SL350 Tip auto or Seq auto - how can I tell?

[super fandango]

Hi all,

I'm new to this forum so hello to start but I'm looking at buying a UK SL350 around 5-6 years old.

I believe the gearbox options are seq auto and tip auto.
I understand the differences and will probably opt for the tip auto but can anyone tell me if there are any visible differences on the vehicle?
Having looked on classified pictures I can't see any difference around the shifter, so just wondering if there is anything distinguishable to save me a trip to a dealer or seller to find out it's the wrong gearbox option.

Also, does the log book state tip or sequential auto should I go and look at a car?

Any help or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

Matt

 

[lxi]

as far as I'm aware, you are talking about the paddle/button shift.

if so,there isn't really any option - you have conventional auto (drive, reverse etc) and using the gear lever, you are able to shift manually (left=down, right=up) or switch settingto "M" (manual) so you use the buttons on the steering wheel on the same basis. In either mode, the car won't let you do anyything silly that would damage it or the engine.

That's how mine works anyway.

More to the point, it isn't an either/or - the feature is there, so no choice to make.

But yes, you should go look !!

 

[super fandango]

Thanks for the reply but I was under the impression the seq auto is actually clutchless manual (no torque converter) whereas the tip auto is a conventional auto with torque converter.

Maybe I've been mis-informed but I'm sure someone will come along and enlighten me.

 

[Racerboy2003]

I agree with LXI, as far as I am aware the autobox is exactly the same. The sequential piece comes from the fact that when in "manual" mode you go up and down the box ie, 1st, 2nd, 3rd etc. You cannot go from 1st to 3rd without going through 2nd. This is acheived by sending electrical signals (pulse) to the box, either by pushing the selector lever forward or backwards, or by pushing the up/down buttons on the back of the steering wheel. Tiptronic is actually a Porsche coined term for this type of gear selection process.
What I'm not sure about is if the SL350 ever came without the buttons on the steering wheel.
Incidentially, the SL55s came with the buttons, or optionally FI type paddles, but they all do the same thing.

Malc

 

[super fandango]

Chaps,

Judging by the many reviews I've read it would suggest there are two gearbox box options.

Here are a couple of quotes from motoring journalists:

"The SL 350 also comes with a manual gearbox as standard, albeit one with electronic actuation. Automatic transmission, which is much more in keeping with the car’s character, costs another £670."

About the SL350 compared to the SL500:
"Less obviously, we lose the five-speed automatic transmission, replaced with a six-speed Sequentronic manual with steering-wheel buttons. Adding auto costs £670"

If there are different gearbox/changing options what are visible differences in the cockpit if any?
If the seq auto has 6 spd but tip auto 5 spd then is there a gear selection indicator on the dashboard?


Matt

 

[Burger]

I don't know if there is anything visibly different as I don't know if the lettering on the top of the gear knob is any different. It does seem though that those with the Sequentronic manual box are often advertised as SL 350 SEQ. If you're interested in a particular car and want to check it out, get it's VIN and then there are people here who would be able to look up the original equipment etc.

What I do know is that many people it seems advise keeping clear of the SEQ box. It can't have been that brilliant as MB dropped it from the SL in 2006 having only intro'd it in 2004. Are you sure you can't stretch to a 2006 facelift model? The engine is completely new, more power, better economy and it's mated to the fantastic 7G box. Understand if you can't of course, but wanted to be sure you're aware of the difference.

Regards,

 

[Racerboy2003]

Apologies, my experience with SL's only extends to 2004 models. IMO I would not touch these types, the only time I hear them being discussed is because they have gone faulty, this was with an A Series Merc and a BMW M3.

 

[st4]

Chaps,

Judging by the many reviews I've read it would suggest there are two gearbox box options.

Here are a couple of quotes from motoring journalists:

"The SL 350 also comes with a manual gearbox as standard, albeit one with electronic actuation. Automatic transmission, which is much more in keeping with the car’s character, costs another £670."

About the SL350 compared to the SL500:
"Less obviously, we lose the five-speed automatic transmission, replaced with a six-speed Sequentronic manual with steering-wheel buttons. Adding auto costs £670"

If there are different gearbox/changing options what are visible differences in the cockpit if any?
If the seq auto has 6 spd but tip auto 5 spd then is there a gear selection indicator on the dashboard?


Matt

I am sure this is incorrect.

IIRC it was only a Torque convertor auto offered in the UK, don't know about euro spec cars.

Note some are 5speed automatic and some are 7speed (from 2004 onwards IIRC).

 

[Burger]

I am sure this is incorrect.

IIRC it was only a Torque convertor auto offered in the UK, don't know about euro spec cars.

Note some are 5speed automatic and some are 7speed (from 2004 onwards IIRC).

I'm sure this is incorrect. While I believe 99% of SL's sold in the UK had the full auto boxes, there's no doubt that some 2004/2005 SL's (350's) in the UK are fitted with the SEQ manual gearbox. It was a surprise to me too, but scour the second hand ads and you'll find a few. The confusion comes in because the dealers call it an SEQ auto (as it does automatically change gear) but in reality it's a manual box and clutch automatically operated. Everything I've been able to read about it so far suggests steering well clear of it.

Also, I thought the 7G box was introduced with the 2006 facelift SL. I don't think it was ever fitted to a pre 2006 facelift SL 350. Happy to be proved wrong on this of course.

Regards,

 

[blaser24nig]

Are you sure you can't stretch to a 2006 facelift model? The engine is completely new, more power, better economy and it's mated to the fantastic 7G box. Understand if you can't of course, but wanted to be sure you're aware of the difference.

Regards,

Not to talk of the water ingress problems (leaks) of the pre facelift years....

 

[whitenemesis]

From a review of the C220 Sport Coupe 2004, to illustrate the two types of autobox available then

"Now the car comes standard as a 6 speed manual, but you can have either the Automatic Tiptronic version, or the Sequential 6 speed of which I had. I have driven all these gearboxes in different cars, but I found the Sequential to be superb on this model. A very brief explanation for those who do not know what a sequential gearbox is: a stick that you push up to change gear and down to change gear the other way. You do not use a clutch as it is semi automatic, but you can also select fully automatic if you wish."

 

[jaymanek]

The SL's only come with Full Auto boxes, the Sequential boxes arent great IMO and only came on Smart, A Class, C Class etc.

 

[Burger]

The SL's only come with Full Auto boxes, the Sequential boxes arent great IMO and only came on Smart, A Class, C Class etc.

So everyone selling a 2004/2005 SL 350 SEQ doesn't know what they're talking about or selling?

Great.

 

[jaymanek]

Ive never ever seen one and I wouldnt go by dealers adverts, most havent a clue - id bet that the sellers are referring to the paddle shift option.

 

[Burger]

There is no question in my mind that the following ad is for a 2004 SL350 with a sequential box...

Buy a used Mercedes-Benz SL Series Convertible SL 350 2dr SEQ Auto car

One typo, fair enough, but three? Unlikely.

SEQ, Semi-Auto, 6 speed (The full auto was 5 speed in 2004).

Am I wrong?

 

[jaymanek]

You may be right but I see a lot of these and have never seen a sequential... I cant imagine who would buy one...

 

[Alan @ cbf]

Sequentail or Tip Auto

I have been looking for an SL 350 and nobody can tell me the difference between a SEQ and TIP Auto. The dealers seem to all have a different explanation.

The most honest dealer so far simply shrugged his shoulders!

Surely Mercedes has given some tech info?

Can't even find a decent review.