I had my car in for it's 1000 mile service and was given the use of a Scooby Sport for the hour that it took to do. I was shocked how much cleaner gear changing was in the Sport compared to my MY99. In fact the gear changes in my car feel quite crunchy and some times I'm not sure if I'm in gear. I wasn't going to do any thing about it for a few '000 miles to see if it would settle but then I moved my 15 year old Merc 200 for a prospective buyer and the gear box was a dream, even better than the Sport. Will this settle down with use or should I go back to the dealer?

Inform your dealer... just in case something is wrong.

Anyway it should be better after the gear oil change.

The 'box on my STi4 was really awkward for the first 1000, and not much fun after that until about 3-4k when it started to loosen up a bit. Saying that it's got a nasty notch on third now but that's a problem that has appeared more recently.

-= mike =-

My MY99 is a b'stard to get in reverse and 99% of the time a double declutch is required.

First can be a pain unless you're at a standstill, but gently (but firm) pressure gets it in !

Lee. 9000 miles

Dumb question here.
I took my STi V in to a UK dealer for it's 1000 mile check - should they have changed the gear oil?
It seems to make more transmission noise than my MY97 did - is that an STi trait?
Mines a b****rd to get in reverse as well.
Think that's normal though.
Any answers would be appreciated.

Craig

I have done 2000 miles in a MY99 and it can be a bit notchy going from 2 to 3rd but I think it is just a trait of the car.

Cheers



[This message has been edited by drew (edited 08-07-99).]

I've a MY99 (done just over 3000 miles) and there's been no problems with the gear change apart from a reluctance to go down to first unless you're virtually at a standstill. I'd say you should mention it to your dealer...it can't hurt.

I have done 10000 miles in my 99 the gearbox is crunchy trying to get into 3rd some of the time, and is also a bitch to get into reverse, without changing into 1st first. It seems that the gearbox is not quite so smooth as the earlier ones. The dealer i took it into already had a 99 in with the gearbox out, the owner claimed it kept jumping out of gear. I would mention any faults like this as soon as poss, in case it warrants a recall or whatever, otherwise SUK will not get to find out, soon enough.

Ian

I was wondering which dealer you refer to (i see you live in Herts).

My 98MY kept jumping out of gear. After speaking to the dealer and them seeing it 3 times it felt like they thought i was imagining things.

After speaking to IM technical dept (very helpful) they decided to get the 'box out and found a worn pinion shaft? (sorry i'm not too clued up on their workings).

I've always had the problem of notchyness going from 2nd to 3rd. It feels like i haven't pushed the clutch far enough but they didn't find anything when the gearbox was stripped.

There seems to be a great variation in the quality of the gearbox as regards gear change. My MY98 was very notchy even after the dealer changed the oil where-as my current MY99 is very slick in all changes and speeds, even from new. It feels like a totally different gearbox. If I buy another I think I'll be very careful to test it well before handing over my dosh.

Jon,

I live in Herts but am working away from home at the minute. I took my car in for some warranty work on the brakes and they had a silver 99 in with the gearbox out. I thought i would mention mine to them, as mine feels a bit notchy too, whereas my 97 didnt. I have heard stories about the baulk ring (think thats the right spelling for it) in the gearbox wearing. But dont know if thats a particular year or what though.

My 99MY had a faulty baulk ring from new but only showed up by crunching when going into 5 gear above about 85mph so I didn't find it until the 1000 mile run in was complete. This meant a gearbox strip & rebuild with complete new 5th gear set (£650+ bill but all under warrenty). I've had no problems with any other gear, although 3rd can feel a little notchy at times