Stick It - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

aklim · #31 03-04-2010, 08:13 AM

I could put a manual valve body, IIRC, in some transmissions where you can manually shift but like I said, other than the macho factor, I really don't see what fun there is in shifting. I thought that once I got proficient at it, I might see the fun but months later, nothing.

raymr · #32 03-04-2010, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

I tried a stick once and thankfully, I sold it and didn't lose money. I haven't found a need for the stick drive except for autocrossing. City driving, they are a royal PITA. The only thing I can think of where it helps is if you want to have a sports car and want to fit the traditional image of a sports car to make the boys happy

With a light clutch and good solid shifter I think it makes driving a lot more fun. Love downshifting and using engine braking into turns, and then you are right in engine's sweet spot coming out. Sure, you can do that with an auto trans but after a while you kind of forget and don't bother.

Plus a few more Toyota drivers would still be alive if they were driving stick.

aklim · #33 03-04-2010, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raymr

With a light clutch and good solid shifter I think it makes driving a lot more fun. Love downshifting and using engine braking into turns, and then you are right in engine's sweet spot coming out. Sure, you can do that with an auto trans but after a while you kind of forget and don't bother.

Plus a few more Toyota drivers would still be alive if they were driving stick.

I learned all that on a $150 beater stick car before I went to a performance car. I got to the point that I could shift without engaging the clutch consistently but still found no real fun.

Having seen the wife get into an accident with a stick, I think that if you cannot disengage the auto or stand on the brakes, I am not sure what the stick will do since you still have to do something.

lutzTD · #34 03-04-2010, 11:45 AM

I love my 300CD with the manual. I got a marked increase in milage and its a lot more fun to drive. 30 year old MB autos are just too temperamental for my taste. I had a 5 spd in my jeep before I did the engine switch. that one was really annoying in traffic. My excursion would suck with a stick, but my freind bought the 5 spd in his dodge duelly because he likes the control. For me I like the option and the choice, its different for each vehicle and use

aklim · #35 03-04-2010, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lutzTD

I love my 300CD with the manual. I got a marked increase in milage and its a lot more fun to drive. 30 year old MB autos are just too temperamental for my taste. I had a 5 spd in my jeep before I did the engine switch. that one was really annoying in traffic. My excursion would suck with a stick, but my freind bought the 5 spd in his dodge duelly because he likes the control. For me I like the option and the choice, its different for each vehicle and use

On that old an auto, I'd be nervous too. Like I said, they took a while till it got more popular and became better. On a newer car, say 90 and up, I'd be as confident with an auto as can be since they got most of the bugs out.

G-Benz · #36 03-04-2010, 01:43 PM

Stick is a PITA in the city if your clutch pressure mimics doing 300# leg lifts!

I learned to drive stick in my old Beetle...VERY forgiving manual setups, perfect for first-timers.

Came in handy later when I had to drive the music store's piano delivery truck with a "three on the tree"!

I remember when I purchased my first new car, a Mazda MX-6. Deliberately selected the manual tranny so my girlfriend would not be able to drive it!

If more people drove manual-equipped vehicles, we wouldn't be seeing threads about "banning texting while driving"...

Skippy · #37 03-04-2010, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G-Benz

Stick is a PITA in the city if your clutch pressure mimics doing 300# leg lifts!

Sounds like "Bubblegum." That was an ancient Kenworth we had at one of my old jobs. It originally came with a 12V71 Detroit, but had been converted to an N-series Cummins with an 8LL. The clutch was brutal, it didn't have power steering, and it was so old it didn't even have brakes on the front axle. I drove it once and that was enough.

Fortunately, most clutches aren't like that anymore.

Quote:

If more people drove manual-equipped vehicles, we wouldn't be seeing threads about "banning texting while driving"...

QFT

iwrock · #38 03-04-2010, 03:21 PM

I prefer autobox in the Mercedes, as I use them as long disance cruisers.

But in something sporty, say a Sprite or Midget, I would get a manual transmission. More control in a car like that is not a bad thing.

JEBalles · #39 03-04-2010, 07:01 PM

Some cars can get away with having automatics. I don't like seeing cheap passenger cars with automatics. After that, it's pretty much a matter of personal preference, and mine is strongly towards manuals.

Skippy · #40 03-04-2010, 11:27 PM

I spent about five hours today doing the "adjust, test drive, let cool, repeat" cycle trying to get the automatic in my 250 to shift the "right" way. After all that time, I got the part throttle shifting where I want it, but sometimes it still flares the 2-3 shift at WOT (but only some of the time

), and the WOT 3-4 is sometimes (don't get that one either) way too early. At least now I can finally chirp a tire on the 1-2 shift.

Stick is much much much better than an old 4-bolt automatic.

Jim Anderson · #41 03-09-2010, 11:01 PM

The only thing I have that doesn't have a standard transmission is my trailer

rwthomas1 · #42 03-11-2010, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob Pruijt

In Europe 80% of the cars have a manual transmission, automatics are still considered a luxury. Nearly everybody learns to drive with a manual, if you do your driving test with a automatic you get a special license and are not allowed to drive with a manual transmission. In practice only disabled or technically very challenged people do this.

Rob

Hahahahaha! Now thats funny! There isn't a manual trans vehicle I can't drive. Motorcycles all the way to Tractor trailers. Started when I was 14. Can't imagine not being able to drive a standard trans. Anyone who can't is basically an idiot.

I think the push in the US is for better fuel economy and emissions. The computer controlled automatics do a better job at this than a clueless manual trans driver. Used to be that an automatic required more hp to operate so less hp made it to the pavement. The new units are much, much better. VW's DSG system is essentially two manual transmissions being run by a computer to operate automatically. Best of two worlds, until the electrons revolt that is.

For years I drove only stick shift. I finally sold the 3/4ton HD pickup with 5spd for a new truck with automatic. Its much easier around town and hooking up the trailer. Stop-n-go the auto is better but not much provided the clutch is light like the TDI. Once cruising the choice of trans matters little.

The widespread use of automatics by american drivers simply confirms that americans are getting fatter, stupider and lazier by the minute. Not exactly a surprise.

RT

aklim · #43 03-11-2010, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwthomas1

Anyone who can't is basically an idiot.

The widespread use of automatics by american drivers simply confirms that americans are getting fatter, stupider and lazier by the minute. Not exactly a surprise.

Anyone can have gay sex too. Doesn't mean everyone will want to or like it. Stick driving is not like some sort of holy grail that only the few that are deemed worthy will have it.

Gee, I didn't know that was the defining point.

Pooka · #44 03-11-2010, 04:53 PM

I like a stick better if I am on a icy or muddy road, but my older knees sure do complain!

PaulC · #45 03-11-2010, 05:22 PM

Don't get me going about automatic transmissions - I'm still pissed about the electric starter.