Hello all,
My name is Jay, from Spain. I bought an N/A crossfire about nine months ago. I had previously owned a 1984 Porsche 944 for 28 years. I fell in love with that car when I was about 8 years old, as my late father worked in a body repair shop and I had seen a pic of it on the paint polish cans he used.
A 50-yer-old body polish can I've kept all my life.
I got it in December 1995 and sold it last November 2023, with more than half a million Km and still running smooth, the only reason being I fell in love again, this time with the Crossfire.
An absolute wonder ride - raw!
The XF passed quite unnoticed over here when it was first released. One day, browsing a Spanish car swapping app, I saw the rear of the N/A XF and while exclaiming “what an ***!” I decided to get rid of my old banger. I tested a few (scarce) units till I found the one that was to be mine: an N/A 2006 limited model, with 51,000kms in its counter and in mint condition. It was, again, love at first sight: I came, I saw and conquered.
Buying a XF over here is no big deal, as the Merc engine parts are pretty available, and my life-long mechanic is acquainted with the nuts and bolts of this model (the SLK is common). Upon his approval, I took the plunge and went for it with all my might (€10,000 for an N/A March 2006 Crossfire in mint condition). Where I live, 70 miles south of Barcelona, this car is a rarity (legend has it that there’s another one in the city, but never seen it), so I get a lot of attention from car fans.
I’ve been using it for almost a year now; it’s my daily driver, and going to work in it (20 miles a day) has become (again) a real pleasure. I love the handling, the power, the small and slanted windows, frameless doors, the sound when she revs up, the carvings on her timeless and classy body, and even the interior: far from looking cheap as some claim, I find it very alluring taking the kind of car it was designed for -sporty, not a sedan. Furthermore, I love feeling the buttons as opposed to modern screens.
As above stated, this car has been widely ignored in Spain, which means there are no “serious forums” on it that I know of, so I resorted to a Google search in English: and found YOU… Been reading posts for weeks, downloaded PDFs, learnt the car’s guts from its generous and knowledgeable members contributions, who spend hours sharing invaluable tips with the only purpose to keep the car alive for as long as they can. As WE can!
That is why I decided to write to ALL of you today, because thanks to your advice, I know now that my XF can also last another 28 years in good condition. The moment I got it I changed oil (Mobil oil1 0W/40), filters (K&N), spark plugs (iridium) and brake pads.
Since my joining this forum:- I have already bought the bin which will replace the cupholder,
- purchased the CPS and checked RCM’s soldering problems just in case (mine looks as new),
- changed old plate light with LEDs,
- cleaned all vents and drainages,
- checked and cleaned the air intake system, including the sensor,
- got hold of windscreen spindle grommets and wiper screw rubber tops,
- Repaired subwoofers,
- purchased a fire extinguisher,
- Repaired headlight leak.
Future projects:- looking proactively for an alarm siren (I disassembled it, and it was a mess). Till I find the part, I’ve done the relay trick with a buzzer for locking bleep.
- installing the front wheel-to-wheel steering damper (got it),
- about to install the rear diffuser (travelling as we speak),
- removing all wheels to undergo a rim deep cleaning.
- installing 9-Drive.
Needless to say that I got all these ideas from contributors to this forum. So many thanks and thumbs up for sharing their skills, the result of many hours of tampering with the car and most of all, their generosity, which is what actually triggered this post.
THANKS A BUNCH!
It’s a shame that many of the mods proposed in the forum are not legal in Spain, so I have decided to leave the car as-is, powerful enough for a fun ride, but respecting Karmann’s gorgeous design.
On a different note, I believe the Chrysler Crossfire has the best of both worlds: a reliable and proof tested European chassis/mechanics mixed with the cheeky and fun attitude you Americans have when designing a vehicle. There definitely should be more joint ventures like this more often.
Thanks for reading this post.
Friendly headlight flashes from Tarragona.