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:

1. I have already bought the bin which will replace the cupholder,
2. purchased the CPS and checked RCM’s soldering problems just in case (mine looks as new),
3. changed old plate light with LEDs,
4. cleaned all vents and drainages,
5. checked and cleaned the air intake system, including the sensor,
6. got hold of windscreen spindle grommets and wiper screw rubber tops,
7. Repaired subwoofers,
8. purchased a fire extinguisher,
9. Repaired headlight leak.

Future projects:

1. 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.
2. installing the front wheel-to-wheel steering damper (got it),
3. about to install the rear diffuser (travelling as we speak),
4. removing all wheels to undergo a rim deep cleaning.
5. 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.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.

 

Welcome and enjoy!

 

Welcome ... enjoyed reading your post ... enjoy your Crossfire

 

Great post, enjoy your xfire. Do your self a favor, get a spare RCM ,,yours will fail,, they all do. most look great(the solder) I mean
Keep it in your trunk, when it does fail send your old one to TJ RCM REPAIR for 50 usd or so he replaced relays and solders as needed,
we all send ours to him even if we know how to solder,, checking the relays and making what we call Me So Horny mod (horn works w/o key)
I'm sure you saw but here it is anyway https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...-no-start.html
JIM

 

Thank you Zeracer, Dekalb and amx1397 for your kind response. Still digesting this overload of info about our models. "Do your self a favor, get a spare RCM ,,yours will fail,, they all do."
Is it THAT bad? Well then, thanks for the heads-up. I will get hold of a spare unit and I will definitely send original to TJ RCM REPAIR.

DJ TIGHE
3601 Pinnacle Ct
Sierra Vista, AZ 85650
USA

Is this the right address? Just making sure...

And of course I did read the Me So Horny mod (horn works w/o key) post. That's why I disassembled my RCM in the first place.

Well, thanks again and have a good one!

 

yes but go to one of his post click on his name send him a pm for the price and u need to have a post paid return or ask him how to do that
to send overseas. jim

 

Will do. Appreciate it...

 

Congratulations on your Crossfire!
Great post as well. Enjoy!

 

Wow, M60A3Driver! What you did to your unit (Svengoolie) is absolutely mind-boggling! That journey must have been intense! Congratulations on it and on the thorough and precise coverage of every procedure you underwent with the car. Invaluable info...

 

Thank you!
This forum has helped me a lot, so I try to help others as much as I can.

John

 

Welcome on board

 

Cheers!! Reading and learning a great deal.

 

Nice thread . pull up a chair and make yourself at home. Good move

 

Well said, I tried to pull up a chair, but the problem is I spend a great deal of time dragging my *** on the floor, tampering with the car. Small things, I reckon, but I guess every pickle makes a mickle.

This is an updated list of my recent "pickles":

Since my joining this forum:

1. I have already bought the bin which will replace the cupholder, and it looks flush.
2. Purchased the CPS and checked RCM’s soldering problems just in case (mine looks as new). Saving up a bit to have it sent to D.J Tighe (ASAP)
3. Changed old plate light with LEDs.
4. New interior LED lighting.
5. Cleaned all vents and drainages.
6. Checked and cleaned the air intake system, including the sensor.
7. Got hold of windscreen spindle grommets and wiper screw rubber tops.
8. Installed "bleeper" when opening/locking doors.
9. Repaired subwoofers.
10. Purchased a fire extinguisher and installed it.
11. Repaired headlight leak.
12. New steering damper installed.
13. Rear diffuser installed.
14. Wheel rims freed from 18 years of crap (got them out and scrubbed like hell).
15. 9-Drive installed (oh, what fun it is to ride...!).
16. Metal seat logos installed.
17. Chrysler seat belt protectors.
18. New colour wheel decals.
19. Anti-wildlife whistles installed (ultrasounds, no apparent noise for humans. One too many wild boars in my area).
20. Engine deep cleaning.
21. Body side Karmann decals.
22. Boot cover.
23. Boot net to keep things steady.
24. Tire temp and pressure sensors.
25. Door-opening warning lights.
26. Gear shift rubber protector (original is mint, and I intend to keep it like that).
27. Extra ground wire to engine bay.
28. 74 mm throttle body.
29. Headlights restoration.

Future projects:

1. Still 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.
2. Oil catch can (paid for and waiting)
3. DCAI (paid for and waiting)
4. Eurocharged tune stage 1.(paid for and waiting)

Anyway, thank you all for your words of encouragement and, again, for your words of wisdom inside this forum.

Please find below some pics related to items above...

nice for keys and remote

haven't seen a boar for days

extra privacy at two bolts and a sheet of plastic

no more clanking sounds in the boot

Dear, oh dear...

silly mod, but I like it.

No nitro in Spain, but at first glance it looks like it ;-)

Keeping things nice and tidy

A tribute to Karmann (and a tinge of colour, together with the wheel caps).

They add a lively touch to an otherwise "grey" body

 

Rest of mods here...

Fun!

A classy polished steel mod to leather seats

fluffy and comfy

no more low tires

As clean as it can be (daily driver)

 

Consider adding a set of "Slasher Stripes" to the sides below your Body side Karmann Decals.
Send a message (PM) to 2005XFire to get yours.
Several color options are available

 

Thanks for the suggestion. BTW, pristine looking roadster. Looks amazing...

 

Valk could do an amazing Crossfire calendar!!!!
Every month would be a great background but the Downside is that all 12 months would be of the same Aero Blue Roadster.

 

I took many more today............Enough for a 12 month calendar just today

 

I believe this is the same person on FB.
I've been working with her on a special set of slasher stripes.
I'll post pictures when they're on the car.
BTW, is there a specific measurement, or did you just eyeball yours?