!) and he assures me that it definitely will have the gearbox.

Now, there is obviously a slight possibility this could still be wrong as I personally haven't seen it first hand but lets face it, given I've heard this from two entirely independent people, the info is likely to be accurate.

Now, more to the point and onto the information given to you by MB Brooklands where they have told you...



...this is utter nonsense.

Don't ya just love these dealers....Aeroman, if the information I've given does turn out to be correct then please, please go back there and ask the person who told you this why they misinformed you!!

(And if my info is incorrect then I accept no responsibility! )

Now, I happen know this is duff info because when I went to the AMG factory I was lucky enough to be given a full explanation of MCT and one of the key benefits of it is that the gearbox is exactly the same size as the 7G-Tronic and utilises the same housing....they've have managed to fit the clutch plates into the space where the torque converter (oily) bit goes.

If the C63 can fit the 7G gearbox then it can for the MCT gearbox!

I personally cannot wait for this car to come out next year

Hi andrew hope youre well when do we get a update on life with the 911 ??

 

[Palmball]

Hi andrew hope youre well when do we get a update on life with the 911 ??

Hi Don - edit your quote with [/quote] at the end of the bit I wrote....can't see the bit you wrote

Update on the 911....the bloody thing rattles. It oversteers like mad on the snow. It hasn't got cruise control (meaning it's impossible to keep it below 1 million mph on the motorway). And ever since I've owned it, I've been hit with some norovirus that has had me feeling like sh!t for 2 weeks (and yes, I blame the 911)!

The good news....

I'm starting to feel better.

Cruise control get's fitted on Thursday

The rattles will also be eradicated on Thursday (optimistic, I know)

The snow is due to melt this weekend and hopefully I can then enjoy the car....without going backwards everywhere.

 

[C240Sport97]

It hasn't got cruise control (meaning it's impossible to keep it below 1 million mph on the motorway).

cruise control an option on all Porsches, except the one off Sport Classic (250 made) and Speedster (356 to be made).