I posted this in the transmission section also but wanted to see if it might get a bit more action over here.

I'm in the market for a new car and a dealership in the area has a 2003 cls six speed with 80k miles for sale. Carfax shows that it had the 100k mile tuneup last year with everything replaced that needs to be replaced.

It runs great and drives great...but I have one concern. The car won't shift into fifth gear when the motor is off or when the car is idling. It will only shift into fifth when at a cruising speed on the freeway. However, it will shift into sixth gear whenever you want.

Is this a design feature on these cars or does anyone else have the same experience? The dealer tried to tell me it's a standard lockout mechanism feature...but i'm inclined to call BS.

Thanks for the help!

 

I tested this and I have the same experience, can't shift into 5th, doesn't seem like BS after all. I'm guessing you don't have anything to worry about and considering the 100k service has been done and the low mileage, it sounds like you found a good one.

 

Recent CLS 6speed owner chiming in. I am able to shift into every gear while the motor is off or idle. Sometimes it locks up and won't go in 5th in those cases, this rarely happens.

 

Mine does the same thing, should not be an issue.

 

color? price?

 

Red with tan interior with navi. Asking $10.7k but they'll go for $10k.

What do you think? Overpriced? Good deal?

 

Should Go For More Like 9K

 

Mine shifts into every gear.

Are you sure you're not confusing 6th and Reverse? If you shift into reverse while thinking it is 6th, it obviously won't shift up (no gear above reverse).

 

Mine shifts into any gear when off or idling.

How would Carfax know about maintenance performed?

 

Very good point. Make sure you're one click over, not 2 which would put you into the reverse gate.

 

Not confusing sixth with reverse...went and drove it again just to double check.

here's the carfax...maintenance shows up on the report.

http://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistory...YA41783A000850

 

Interesting. Suppose that's because they brought it to a dealership rather than a private shop.

 

Whenever a car is serviced at the dealer, the service record goes to carfax. It could have been an oil change it will show there.

 

so it seems like 50-50 as to who can and can't shift into fifth.

anyone else care to chime in? seems strange that half can and half can't.

 

Mine doesn't shift into 5th at idle either.

 

The gear in question was 5th. There is no way of confusing 5th with 6th or reverse.

 

If one pushed the gear lever over too far and attempted to push up, it wouldn't go into 5th as it'd be over in the area one pushes it to go the reverse gate. From the neutral position, pressing the stick to the right you will feel it click once into the area for the 5th and 6th throw but pushing it too far it will click a 2nd time into the reverse throw portion. Someone could mistake this farther spot for the 5th gate when the car is not in motion and the reverse gate is opened via the lockout solenoid.

 

I get that but, 5th is up and 6th and reverse are down. No confusion there.

 

I don't think you get it at all actually.

 

There is no lockout on 5th gear, only reverse (and only when the car is moving).

Mine sometimes goes through all gears easily while the motor is off, and sometimes it won't. Its a non issue. Now if it won't go into 5th while driving, then there is cause for concern.

 

I don't think he does either.

I was saying that it's easy to push over to this position thinking you're over only one group from neutral. Attempting to push up into 5th would not work. I've seen it happen a lot with new drivers to standard transmissions.

 

No, actually I understand fully. All I'm saying is, lockout or not, someone asked if the op was confusing 5th for 6th/reverse. I just said that's impossible. I'm not trying to argue with you guys just pointing out that that is unlikely.

 

count another vote for being able to shift into all gears at idle or off.

 

Either you don't understand, or you're retarded. No one except you said anything about confusing 5th for 6th/reverse.

It's possible that he is confusing 6th for reverse. That is not impossible and, in fact, is quite likely.