I've had my car for nearly two weeks but havent had much time to drive it due to work commitments and atrocious weather.

My clutch engages just above halfway up, but it is springy right to the top of the pedal with no freeplay, i've researched on the net and found a common theme among road testers describing the clutch as 'long throw' 'snatchy' and ' not the best'

On any other car i'd say it felt like it was about ready for a clutch, but given the above comments from various road tests mine might be just as they are, I would love to find another manual locally to ask the owner if I could have a quick prod of their clutch pedal but there isnt any around

I cant detect any slipping in the few drives i've had up to now but if there is a problem brewing i'd rather get it sorted while i still have the 90 day warranty from the dealer.

I would be grateful if any other manual drivers could let me know if their cars a) have any freeplay at the top of the pedal? and b) roughly how high up the pedal their clutch bites?

Many thanks

 

Someone needs to find or make an over-sized master cylinder. Clutch was one of the 3 reasons I drive an auto. The others- could not find one and it's the wife's car.

 

"On any other car i'd say it felt like it was about ready for a clutch, but given the above comments from various road tests mine might be just as they are, I would love to find another manual locally to ask the owner if I could have a quick prod of their clutch pedal but there isnt any around"

Why not see if there are any SLK320 manuals near you. From what I remember of mine it was quite fierce going from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd. One of the reasons it had to go plus my bad shoulders every time My lead foot came out to play

 

One reason why the manual box is not very popular!

 

If I hadn't had I'd never have chosen to have an Xfr. Never regreted having Xfr every morning I look out of the window upon the wonderous sight, thinking what a lucky boy I am to own such a beautifull piece of Automotive Art

 

Good tip about the SLK320 i think there is one in the car park at work

I went for a manual knowing the mixed reports about the gearbox/clutch not being the best, but I float along in an auto all week for work and wanted something to actually DRIVE with both hands and both feet at the weekends.

I can certainly live with my clutch set up, if it turns out to be 'normal' for the car thats fine, i'm just trying to avoid forking out money for a clutch shortly after my 3 month warranty runs out.

 

Are you sure the clutch is covered with your warranty?

Jon

 

Normally, you know it's time for a clutch when it engages very close to the floor, 1/2 way up sounds pretty normal to me. Not quite sure what you mean about it being "springy" right to the top.
I've had a couple dozen different manual shift cars over the years, and it seems every one is different when it comes to how the clutch felt, and how they shifted (except for all my Hondas, they all felt the same, which is to say they shifted great).
My Crossfire is a 6 spd. and it has the traditional "notchy" 1,2, shift that many other Crossfire's enjoy. It's a quirk that just seems to take some time getting use to. When compared to any other sports car I've owned, the Crossfire's manual is at the bottom of the list. That being said, I wouldn't trade it for an automatic. I still enjoy every moment behind the wheel.

 

Thanks for the replies guys, re the warranty I dont have anything in writing, it was a verbal '90 days on anything major' so i'd have to discuss it. if and when it arises, i know how typical used car dealers operate and i'm sure I would have the usual battle but i'm a straight up and honest person who has paid top book price for the vehicle and I would expect the dealer to be reasonable and at least contribute if the need arises based on 'top book' meaning that the vehicle should not be in need of a major component within the next 90 days.

My experience of used car warranties (even when they are in writing) are that they tend to be about as useful as a snooze button on a smoke alarm when you actually need them, but a sensible non confrontational discussion will often lead to a satisfactory outcome.

when I explained the feeling of the pedal as being springy right to the top I meant for example that when the clutch is pressed there is no free travel before it starts to pick up the resistance of the clutch springs, usually I would expect to feel about an inch of unloaded free travel before the clutch spring is felt, if that makes any sense?

I went and found the owner of the SLK320 at work today hoping to compare pedals but its an auto so no luck there.

Anyway all in all I love the car, i've been out in it today and the more miles I do the more I settle into the clutch, it has all the progressive feel of a light switch but i've aquired the knack for it now and can actually leave the traffic lights without looking like i'm on a driving lesson

All in all the car is everything I wanted, its got nice precise handling, enough power to provide all the fun I need, and sounds gorgeous, i'm really pleased with it and find it hard to believe some of the negative road test comments on area's such as handling and build quality, in my opinion its great

 

If the clutch needs replacing and you get the usual (expected) reply from the dealer remember you are protected under trades description. The UK OFT state your covered for 3 months where the vehicles become not fit for purpose and if you pushed it the EU time frame is 6 Months. You may also have some cover if you paid for the car on your Credit Card (depending on the rules where your card is issued) you may have some protection from the Consumer Credit Act.

 

Thanks Dal, yes thats pretty much what I would be quoting if the situation did arise and the guy tried to be a typical used car dealer over it, but hopefully the clutch is ok and just feels different to other cars.

 

The manual clutch in my SE is as good as any I have used. It engages without grabbing.The pressure required is light.It easily handles the HP. That said, I prefer the automatic because it out performs me.

 

The Clutch in the Crossfire is hydraulic and the release valve is small. It does not snap closed but gently. Because of that, it may feel loose or sloppy because response to your foot inputs is so regulated.

It is hard to break your rear wheels loose with the manual Crossie. As a result, it feels "soft" as compared to other clutches.

Unless you are slipping, I wouldn't be concerned. That you can tell it is worn when you go up a grade in fifth or sixth and when you accelerte the tach goes up but the speedo does not.

I did not like the clutch at first but one gets used to it.

 

I'm with you Franc, it takes some getting used to. On the other hand it is way easier to teach someone to drive a manual transmission with these cars. It is very forgiving.

 

Thanks for the input Franc & Larry, it seems it is just a case of it feeling different to my other cars and i'm slowly getting used to it with the more miles that I do, and it isnt slipping.