I saw a commercial for the new 2005 c230. Its a pretty cool commercial with a guy racing a train, and firmly rowing through the gears of his MT c230.

Now I thought Mercedes offered no manuals in any model? Or did the c230 always have a MT option available? Or could this be the first manual merc available. Perhaps a sign of more good things to come.

 

Remember the MT TSX vs C230 vs 9-3 comparo? That was a MT C230 and an 03 model I think?

 

was it? I dont remember.

 

It was. I just don't recall if it was an 03 or 04. Probly an 03 since it was spring 03.

 

Check the page.

 

Ya, I guess they offer MT's on their lower end cars. I never knew that (or never paid attention anyways). Now why cant they offer MT's on all their AMG lineup?

 

MB's MT is pretty notchy. I have more faith in their AT's.

 

You can get one on their new SLK, too. And every reviewer says what Dan just did. In the SLK's case, the 7AT is actually faster, too.

 

Second to GM, Mercedes makes some of the best automatics in the industry today. They would probably get more cachet if they added MTs across their lineup and to their AMGs, but I guess simple economics dictates that it's not cost effective as most buyers opt for the ATs anyways.

 

I looked to test drive a C230 with an MT about a year ago and my finding was that it is essentially a non-existent configuration. Dealers didn't have any, said they never get any unless someone special orders them, which I got the impression never happened. Guess they have to offer it to keep up the sporting pretensions but in reality the aristocracy known as the MB buying public does not actually demand it.

 

The C230 Kompressor does indeed come with an MT, but it is one of the worst MT linkages on the market. I've driven both the coupe and sedan models and neither have good MTs. I'd take a pass on them.

 

You should try the 5 speed in the SLK230. It feels very rubbery and a great deal of the components are made of plastic. The 6MT in the C230 is far superior but that's not saying much.

We're blessed with an amazing transmission in the TSX.