I'm gonna buy in April and want the 6 speed. Every car I've ever owned has been a manual transmission as I really like to row through the gears. I'd noticed reading some posts that a few folks absolutely hate the transmission. Things like "notchy" and "pops out of gear" keep coming up. Is this just some isolated gripes or is the manual really problematic? I really want the manual and hope that MB hasn't put out a turd here. Everything about the car is so perfect it'd be a massive bummer to find out the thing shifts like a truck or worse. How about some feedback from 6 speed owners. Is this really a problem? If so, is there a reasonably priced fix or is this just the way it is? Thanks for all response...

 

the 6 spd could be better, but I haven't had any problems other than it wont go into reverse sometimes with out a few tries. but rarely. I test drove the new eclipse with the 6spd, and it was a lot better, but the eclipse has torque steer like you'd never imagine. They need to come out with a gsx model, all wheel with 300+ hp. That would boost mitsu sales. and with the new skyline, or whatever its going to be called coming back, it would be real nice to see a gsx, and for toyota to bring back the supra.

 

Before you buy, take the specific car out that you're thinking about buying for a good long drive. Drive on as many different kinds of roads as you can, and do plenty of shifting. That should tell you wether or not the tranny shifts to your liking. If you're not satisified with it, ask to try another one. It might be fine.
Sometimes two cars parked next to each other will shift differently.
My 04 Limited does shift alot different than nearly any other standard shift that I've owned before. It just takes some getting used to. Personally, the enjoyment I get out of driving the car out weighs any extra effort I've had to put into "learning" the Mercedes gear box. In 9,500 miles I've really had no problems to speak of.

 

I cannot shift smooth from 1st to 2nd no matter how careful I am but every gear after that is as smooth as glass. Somebody wrote in and said to not use first gear because it's too low anyway. So I tried starting in 2nd and it did fine. Thank you to whoever said that. If you are starting up a hill I would use 1st. I’m considering buying a Convertible and I think I will order the Auto stick.

 

I have an Autostick but from what people say they don't like the manual box but live with it...here in the UK manual is the norm and the XF is the first auto car I have owned. Personally I am impressed but the auto box but realize it isn't the best on out there.

 

i have a six speed and i have had some problems with it. its not very smooth and yeah it did pop out of first gear alot. it about broke my darn finger a couple times but it was a problem with the synchronizer and its a recall so it didn't cost anything to get fixed its fine now.

 

Wow...that doesn't bode well at all! Is it precise? or sloppy? I mean, I'm hearing some unhappy campers right out of the gate. Can you guys be more specific about what it is that you don't like about the thing. I'd really like to get a read on it. Comparisons? Feel? I'll take whatever you got...

 

I think the whole of it has pretty well been answered for you. MB has never been known for a good manual and it shows. The best thing for you would take one for a test drive as suggested.

I have a 6-speed and have driven the auto stick. My opinion, go with the auto stick.

 

I love my six speed car. Having owned six manual trans cars in a row now, I can say that this one is no less satisfying that any of the rest. The car just wouldn't be the same if it was an automatic, IMO.

 

I also love the 6 speed - it has its own unique throw and feel to get used to but after that it gets pretty tight. I have had no problem with popping or otherwise. Of course i am of the school that would choose a stick over auto - especially for this car.

Definitely take it for a ride -

 

yeah first is to low and sux to start in and shifts to 2nd suc. I actually find the shift from 1st to 2nd easier and sometimes smoother when racing. umm... I mean accelerating faster than the car next to you. I think they should of used a five speed. this would eliminate having to shift into third to hit 60, and i'm pretty sure it would improve 0-60 and maybe quarter times. Cause who needs a car that can go 150 unless you live in europe near the autobahn. Lucky germans.

 

Knock on wood I've had no trouble with mine. In fact I like it better than the 5 speed that was in my GT Cruiser. A few times I have slipped and gone from 1st to 4th but that's my problem not the shifter.

Pat

 

My 6 speed was a little stiff for the 1st 3,500 miles. Then loosened up and is now absolutely perfect.

 

My car is currently being lemoned for the popping out of gear problem. It is on tranny #3 and nothing has fixed it yet. For some reason the colder it is the more often it pops out of gear. The other morning I was in the mountains and it was about 20 degrees out and it wouldn't even consider staying in first.

 

The only time I've had problems with the 1st to 2nd shift is when the transmission is cold. After it warms up (in 13F weather), it smoothes out and is fine. It would be interesting to compare the build numbers on the transmissions to the problems to see if a change in the design or manufacture may be the underlying cause of the problem.

 

It's not the smoothest gear-box in the world, but at least you don't have to double-clutch to shift... LOL

BUT... If you get one with the 1st gear syncro problem... WATCH-OUT... Especially since most Chrysler dealers don't know how to repair it properly... It scares the **** out of you when you're accelerating and then LOUD BAM, your in neutral and the stick slaps back in your hand!!!

I've had the syncro problem since I bought the car 2 years ago... It's very random... But I have notified the dealer and do not want it replaced until a few months before my warranty expires... LOL

 

I would have thought that given the torque of the engine, gears 1 to 5 would be as a five speed box and 6th an overdrive to keep the revs down on the highway.

Auto delivers good mileage in fifth. Did a 370 mile run on one tank and got 32 mpg, all in fifth so the tranny would be locked, cruse control on 80 mph, (gps reading 76 mph). (Thats 32 mpg with UK gallons ie 4.546 litres, US gallon is 3.785 litres so 26.6 miles to the US gallon?)

Ever use 6th on the track HDDP? Infact do you use 1st or 5th much?

 

The tranny takes a bit of getting used to but after a while it works pretty well. Mine's a little stiff until it gets warmed up but then it shifts real nice. I find that the more I drive this car, the better it gets. I have put 12,000 miles on it since August and I find that the more mileage I put on the smoother it gets.

It must be a German machinery thing because in the BMW bike world motors are considered "green" until they have 20k - 30k miles on them.

 

I've always had difficulty shifting from 1st to 2nd. It's imprecise and clunky making quick and smooth shifts a challenge. It recently popped out of first a couple times (first time in 2.5 years) so they replaced the synchronizer. After they botched that, I got a new transmission. Now it's worse than ever. When shifting from 1st to 2nd when the car is cold (<40 deg), I practically come to a stop. It is TERRIBLY stiff. When it's warmed up, it's about as bad as the original transmission.

I'm a huge fan of rowing my own, but if I had it to do again, I'd go with the auto.

 

Fascinating...I can't find a TSB or Recall for this problem anywhere. Not on the '03, '04 or '05. You would think with a problem this prevalent that there would be some kind response from DC. Also interesting to note that when I look up reviews on the XF I've actually read things from Professional Reviewers that reference the "buttery smooth manual transmission as being the one to choose over the Autostick. Buttery smooth? Granted I only found two references that alluded to that, but it shows how much subjectivity there is when comes to things as visceral as "feel". As has been stated before, I think I'll really need to take a real world drive in both before I make my decision. But the reality is, for me at least, I don't know if I'd ever be happy with the Auto, no matter how well it works. I just love to be part of the driving experience and for me that entails being able to clutch, shift, downshift etc, etc. I've always felt more with a stick as though I'm the master of the vehicle.
Thank you for all your interesting and knowledgeable opinions. It's helped me a lot!