Yup that is why 1st is good for going up the side of a wall....slowly.
(and why replacing the engine with a 300hp 87 PON Pentastar wouldn't be that hard).

 

The seat does not go back farther because the SLK chassis of the is shortened..

 

Hardly. Of the big three Chrysler was the most innovative. Your statement ignores the facts surrounding the development of the Crossfire. Other than Stoddard's design of the body, everything was based on Daimler, and a repurpose of the SLK320 1996 design.


A Chrysler badged Mercedes.
You would suggest they are too cheap to innovate?

 

Agree Chrysler always did more with less money than any of the big three. IMNSHO they had the best engineering (at GM the mark of a hero was to save a penny on a design).


That said at least on the gold coast they also had a reputation for rusting out on the dealer lot.


That Chrysler was given an obsolete Merc design for a halo car is not really surprising. Chrysler had nothing in this form factor. That they sold over 70,000 of them is. Their previous Halo car, the Prowler, sold only 11,000 units.


You must wonder about the attention paid to ergonomics though. Am presently more like 5'9" than 5'10" and knew inside of two minutes in a roadster that I could not get comfortable. Magazines said the same thing. It took a coupe and surgery of both the interior bulkhead and the seat bolster for me to be comfortable over several hours of driving. What were they thinking ?

 

They were thinking this would be a Sunday driver like the SLK.
Or a sexy commuter.

The Prowler and the Viper were also uncomfortable on long trips.

I'm 6'1", long legged and big. The Crossie never carmped my style. But the 1200 mile trip to CT and back was tiring. A few saddle sores yes, but I get the samething in the Mini van.One thing you cannot dois get a good nap in the car. What were they thinking?

 

Personally, I think the differences regarding rack and pinion and recirculating ball are vastly overblown and rife with oxymoronic marketspeak and mob thinking. I care about results. The Crossfire has amazing handling and steering precision. For serious racing (which I don't do) there is a small difference - otherwise it's mostly about rack and pinion steering being much cheaper so manufacturers make more profit by using it - totally sensible. It's NOT the golden fleece or a non-stop ticket to Valhalla.

 

Don't understand the problem for some. I am 6"2 very athletic and weigh in at 215 pounds. Took my Crossfire up to New Jersey from Florida in a straight shot. Never had an issue and it was a hell of a fun ride for my buddy and me!
Sure, I Might have been more comfortable in Chrysler 300 or any SUV but pure driving pleasure was irreplaceable!

With that being said, I like the leather seats of our cars but they could have been improved with a little more lower back support and wider sides as it sometimes feels like you are slipping out of your seats on tight corners!

 

We're talking about rather converting to R&P, Chrysler sticked with the MB part don't we?

 

Franc, the 2003 SLK and the Crossfire both have a 94.5" wheelbase. Actual length of the SLK was 157.9" where the Crossfire is 159.8"
I do find it interesting that most of us over 6' tall, some how have been able to find a comfortable driving position in the intimate confines of the Crossfire without hacking up the cars interior.
I always thought the Roadster had even more head room than the coupe. (While driving my Daughter's XF roadster, it sure seems like it does).
I'll admit, I had to change my normal driving position when I purchased the Crossfire. (Since I've always had a car with reclining seats since 1970) I use to drive in a much more laid back manner. Where as now I drive sitting much more upright than before. In doing so, I've found that I don't get the neck pain that I use to get after long trips.
As for not having rack & pinion steering, it's affected me not one bit. Of course I don't track my car. But when a "stock" Crossfire can out slalom a Ford GT, then it's good enough for me.

 

I remember Eric Stoddard saying they had to cut the frame. I assumed it was to make it shorter somewhere. In any event, I find it as ciomfy as it's SLK cousin.

Bottom line to this thread topic still remains the same, If anyone is unaware that the car is pure Mercedes/Karmahn, walk away from them, don't let them sell you service or parts.

 

Well the Crossfire does have a more narrow track than the SLK.

 

I have driven both...SLK's and of course my two.... No room for R&P. The ball steering has some issues, but nothing you can't compensate for. So, it isn't a killer for me. I was hoping the new suspension that is coming would cure the push, but I like the way they drive and handle. As for stating those are Chrysler parts, well, Chrysler didn't ship any parts to Germany. Karmann had their own vendors. The people in charge of the build from Chrysler would fly over and over see it's production. Remember, Daimler owned Chrysler for awhile, like it or not, so I am sure they put parts in Chrysler cars. Woodward Dream Cruise is a good one to attend if you have questions about how your cars were built and designed. I learned a lot from their engineers.


Franc, you have to compare 2002-2004 Slk's to ours. Pretty much the same car.

 

" I had to change my normal driving position when I purchased the Crossfire."


Wasn't willing to do that so changed the interior to fit my driving style. Few years ago I drove 1350 miles in 24 hours including stops and while pulling a trailer so know where my back/neck need to be for long runs.


Max drive in XF was 380 miles to Boynton and back in a day few weeks ago and NP with mods. Is nice to be able to just stretch out occasionally.


ps same as SLK even to the bulkhead mounts for the retractable hard top even in the coupe.

 

You are exactly right. Recirculating ball has been in many excellent handling race cars not to mention Gazillions of sporty daily drivers. The difference is R&P is simpler and cheaper and provides a bit more feedback, a boon for racers but RBall can be very good, depending on the type of power assist.

 

A1704601100 STEERING GEAR BOX - SLK R170, REGENERATED MERCEDES-BENZ

 

Here's 4 of 'em from car-part.com for $50 each, one has only 21,000 miles on it :