Mostly Autos, why ? ( c class mainly )

[Kev75]

Hi all

My first post here and i was just wondering why it seems that nearly all mercedes ( im mainly looking at the C class models ) seem to be automatic ?

Thank you
Kev75

 

[st4]

Because the auto suits the more relaxed nature of MB.

MB manuals can be notchy clunky affairs, the autos are the best autos in the world. Also figure the foot operated brake, could be tricky with a manual.

If you want a manual, make sure its a good bit cheaper than the auto equivilent.

 

[kwakdonut]

Welcome to the forum!

The answer to your question is relatively simple - because MB probably make the best autos in the world!

 

[recycled]

And they make the best autos with all the associated problems that come with the autos

 

[st4]

And they make the best autos with all the associated problems that come with the autos

Can of worms there....

Depends. Auto's have lower MPG to be said,

with manual cars you need a new clutch every 100k miles or so, and thats a good £500+ over the same span the auto will have had 2-3 changes at £180/change.

With proper maintanence an auto box is tough enough, if you tow a lot and the oil over heats you'll cook it but an oil cooler will sort that out.

Obviously an auto can fail, but its rare and unlikely if the car has been maintained properly.

Depends on what you like really. Some cars suit manual more, some auto more. A C class is a sportier car than most MB's so can justify a manual more, an E or S with an auto is a no no. A BMW Id have with a manual, but MB more an auto type of car.

 

[Dryce]

My first post here and i was just wondering why it seems that nearly all mercedes ( im mainly looking at the C class models ) seem to be automatic ?

It's true even of their sports models these days.

It's down to the MV target marketplace. Even where the auto is an option rather than standard customers usually choose it. Manuals aren't popular in the used market either.

 

[Kev75]

So far i have only seen the c36 and c43 models with autos, did they ever come with a manual ? if not what would the next car down the model range to look at with a manual gearbox ? as id rather have a manual than auto, it took me over 6 months to find the car i have with the engine and gearbox selection i wanted.

Thank you
Kev75

 

[st4]

So far i have only seen the c36 and c43 models with autos, did they ever come with a manual ? if not what would the next car down the model range to look at with a manual gearbox ? as id rather have a manual than auto, it took me over 6 months to find the car i have with the engine and gearbox selection i wanted.

Thank you
Kev75

Ah, you're looking at w202's. All the AMGs were auto only, and think the C280 was. I know the C230k can be had with manual.

 

[Howard]

AFAIK , at least from the w202 and w208 onwards you could only have a manual up to 2.3 litres , everything larger than that was auto only .

 

[Big_Jon]

As a dealer I wouldnt buy a manual merc, jaguar, beemer or lexus because they are supposed to be luxury vehicles and manuals are VERY hard to sell from experience.

 

[recycled]

Can of worms there....

Depends. Auto's have lower MPG to be said,

with manual cars you need a new clutch every 100k miles or so, and thats a good £500+ over the same span the auto will have had 2-3 changes at £180/change.

With proper maintanence an auto box is tough enough, if you tow a lot and the oil over heats you'll cook it but an oil cooler will sort that out.

You are right but autos create more Co2, higher up in the tax bracket and i never needed a clutch in all my years of ownership, i think it just depends on the driving but to fix an auto could cost up to £2k. i have had 2 and both failed so it is bye to autos for me.
but look down the forum for gearbox problems, from valeo to MAF to no kickdown to leaky boxes e.t.c, limp mode. even the new 7G tronic GL boxes are getting recalls

I suggest you try both and make your own mind up.
I am done with autos.

 

[recycled]

As a dealer I wouldnt buy a manual merc, jaguar, beemer or lexus because they are supposed to be luxury vehicles and manuals are VERY hard to sell from experience.

and that is why BMW sell more M3 cars than the C-amg as they at least offer the manual option

 

[Big_Jon]

and that is why BMW sell more M3 cars than the C-amg as they at least offer the manual option

BMW buyers are far less discerning though arent they!

It does surprise me that MB dont atleast offer the option.

I am firmly an auto man, always have been since my boy-racer days, but there are those that despise autos and its a shame that people who should be driving MB's are going downmarket to get a manual.

 

[Howard]

Can't understand how broken autoboxes seem to follow some people around.

Been driving now for 16 years , mainly autos ( MB for the last 7 ) , never ever had a box fail on me ( my last CLK was a problem with the engine mounts , not the box as it turned out ) ..

