Manual or Automatic Transmission
 

I'd just like to know who preferes which type of transmission and why. I personally prefer the manual. They are lower maintenance, last longer, have a simpler design, so easier to fix and diagnose, and they are more efficient with fuel and power (a necessity for the 240D), and, of course, they are more fun to drive.

So far 100% in favor of manuals!

Very much depends on the chassis and engine.

I prefer the automatic with the Turbocharged engines because they pull really hard before during and after the shift with no loss of boost. They are a very robust automatic.
I prefer the standard with 240's without a doubt, and probably with the NA OM617 also.
I prefer the automatic for the E300 diesel because an autotranny "fits the car"...

Another question. For manual dieselheads like me, as in we prefer a manual transmission diesel to any car, would you rather drive a manual gasser, or an auto diesel (I assume nobody would touch an auto gasser)?

My thoughts are along the same line, tom. Age is catching up with me. I've generally had standards for my daily drivers but my knee is at the point where I want an auto. And plowing snow really takes its toll now. For a weekend fun/sports car I'd still want a standard.

In the area I live in I favor an Automatic at this time only because 98% of my driving is city driving and much of it stop and go. In stop and go traffice I sometime find myself lugging the Engine or slipping the clutch because of the traffic situation.
The other reason is my Wife cannot use a Manual Transmission. While I managed to do the daunting task of teaching her how to drive a car to the point were she passed here on the road driving test the 1st time. I do not think I could handle the stress of training here to use a Stick Shift; nor do I want to ruin my clutch or transmissin in the process.
So for the practicality of the above I now favor an Automatic.

That being said I am most often driving my Volvo (the Mercedes is the Wife's car) which has a Manual Transmission with an Overdrive. It is at its best on the Freeway in Overdrive.
If I knew I was going somewhere where there was a good chance of long periods of stop and go traffic I would make sure I took the Mercedes.

Perhaps because I've always driven early cars with stick and clutch I consider it second nature,and some of my cars have really heavy clutches.

Despite it's comfort and smooth ride I sometimes fancy swapping my '98 E300 for a manual 123.

I peffer manual in any car, diesel or not. But hold on a second..

So You are saying that auto in turbo diesel is actually better and has better power transfer?

Indeed it does. I'd not want a manual in my cars....unless it was for a fun weekend driver. Too much stop and go traffic around here....no point. Driving the Rav4 is a pain because of the 5speed, you always have to shift! No relaxation!

Manual in my Jetta,The MB is supposed to be my wifes car so its automatic,she rarely drives it anyway seems wherever we go i end up driving.Not that she cannot drive a standard,she learned to drive before she ever heard of an automatic,says she "just does not want to" Don

Up until about 5-6 years ago I flat out WOULD NOT BUY a vehicle with an automatic. Waste of power and mpg, plus one less aspect of the vehicle's operation being under my complete control.

However, once I started four-wheeling my Jeep (with an automatic) I quickly learned to like it. I wouldn't even consider choosing a manual tranny for an offroad vehicle now. After getting used to driving the auto in traffic, I have come to prefer automatics over manual transmissions in everything but pickups and sports cars.

Guess I'm gettin' old too...

x2 --- old sports injury.

depends on the car and type of engine. for instance, when i drive my dads 190E 2.3-16, thats a car that needs a manual transmission. i drove an auto 190E of the same year and it wasnt the same. but when im driving a 300SDL, i much prefer auto transmissions. just the size of the car and how much pedal it needs to get moving wouldn't be beneficial i think. and the auto trannys in those cars are pretty solid. i don't think that many of the old diesels are nice with manuals but ive never driven one so don't take it from me. if i could find a manuel 280SL, that would be great.

i guess it just depends. of the car. if you have a good feel with the clutch any car is possible to drive, but is it nice to drive