Manual Transmission Problems?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 208
Likes: 13
From: Benedict Maryland
Manual Transmission Problems?
Hi, I'm new at posting here but have been an avid reader for two years. Great information on the forum for the C7, which I am hopefully ordering on Monday.
I just watched a video review from a German reviewer who recommends not buying the C7 with a manual transmission. He said that shifting into gears 1-4 were fine, but finding 5th through 7th was really hit and miss.
I test drove a C7 (manual) over this past weekend, but never got to shift over 4th. Loved the car, obviously.
For those of you who drive manuals............what's your experience been about problems/no problems finding higher gears?
Thanks for your input.
Alaskapaul
I just watched a video review from a German reviewer who recommends not buying the C7 with a manual transmission. He said that shifting into gears 1-4 were fine, but finding 5th through 7th was really hit and miss.
I test drove a C7 (manual) over this past weekend, but never got to shift over 4th. Loved the car, obviously.
For those of you who drive manuals............what's your experience been about problems/no problems finding higher gears?
Thanks for your input.
Alaskapaul
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,171
Likes: 4
From: Columbia Maryland
Obviously this 'reviewer' is a complete idiot.
There are lots of reasons people choose automatics over manuals and vice versa, but I've never heard something as lame as 'finding 5th through 7th is hit and miss'. Really?
Driving an automatic is a completely different experience than driving a manual and your choice is base on which experience you want.
There are lots of reasons people choose automatics over manuals and vice versa, but I've never heard something as lame as 'finding 5th through 7th is hit and miss'. Really?
Driving an automatic is a completely different experience than driving a manual and your choice is base on which experience you want.
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Go back and take another test drive. Get it out to the point where you can shift through all the gears and see what you think.
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: NE South Carolina
Hi, I'm new at posting here but have been an avid reader for two years. Great information on the forum for the C7, which I am hopefully ordering on Monday.
I just watched a video review from a German reviewer who recommends not buying the C7 with a manual transmission. He said that shifting into gears 1-4 were fine, but finding 5th through 7th was really hit and miss.
I test drove a C7 (manual) over this past weekend, but never got to shift over 4th. Loved the car, obviously.
For those of you who drive manuals............what's your experience been about problems/no problems finding higher gears?
Thanks for your input.
Alaskapaul
I just watched a video review from a German reviewer who recommends not buying the C7 with a manual transmission. He said that shifting into gears 1-4 were fine, but finding 5th through 7th was really hit and miss.
I test drove a C7 (manual) over this past weekend, but never got to shift over 4th. Loved the car, obviously.
For those of you who drive manuals............what's your experience been about problems/no problems finding higher gears?
Thanks for your input.
Alaskapaul
I have found the cue ball size shift **** (pictured) that I installed shortens the throw and is a help in the side movement control but the OEM **** is not what I would consider a problem. However for someone driving the car for a short time and writing a review it might appear more difficult than it is when driven for a few weeks.
Cue Ball Shift **** Shortens Throw 11.4% Improves Control
Last edited by JerryU; Feb 1, 2015 at 01:01 AM.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 720
Likes: 3
From: Sherman Oaks CA
No problem with it at all and Jerry U's comments above on trusting the reverse lock out for 6th is spot on. After a couple times you get the hang of it. I love the M7 and have never once wanted anything else. It's my only car and I drive it everyday in Los Angeles with no issues or regrets.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 208
Likes: 13
From: Benedict Maryland
This is the link to the review I was watching. Overall, he was VERY positive about the car. But check out his comments at about 26:20 regarding the shift.
Every car I have ever owned, and there have been many, have been manuals, and I wouldn't ever consider an automatic unless I couldn't physically shift for some reason.
Thank you all for your positive comments about the transmission. I was going to order a manual anyhow......just wanted to make sure there was no lingering problem that I hadn't read about.
Ordering Shark Gray Z51, 2LT, manual, stock silver wheels, Kalahari interior.........maybe yellow calipers.
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Racer
Joined: Apr 2014
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From: Minnesota
There is no problem. You might miss a couple of shifts in he beginning but you get used to the shifter and the gates easily. By the end of your break in (500 miles) I'm certain you'll be able to put it in any hear you want without a problem.
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in the beginning I could understand not having a feel for which gear is where. An experienced manual driver will have no issues at all.
And by experienced I mean after a couple of times driving it.
And by experienced I mean after a couple of times driving it.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 45,272
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From: Rochester, NY
Not an issue, not even sure how often you will use 7th gear. Most of your quick shifting Will be 1-4th, the rest you can take your time and really should be fine. The German reviewer was probably used to a PDK transmission or was simply a non shifting non coordinated idiot.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
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From: Muscle Shoals, AL
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I know a little of what the review was talking about. It does take a little time, but you get used to the strong spring pull to the 3-4 gate.
Still, I missed this exact shift twice yesterday and went from 4th to 7th. Of course it was at about 140 mph and I was rushing it. I was running a short airstrip and trying to shift fast while concentrating on the room left for braking.
Under normal street driving, it's not a problem though. For people like the reviewer that do not have experience with this 7 speed, I can understand the problem. If he actually had time to drive it for a while, his perception would change somewhat.
Still, I missed this exact shift twice yesterday and went from 4th to 7th. Of course it was at about 140 mph and I was rushing it. I was running a short airstrip and trying to shift fast while concentrating on the room left for braking.
Under normal street driving, it's not a problem though. For people like the reviewer that do not have experience with this 7 speed, I can understand the problem. If he actually had time to drive it for a while, his perception would change somewhat.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 10,548
Likes: 176
From: Upstate NY
There is significant spring pressure at the gate to 5-6. It might take all of 5 minutes to get the "feel". There is no problem with the M7 in that regard.
(The M6 in my 2006 C6, that was another story.)
