ML tiptronic - what is it ?

[bsw2600]

I have a 2000 ML270 6 speed and I find the foot operated parking brake a bit tedious, living as I do in the Pennines, so I'm thinking of changing to a later auto model all of which seem to be described as "tiptronic". Could someone please tell me if this is a conventional auto box or something similar to the "sprintronic" or whatever fitted to a friends sprinter van.
I drove this vehicle yesterday and thought that the transmittion setup either in Auto or Manual was awful. In auto the changes seem to take forever and it is possible to "beat the system" by driving slowly in 2nd gear on the flat before turning into a steep hill, something we do around here all the time. The system decides that it cannot make it in 2nd when the vehicle is almost stalled it then disengages drive whilst it finds 1st during which time the van stops and starts to roll backwards if the driver is not aware of what's happening and hits the brakes. I think it's actually ****** dangerous and I hope someone can tell me that the ML has a better system than this.

 

[Matt Crooke]

I believe tiptronic can either be a full automatic, or a clutchless manual.

Having the gear lever in one position will make the gearbox change as a conventional automatic, but move it into the other setting and you have the ability to flick up and down the gears manually by pushing the lever back and forwards. SOme tiptronic systems have the buttons or paddles behind the steering wheel to give it that F1 appeal!

I may be totally wrong, so wait for another answer before getting your cheque book out!

All the best

 

[Richard W]

I'm actually looking at an ML270 as my next purchase and would be interested to hear your opinion of the manual one. My C220 is a manual and I've got used to the parking brake (mind you - Berskhire's not like the Pennines).

I tried an auto the other day and I wouldn't say it's like the van you described - it appeared to be simply an autobox with a manual selector (click the gear lever left or right to go up and down the gears). I then tried the manual and found it much quicker (no torque converter) and quieter, so I'm leaning towards the six speed.......

We did try the A with a clutchless manual - what a waste of space that was!!

HTH

R

 

[piestore]

Tiptronic

Hi

The tiptronic ML box is the same as the auto box fitted to all the range (722.6) the tip function just allows you to change up and down the gears manually by moving the selecta leaver sideways this is instead of the old gate system on the older shift leavers (P,R,N,D,3,2,1,)

 

[bsw2600]

Hi Piestore

Thanks for that clear response, I might risk having a demo in one now.

Richard W - I think that the 6 speed box is fine - it's just the parking brake and the number of hill starts we have to do around here that's the problem. The wife simply will not drive the car which is a bit of a nuisance. If your looking for a slighly used 6 speeder you can have mine for about £22,500. Its only done 15K miles and is in really good condition but that's about all I will get in PX.

I can't agree with you about the clutchless A class. We had a 1.6 Avantgarde as a second car last year when we lived in Warwickshire and we loved it. It reminded me of the Mini Cooper "S"s that we had in the 60's. We sold it as soon as we came up here because the roads are so bad it was unbearable.

Regards

 

[Richard W]

Sounds interesting..... What's the spec/options etc?

Richard

 

[bsw2600]

Hi Richard

It's a Sept 2000 (x) vehicle in Titanite Red metallic with anthracite cloth trim. It has privacy glass, side protection bars and a tow bar (but I might remove this). Last year when we moved up here I bought an Ivor Williams 10' box trailer to move the furniture and it towed it fantastically.
It's been main dealer serviced and is in good condition. I bought it in Aug. 2001 from MB Kettering.

If you're interested I'll give you a privat email address so we can continue discussions off the board.

Regards

Brian

 

[Richard W]

Sorry Brian, the car sounds excellent, but my wife doesn't like the colour.....( :x )

When will these women learn to look beyond cosmetics!

Thanks anyway,

Richard