SLK 200 Reverse Gear problems

[Lancy Lou]

Hi - I wonder if anyone out there can help. I have a manual 2001 SLK which had approx 18,000 miles when I bought it last Summer. It had to go back to the dealer a couple of times for minor faults (which were eventually corrected) however I have always had a problem putting the car in reverse. I askef if they could adjust it at all to make it easier, but it has made no difference. I now find it actually hurts my arm when I lift the gear knob, and have been diagnosed with tennis elbow! I am having physio for it, and having to use my right hand as well as my left to get reverse gear which is uncomfortable.
Is there anything that can be done to ease the problem? My dealer doesn't seem too interested (he'd rather try to sell me a newer, 'automatic' version!) but it is becoming a bit of a pain - in more ways than one.
Any advice would be appreciated..........
Thanks
Lou

 

[MB partsman]

you may find that as the miles pile on it gets easier..... but i have never understood why people buy manual mercs...
all the manual mercs i have driven have sh1t changes, to me a merc IS an auto car!
not withstanding the foot parking brake on most of the models... hell to take off smoothly on a hill.
sorry i cannot give any real advice - other than see what deal you can get on a auto version!

 

[Lancy Lou]

Thanks for replying - I tried both manual & auto when buying, but chose the manual thinking as a sports car it's more fun to drive when you're in control of the gear change. My husband had C class automatic and it felt like an old man's car to drive apart from the foot/hand brake, which as you say was a great feature (he now has a 5 series BMW which has much more 'punch')........ so, looks like I'll have to change to auto - if the price is right of course....
Lou

 

[Lancy Lou]

Well, I've gone and done it! Bought an auto! Same make & model, but a June 2004 model. Lets hope my elbow improves now................

 

[SLKBOYO]

How are you getting on with the auto, which do you prefer ? I also bought a 200 manual 18 months ago, 14500miles although I was advised to go for the auto, I perfer a sports car to be manual. I knew the gear box was not the best made before I purchased, but I had to have it, I am happy with it, although as you know 1st and reverse are a bit knotchy I tend to move around in 2nd 3rd 4th before selecting 1st or reverse it seems to help. The new manual box is apparently a lot better.

 

[OlafMaxwell]

SLKBOYO.....just a tip, having various motor cycles and then Fiats...the gear linkage was the source of a lot of problems....one Fiat in particular...solved by extensive lubrication of the linkage components and adjustment of the linkage. You need to be able to get at them underneath and before putting anything on them check for these nylon lubed for life joints as only certain lubes are compatible with them. Probably worth finding one of the older specialists to look at it.

 

[Lancy Lou]

I must admit that I enjoy the auto more than I expected to! Flooring the accelerator to get the extra kick seems a bit weird,and it takes a while to get used to knocking the gear stick sideways to drop down a gear. However I'm learning! And although I didn't really expect it, the tennis elbow (the reason I changed tha car)....is definitley improving!

 

[pascal]

The only thing is,

Lancy, you will never get a manual car again. The change to Auto for me was as the result of an injury also (ten years ago). I would not even consider a car with a stick shift now. My Mum & Dad are both converts also.

Pascal

BTW. Good luck with your new purchase.

 

[marshie001]

The change to Auto for me was as the result of an injury also (ten years ago).

not your beer drinking arm i hope pascal? :lol:

 

[SLinKyjoe]

where was i when you needed me?

all it takes was a readjustment of the gearbox linkage!!!!!!!

mine manual gear lever came away in my hand when trying to get reverse. some deft nimble fingerwork and it engaged gear and went to dealers. where by i deliberatly abandonded it on the entrance. so they had to move it and fix it.

apparently there was a pin/sleeve something or other that had come adrift. either the gear lever comes away or it gets wedged in the reverse thingy and makes it hard to change...


got an auto myself now...yeayyyyy