[krupple]

Is there a difference in acceleration in the slk230?

From what I understand, the 32 is only auto, because there was no way to make it any faster because it switches is about 1/200th of a second.

What's the best way to accelerate with an auto? I know some cars have sweet spots in the pedal for certain gears, and you aren't always just supposed to floor it.

 

[Bruce R.]

Under ideal conditions the stick should be a very slight bit quicker. Under practical conditions, there is no difference. The SLK transmission has lock up in all but first gear, so even at top end there isn't enough difference to argue about, although some might think otherwise .. []

 

[Kirill]

SLK 1st gear is very short - AUTO switches much faster and unless you abuse a clutch - i say AUTO & manual speed difference is negligble. Just a personal preference.

 

[430]

It depends.

The manual has the potential to be faster, it has less drive line loss and can chane gears faster.

The Auto will be more consistent.

For all intents and purposes the differences are so small it does not really matter.

 

[felkhound]

I know that I prefer the auto when I'm in bumper to bumper traffic. The stick is more fun on the curvey roads, makes me feel more in control.

 

[Jeff Kushner]

I agree with Felkhound...I bought an Auto for two reasons....one, that I couldn't find a manual in perfect condition locally and two, I hate a stick in traffic. Other then the knowledge that my auto uses more energy leaving less for the rear wheels...I love my auto with the true slap-stick, it works very well when I get in a playful mood.

 

[krupple]

Alright, so auto and manual sound about the same. How about the accelerator though, if you want max accel speed, is there a sweet spot on the pedal (for specific gears), or do you just floor it?

 

[430]

I really miss a stick. Never bothered my driving one in stop & go traffic.

 

[mihaley23]

i drive a stage 3 spec clutch everday in my SLK, i love it, ill admit when im starting on hills in traffic i wish i went for stage 2, i used to work at the dealership and i drove alot of SLKs, 320's 230's both in manual and auto, there about the same to me

 

[upstate engineer]

I test drove several auto before I found a manual to try. Within 30 sec of driving the manual, I knew I wouldn't be content with an auto. It may not really be any faster in a quarter mile from a standing start but the feeling you get when you enter a tight curve at speed and downshift one gear and then punch the pedal cannot be matched with an auto. So I agree with those you say it is personel preference over any performance difference.

On the plus side, manual transmissions require less maintenance and are more durable than autos. Milage is better too. I commute 30 miles each way to work. 20 mi is expressway and 10 is local highways and I get 30 mpg. On longer trips where I am on the interstate for 400 to 700 miles in a day I'll get 33 mpg.

 

[larryk]

upstate engineer - 4/5/2006 7:54 PM

I test drove several auto before I found a manual to try. Within 30 sec of driving the manual, I knew I wouldn't be content with an auto. It may not really be any faster in a quarter mile from a standing start but the feeling you get when you enter a tight curve at speed and downshift one gear and then punch the pedal cannot be matched with an auto. So I agree with those you say it is personel preference over any performance difference.

On the plus side, manual transmissions require less maintenance and are more durable than autos. Milage is better too. I commute 30 miles each way to work. 20 mi is expressway and 10 is local highways and I get 30 mpg. On longer trips where I am on the interstate for 400 to 700 miles in a day I'll get 33 mpg.

As the old saying goes, "Your mileage may vary." EPA figures for the 1999 SLK230 actually show a 1 mpg difference in the auto and manual for the 1999 230. The auto 230 gets 1 mpg better city mileage according to EPA results. 22 vs 21. Both come in at 30 highway. But hey, who cares.

As for shifting down 1 gear in a curve and punching it, you can sure do that just fine slap shifting the auto. Just my $.02 USD.

 

[Bruce R.]

In answer to your question, just punch it.................

If your at a stop light and want to drag race, brakes on and gas to 1,000 - 1,500 rpm. When the light turns, release the brakes and floor it. The torque band on Benz engines is very flat and long, if you stnd a chance at all of beating the other car there isn't a whole lot that you can do wrong... []

 

[YellowSLK230]

krupple - 4/5/2006 9:29 AM

Is there a difference in acceleration in the slk230?

From what I understand, the 32 is only auto, because there was no way to make it any faster because it switches is about 1/200th of a second.

What's the best way to accelerate with an auto? I know some cars have sweet spots in the pedal for certain gears, and you aren't always just supposed to floor it.

SLKs have "fly-by-wire" throttles, you tell the computer what you want to do, it opens the throttle body the right amount for engine conditions to try to do what you asked for. Its hard to believe that a partial throttle would tell it what you want is full available acceleration.

I believe the AMG engines are automatics because they don't have a manual gearbox with the required torque handling capability. The AMG transmissions are modified from standard production to shift around 30% faster, but that is the only major change, and no, they aren't going to shift in 5 milliseconds. The same basic automatic in the 230 is the one handling over 700 ft-lbs of torque in a turbocharged V-12; its somewhat conservatively rated.

 

[Bruce R.]

I believe the AMG engines are automatics because they don't have a manual gearbox with the required torque handling capability.

That's close, it's actually the clutch that can't handle the torque. Gearboxes are typically well under rated for their installations. The other reason is because most Mercedes drivers are not interested in stick shift trannys. Even the high performance 16 valve 190E cars (street able race cars in their time) where produced with an automatic trans. Less then 1/2 were stick.
95% of all Mercedes are automatic, that could be the reason Benz is reluctant to put money into a stick.

 

[SLK32 AMG]

Ahh the 190E, we had one of those in the early 90's, With a stick! Very Smooth.

When I had the slk 200 Komp, my main gripe was the gearbox, In fact I took it too the dealer, because I was convinced there was something wrong with it. It wasnt wery Mercedes-Like, very crude, in fact my Volvo S40 i upgraded from had a better Shift. In the end, it was one of the reasons for changing it (as well has wanting more power). Also in the UK, reselling was harder because ppl expect mercs to have autos's. My mum who had the 190E also said the SLK stick was horrible to change, in comparison to her merc, and wouldnt drive mine! It used to occasionally cruch, and you had to change from 1st to 2nd very quickly, too quickly I thought. The SLK32 AMG is the 1st AUTO I have ever had, first it was weird, but now I love it. Very Quick, one pump it flies, pump past the pressure point, HOLD ON, and watch the traction control Light flash. Mums got the S-class now, she wouldnt go back to a stick.

I quashed a audi TT 3.2 quattro on the highway, trying to race me, no need for stick. I'm sure my car is derestricted, because it went to 160mph?? or maybe the momentum took it. I didnt realise I was going that fast till I looked at the dial, 100-140 is very fast. The needle just flicks right! []]

It was Very Smooth, my old toyota would shake at 90! With Auto's sometimes I dont realise the speed, you have to look at the dial, as your not changing gear manually. In the AMG u do get a satisfying opening of the bellows though, to remind you. VERY easy to drive too fast.

Off the mark, I dont notice much difference, just have to watch road conditions and try not to alert traction control too early, at the lights, I have never been passed, even with it being an AUTO.
But I think I would probably hate the Auto if the engine was smaller?? Ahh I love my AMG.

 

[tungster]

SLK32 AMG - 4/8/2006 10:16 AM

Ahh I love my AMG.

Amen to that!!!!!!!