chazola is onto something there!

Column shifters in most any car got really sloppy as they wore even a little bit. The MB ones that I drove in Germany ca. 1969 to 1971 seemed more substantial than most American car shifters, but they would still be prone to get sloppy and problematic when worn.

The floor shifters are much more substantial and problem free.

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2001 SLK 320 six speed manual
2014 Porsche Cayenne six speed manual

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