Dads been driving for 40 years plus ( MB for the last 15 ) , and never ever had an autobox fail on him either ....

I guess some people must be just unlucky.

I'll never go back to a manual.

 

[A210AMG]

As above my dads done 100K's in Merc autos and not had a single problem?

My brothers 100k's in all manor of Auto cars, Saab, Lexus, Jag etc and never had a problem.

Merc Auto's are also generally quicker? in the Merc versions anyway. With the SBC hold, foot ready on the Go pedal...... not much to do just squeze and wooosh...

Kickdown will almost certainly be quicker than a manual.


Best thing for the OP is to drive both, Merc manuals tend to be a bit notchy and the foot operated handbrake can be awkard to get use to.


BMW's do tend to be Manuals as the people driving them don't understand autos.... and BMW Autos are not as as good? I had a 330Ci Manual and the auto version was a fair bit slower and a lot worse mpg which at the time is why I went for manual.


Never again, far more relaxing drive in an auto. Each to his or her own granted but Autos do tend to suit a luxury car what ever make it is.

 

[Adam230K]

Dont be put off by manual mercs, they are absolutely fine and very robust. I heard a rumour from an MB mech that the 202 c-class manual boxes came from vans, or the design does or something similar. Been driving mine 2 years, and if i'm cruising i cannot feel the gearchanges happen at all (all i can feel is my hand shifting the stick through the gears), and my friends always comment on how smooth the upshifts are when i want to pick up speed .

And just to clarify, manuals are usually better on MPG then autos. This could be because of the way auto's work, when u depress the pedal it'll hold onto its gear for a while (making the engine do more work to move the car) before changing up.

 

[st4]

You are right but autos create more Co2, higher up in the tax bracket and i never needed a clutch in all my years of ownership, i think it just depends on the driving but to fix an auto could cost up to £2k. i have had 2 and both failed so it is bye to autos for me.
but look down the forum for gearbox problems, from valeo to MAF to no kickdown to leaky boxes e.t.c, limp mode. even the new 7G tronic GL boxes are getting recalls

I suggest you try both and make your own mind up.
I am done with autos.

I have to admit I do sometimes miss the manual changes and the reward feeling for getting them 100%. If I stick with MB I will have an auto, if I get a BMW (whenever I change cars) I will get a manual.

bad lcuk, two failed auto's is unlucky. MAF is an engine related problem so can effect manual cars too, the rest you list are all auto specific.

 

[recycled]

I have to admit I do sometimes miss the manual changes and the reward feeling for getting them 100%. If I stick with MB I will have an auto, if I get a BMW (whenever I change cars) I will get a manual.

bad lcuk, two failed auto's is unlucky. MAF is an engine related problem so can effect manual cars too, the rest you list are all auto specific.

yeah i know it was a c200 sport and a c180 classic. both failed. i was talking about the gearbox maf. i thought autos had one.
Torque converter went twice on one, and the other was making grinding noises, would not hold the car in park and some other stuff they did not tell me.

 

[flango]

Dont be put off by manual mercs, they are absolutely fine and very robust. I heard a rumour from an MB mech that the 202 c-class manual boxes came from vans, or the design does or something similar. Been driving mine 2 years, and if i'm cruising i cannot feel the gearchanges happen at all (all i can feel is my hand shifting the stick through the gears), and my friends always comment on how smooth the upshifts are when i want to pick up speed .

And just to clarify, manuals are usually better on MPG then autos. This could be because of the way auto's work, when u depress the pedal it'll hold onto its gear for a while (making the engine do more work to move the car) before changing up.

I support the above having a W208 with Brabus tuning pack in manual of course, would never dream of buying an auto.

As for some of the other posts then by no way are MB auto's the best, that goes to another German Marque. Strange how MB never offered a manual in their performance cars when others do.

I mean when did you ever see an auto Ferrari or Lamboghini (unless it was special order) Also strange how MB use a manual box on their DTM car???

Auto for me takes away the driving experience and control, but thats just my opinion and opinions vary.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

yeah i know it was a c200 sport and a c180 classic. both failed. i was talking about the gearbox maf. i though autos had one.
Torque converter went twice on one, and the other was making grinding noises, would not hold the car in park and some other stuff they did not tell me.

The MAF monitors air flow into the engine and so the gearbox wouldn't have a requirement for that measurement.