Do you rate the 7-g tronic auto box?
Discussion
I'm thinking of a 320cdi or 280cdi E class to replace my D5 V70. My last auto was a 2005 530D which drove me mad,it was a six speed auto that I found really frustrating,slow witted and often in the wrong gear(I thought)
Ive driven the newer 8 speed auto in various BMW X5's and a disco4 and was actually impressed,quite intuitive. How do you find the 7 speed auto fitted to the Mercedes? I know I can just go and drive a few,and I will,i'm just wondering what your thoughts are especially if you have driven a modern 8 speed auto.
Cheers.
Ive driven the newer 8 speed auto in various BMW X5's and a disco4 and was actually impressed,quite intuitive. How do you find the 7 speed auto fitted to the Mercedes? I know I can just go and drive a few,and I will,i'm just wondering what your thoughts are especially if you have driven a modern 8 speed auto.
Cheers.
It's fine. Feels pretty seamless when wafting along, and I don't notice it in the wrong gear often.
It's reluctant to change down in default comfort mode - it prefers to surf the torque, but I guess that's the point. More keen in "sport".
The only thing it does that I note is be reluctant to change down when there's steering angle on. That is, leaving a roundabout it will hold the higher gear on throttle. Which is fine, until you straighten the steering when it then sometimes selects a lower gear abruptly. It's not bad, it's just a little disconcerting.
I've barely used the thing in manual to be honest, and I rarely use sport either.
It's reluctant to change down in default comfort mode - it prefers to surf the torque, but I guess that's the point. More keen in "sport".
The only thing it does that I note is be reluctant to change down when there's steering angle on. That is, leaving a roundabout it will hold the higher gear on throttle. Which is fine, until you straighten the steering when it then sometimes selects a lower gear abruptly. It's not bad, it's just a little disconcerting.
I've barely used the thing in manual to be honest, and I rarely use sport either.
chrisb92 said:
My girlfriend has that box in her CLA 220 CDI and I was pleasantly surprised by it. Very smooth and pretty responsive when accelerating!
It's not the same box - CLA has a dual clutch box like VW DSG.I have an older 5 speed auto but have driven a couple of E Classes with 7 speed boxes and they felt fine. Comments on MB forums suggest they vary - especially they can have issues with delay from start. If you're buying used you have the advantage over new that you can try the actual car you're buying.
Sheepshanks said:
It's not the same box - CLA has a dual clutch box like VW DSG.
I have an older 5 speed auto but have driven a couple of E Classes with 7 speed boxes and they felt fine. Comments on MB forums suggest they vary - especially they can have issues with delay from start. If you're buying used you have the advantage over new that you can try the actual car you're buying.
My bad! Ignore my post then, unless you decide to get a CLA.I have an older 5 speed auto but have driven a couple of E Classes with 7 speed boxes and they felt fine. Comments on MB forums suggest they vary - especially they can have issues with delay from start. If you're buying used you have the advantage over new that you can try the actual car you're buying.
It does sound like its worth the effort seeking a couple out to drive and see what I think for myself.The only thing it does that I note is be reluctant to change down when there's steering angle on. That is, leaving a roundabout it will hold the higher gear on throttle. Which is fine, until you straighten the steering when it then sometimes selects a lower gear abruptly. It's not bad, it's just a little disconcerting.
I've barely used the thing in manual to be honest, and I rarely use sport either.
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I'd second the comments above. I've had my CLS for 3 weeks now and its a silky smooth gearbox. Don't treat it like a manual and you won't go far wrong :-)
I have it in my SLK daily driver. I think it’s a great gearbox as far as automatics go, it’s smooth and responsive and I very rarely find it in the wrong gear. I’ve never had any delays when setting off from a standing start.
If I had any complaints it would be that it doesn’t change up quick enough in manual but as it’s not really that kind of gearbox it’s more of a ‘would like to have’ than a valid complaint.
If I had any complaints it would be that it doesn’t change up quick enough in manual but as it’s not really that kind of gearbox it’s more of a ‘would like to have’ than a valid complaint.
SLK 171 350
I've owned a few autos and reckon that the 7-g tronic the best.
Two moans, the most important being changing gear on a trailing throttle. Disconcerting on a corner. I took to holding the gear in manual.
The second was the manual change. With 7 speeds you are forever moving up or down, and for no purpose. The auto almost always is in the right gear (see previous paragraph).
Almost imperceptible changes when not pushing the car.
Another moan for my early 171 was the silly buttons behind the steering wheel. Changed to flappy paddles later, but much easier to use the gear lever.
Before buying the SLK I drove four auto Boxsters. There was a distinct hesitation on the changes with that box. Not massive but for me to notice it means it was obvious. No such problem with the two 7g 171s I drove.
Edited to add:
If you read the SLK World forums you will see a few complaints as to reliability, the 'plate' needing changing in some early cars.
I've owned a few autos and reckon that the 7-g tronic the best.
Two moans, the most important being changing gear on a trailing throttle. Disconcerting on a corner. I took to holding the gear in manual.
The second was the manual change. With 7 speeds you are forever moving up or down, and for no purpose. The auto almost always is in the right gear (see previous paragraph).
Almost imperceptible changes when not pushing the car.
Another moan for my early 171 was the silly buttons behind the steering wheel. Changed to flappy paddles later, but much easier to use the gear lever.
Before buying the SLK I drove four auto Boxsters. There was a distinct hesitation on the changes with that box. Not massive but for me to notice it means it was obvious. No such problem with the two 7g 171s I drove.
Edited to add:
If you read the SLK World forums you will see a few complaints as to reliability, the 'plate' needing changing in some early cars.
Edited by Derek Smith on Monday 8th February 16:48
PD9 said:
Nice slick box and very smooth. Only complaint I'd have is the second or so delay on kick down when accelerating. Other than that it's great. Always have mine in sport.
Same here, always have it in sport mode as makes more use of the revs and keeps in the right gear for longer.I have the flappy paddles on mine and only use it once to overtake, the auto is just perfect. Way way way better than the DSG in my old Golf R32.
I like the 7-sp auto in my C350 CDi. As others have said, silky smooth, and I rarely use it in manual mode. I do occasionally hit the Sport button which, as well as taking a lower gear and hanging on to the gears for longer, also stiffens the suspension. Only thing I don't like about it is - in auto, if I change down using the steering wheel flappy paddle, it never changes back up. With sound-proofing being so good, I've occasionally noticed I'm still in 3rd at about 4000rpm. My previous Audi S4 V8 would always revert back to Auto mode after changing down manually.
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