I blip and it feels GREAT! I drove one of those new Bently monsters. When you push the button to downshift, the computer blips the engine for you right as the downshift occurs. I've driven several cars with the triptronic auto/stick thing, and, for me personally, the MB gated shifter is MUCh more intuitive for real world driving. The C230 is the first car that I have personally owened. As a new driver I always drove my paretnts' stick shift cars. Then my wife and I inherited her grandmother's stick shift Geo. For where we live, though, a standard transmission is just not practical. That being said, I just can't stand the feeling of coming out of a corner in too high a gear. The gated auto shifter, blending the benefits of a standard and automatic, is the best thing that ever happened to a transmission. Does anyone have proof of an MB auto box failing due to semi-manual shifting? I bet that holding 3rd or 4th for around town driving acutally saves me thousands of shifts from 5 to 4 or 5 to 3. The bottom line is I just don't care, it feels right to me. If the transmission isn't designed to work this way, then I don't want it. Good luck to everyone and enjoy!

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Michael

1988 300 SL (5 Speed)
1994 E320 Wagon
1997 C230