OK, here's a can of worms to open up: I've had my '04 coupe since Aug of this year and overall I'm very happy with it, but one thing I noticed is that 1st gear seems a bit short for everyday driving (to me at least). I find that I can even get dusted by Hyundai's and Daewoo's unless I really wind it up in first. Sometimes I find that first is basically useless for me and I start off in second because it's not worth the trouble to spend an entire three seconds in first before I have to shift. Am I alone in this feeling? I wish first would be just a bit taller -- something about midway between 1st and 2nd would be ideal for me as I tend to short shift the thing to save some of that $3.00/gallon gas.

Actually, now that I'm talking about it I noticed that the ratios in 1-3 are spaced closer than those in 4-6 If I switch between the Crossfire and the Prelude its very noticeable. It's that 3-->4 shift where the Crossfire really starts gaining serious momentum.

 

I suppose its the balance between every day driving and those wanting a sprint of the lights?

I have an auto and it will start in second by default if in "W" mode, and gives a noticeably smoother ride as a result. As a matter of interest what rev do you usually change from 1st?

 

I found that the first gear ratio is a little off. I'm not able to put my finger on it. I have noticed that when I hit 2nd gear it really takes off. Unfortunately, Mercedes has left the standard shift gear box in the distant past as far as upgrading it for a real performance vehicle. The throw should be a lot shorter and the handle is too slippery for any speed shifting. The whole Daimler-Chrysler family has invested heavily in the automatic transmission. Mercedes has always had an almost bullet proof automatic tranny. That is something Jeep has had to and hopefully has learned a little about from them.

 

Bullet proof it might be, I hope so anyway, Saskins might not agree.

I think MB perhaps need to work on the speed of the changes, Audi at least are a long way in front, there auto boxes seem much quicker, have paddles and also seem to jump gears on kick down. Of course the Crossfire box might be different to the latest MB box in say the SLK?

 

the latest auto in the SLK is a 7-speed.

 

As someone who learned to drive a stick in a 1966 Corvette (I think that was a 4 speed) I'm just used to 4 speeds in normal city driving. I always used 5th for the Beltway, places where I could go over 45 mph. I had to wonder about a 6 speed but nonetheless I had to have one. I tend to skip gears. Probably not a good thing to do but I may wind 1st out and go into 3rd and so on, I'm lazy I guess. When the weather is bad, snow I don't even use first,always start out in second. I too notice the 3rd gear kick you are mentioning. I guess it just takes getting used to a new shifter. Its very different from the GT Cruiser's 5 speed.
Pat

 

I usually shift at 2,500 - 3,000 RPM when I'm putting around town. Of course, I have been known to take up a bit higher in the presence of tarted-up Civic pilots that think they're fast because they have a "fart can" on the back and a bunch of stickers. I've heard that those stickers can yield an extra 10-12 HP at the top end...

 

Only the stickers written in Japanese add H.P. the rest are just for intimidation. LOL

 

yes, its too short.

 

A bit too short for my taste. I've had other people say the same thing who have driven my XF.

 

I agree, way too short.

 

so what would the acceleration times be if they made diff. gears? but of course any aftermarket gears would have to be custom made.

 

I want some stickers, I auto stick mine in third a lot wheeeeee...

 

Thanks guys!!! I thought I was the only one who thought the gearing in this car is retarded... 3.27:1 rear end with a first gear that takes you to 22 mph before it's useless and a 6th gear that only hits the power band at 90 mph...

Now try and put a 3.80:1 rear end in the car and 1st becomes perfectly useless, 2nd takes you from a dead stand-still to 34 mph and 6th is now a gear that kicks you thru 80 to 138 mph in the perfect rpm range...

 

I think I would have gone the other way with the gears. But mine is a daily driver and I would like to keep the gas mileage. Put something around 2.80's in there, it would be like a five speed with one more gear then. I'm sure some one has a gear calculator around here. I'd like to see 1st doing what your 2nd is doing and so on. Cruising at 70 mph at around 1,750 RPM's.

 

We have different purposes for our cars... Mine is for road course track use, not daily driver... I almost went with 4.0:1 but it would have killed my top end on the straights... A 2.80:1 would probably make your 5th & 6th gear virtually useless under 100 mph and if you use it as a daily driver, that doesn't make much sense... The gearing is good for daily driving 70 mph in 6th gear gives you somewhere in the range of 3,200 rpm (don't hold me to this)

With such low gearing you would be out of the optimum torque range of the motor unless you travel the autobahn too and from work... Not to mention, you would be having a hard time with your clutch starting out in first gear... Just my humble opinion...

The engine sings between 3,200 - 5,200 rpm. Throttle response seems to be at the optimum... I run technically challenging road courses with relatively short straights. So, torque and acceleration are very important to my success. A 45 mph to 120 mph pulling range is critical on these types of tracks...

I'm pretty happy with the current set-up of my car through the corners, but I do need that extra boost from a tight turn into the straightaway. The car just doesn't have the guts to take me from a tight turn at 45 mph to 120+mph thru the straightaway (1,800 feet) before I have to dive into the next turn... I'm sitting somewhere in the 110 mph range and being embarrassed by alot of little four banger cars that have alot more acceleration...

OH WELL ... I VENTED>>>

 

I see what you are saying, but what I was trying to say was, I want my 1st gear to be like your 2nd and so on. Now I'm not sure about what gear would be the right one to change the final gear ratio to make it work, the 2.80 was just a guess. I have know idea what the gears ratios are in this car. This would just make 6th useless instead of first, and I'm also guessing the gearing is spaced right. I'm sure you know a little more about this since you have changed the rear end already.

 

I notice the difference between 2nd and third, especially when I'm dropping from third to second - it just doesn't feel right...

 

Almost a CVT!

 

Why not put in an electric switch that moves a gear so you go from a really low gear setting to a high setting? This way you have both settings. The track car can benefit from this especially in the curves and straight ways.

It also sounds like the engine needs to be tuned a little better so you can get more power for your competitions or you don't give the car gas soon enough to pull you out of the curves.

How is it that you can take 20 NASCAR drivers, put them in 20 cars built Exactly the same (IROC) and get one winner instead of them all coming in at the same time? It's the driver!