I just drove a Crossfire roadster for the first time tonight. I have an SLK 230 right now, so I more or less knew what to expect going in, but I was wondering about the transmission. Is it just me or is the 6 speed really rubbery? My slk is an auto, so I can't directly compare it, but it seemed to be, well, just wrong. I'm just wondering if it was just the car I drove, or if that's the general impression that other people have as well? Also, no matter what I did, I just couldn't seem to hit 2nd gear; I'd always miss and go straight to 4th. I'm sure I'd get used to it, but it was odd. Other than the ridiculous blind spots , the car was great! Good power, easy to drive, looks even better than I remember it, and sound is just beautiful! Much better than my 4 banger K with an Eisenmann exhaust. So, is the tranny normal?

 

I have read many reviews about the "debate" between manual and auto. I have read everything under the sun, so what do you guys think of the 6 speed (part 2) .

 

1st. to 4th.? I've never had that happen. I think the car you drove needed the linkage adjusted. I've gone from 2nd. to 5th. a couple of times, but I was pushing it. (speed shifting)
Actually the shifter is a little "notchy" but I wouldn't call it "rubbery". It just doesn't shift as smoothly as my Honda's, or even my Miata. But I'd say it's about equal to my Viper.

 

Ya, I've heard it called notchy more than once (even the slk320 drivers on the mb boards), but it wasn't what I expected. I also have a track prepped MX6 with a short shifter and solid bushings so I figured I knew what notchy meant lol, but this was more like I was physically moving the transmission around by shifter. I don't really know how to explain it well, but it was very disconnected. Ah well, I'll just assume it was that car in particular. Maybe I'll just test drive another and see how it goes...

 

When I was deciding which to buy and I definitely wanted the 6 spd as I was also looking at the TT Roadster with the stick and the S2000, I drove the stick first in a coupe and found finding the gears to be very vague, I just didn't know where I was compared to the TT which was as I remembered all of my sticks to be snapping right into gear. Then I drove the Auto in a Roadster. Don't know if it was the Roadster more than the Auto but I knew than that that was the combo for me. Haven't regretted it one day. "I" think the Roadster is just better suited to the Auto. I think Coupe drivers and Roadster drivers have 2 different objects in mind when they buy their cars and Roadster owners can live with the Auto because they're getting their kicks having the top down. Coupe owners are more into the sheer driving element based on what I read on this site. All just my opinion. Also check on the average age of the coupe owners vs. the Roadster owners. Bet the Roadster owners average 15-20 years older and its not the $ difference. We're all just looking to rekindle our youth and enjoy what we had before sending the kids to college and paying off the houses. I enjoy my car every time I go into the garage whether I'm taking it out or just looking at it. Its one of the nicest cars I've owned.

 

It is a bit rubbery - but not too bad. I also have had it shift into 4th a few times - I'm getting used to it and it is happening a lot less than when it was new. It shifts a lot better than my Mustangs did.

 

I love my six speed. It's a blast. It hauls as* and looks good doing it.

Rubbery? Anyone who has owned an old VW Golf, Rabbit, or GTI version of the same would find it crisp and slick. Remember that aftermarket shifter bushings (if available for this car, I don't know) can do a lot to change the feel of the shifter (make it more precise).

 

I have the 6 spd. trans and really enjoy it. It does have a notchy feel to it but for the most part (once you get used to it) it isn't bad to shift at all. When I first got the car I did shift from first to fourth but again with experience the shifting becomes much easier. I do agree with you Marc...the roadster buyer may be older and more into "touring" then the roadster buyer. Although with me I like touring too and have the roadster.

 

I didn't particularly care for the 6 speed when I first drove it, but it has gotten much better as I have gotten used to it (and developed slightly lower expectations). Coming from a smooth shifting '98 M3 the crossfire's shifter felt stiff and notchy. My impression of the shifting in my friends 350z, which I thought would shift easily, is that it performed poorer than the crossfire.

In the end, I'm a "manual guy", and I couldn't imagine having this car unless it had a manual. I would have considered the Srt6, but with it being only auto I knew there would be regret if I went that route. If you are typically an "auto guy", you probably won't be won over by the shifting in the crossfire. The shifting of the crossfire in and of itself is not inspiring, but it isn't a disaster either.

 

Drove two different sticks, and they were both different. According to the saleslady, they had a coupe that was problematic as well. It is probably an adjustment. Most short shifters act like this. I just came from a 04.5 GLI (Audi TT powered) and the tranny was much more precise.

~ J

 

I noticed the rubbery feel. At first it felt fragile... But now that I've gotten used to it its not bad.

 

I agree this transmission takes some getting used to. When I first got the car I thought I may have to learn how to shift all over again but once I got used to it, it has become much easier...just takes some time I guess.

 

just had my roadster (6 manual) in for cupholder repair/replace and had them adjust the "reverse lockout cable" based upon one of the TSB's on here (the one re: tranny syncrho's). it's about 15% smoother now in the shift as a result. very noticeable. had them do the headlight repair (seal replacement) while they were in as well. drives better than ever now and the only other thing i have to have done is replace the door sills (warranty) which are stained with some sort of rust or something that the dealer couldn't remove.

now, if i could only get all these people to stop staring at my car, asking silly questions like "do you like it?" and "is it fast?" and "will you marry me?" and leave me alone, driving this thing would be perfect! ;-)

 

Have a six speed and quite frankly it took me about 1/2 hr to get used to it. I moved up from a 5 speed PT/Turbo. I've also driven my son's 6 speed RSX so I knew going in that the shifts would be different and not what I'm used to. I don't find it rubbery at all and yes I do mis shift occasionally but its not the car's fault, I accept full responsibility for that.
Mines not a roadster but I gotta think its the same trans.

Pat

 

I've owned two 3-series, and have driven a lot of different cars (sold used cars in the past). The manual definitely isn't up to par compared to the BMW, doesn't feel as precise, and don't think I can shift it as fast (I've had the car less than a week). I'd say it's a little "rubbery." It's not bad though, I'm not turned off. Plus I didn't expect much different considering Mercedes has never been known to have the best feeling manual transmissions like BMW (and Honda) do.