Okay, since my other post was closed due to questionable legality, I wanted to raise this question in a more appropriate setting.
I have an '03 MCS with Alta Intake/Exhaust/15% pulley, and my bro has an '05 MCS stock, but his still feels faster around town.
We finally were able to get a more objective head-to-head comparison between the two, and mine did come out on top, but I'm still debating on which transmission is better.
I think I still like the taller gearing of the '03 transmission since I feel like I'm getting more power out of the whole rev range, but the '05 is easier to drive around town and feels more effortless in its power delivery. Also, the '03 has that annoying 1st gear problem where it's a real pain to get a smooth start in day-to-day situations.
What do you guys feel the pros and cons of each transmission is. Has anyone else driven both extensively? Futhermore, has anyone done a swap from an '02 to '05 and what did you think of it?

 

I was pretty hot to make this change but the M62 kit has so much torque that it would make 1st useless and 2nd questionable...... Rhyphile, who has a succesful turbo only kit on his car prefers the old gearing.... many prefer the new......the higher the power your car has it seems the more sense the old gearing makes..... after driving both I think for a stock or close to stock car the new box is far better.....

 

Ah, sounds like the E39 M5 transmission. It was nice, but you had used up 1st gear by about 15-20 mph.

I'm wondering, if (and that's a big if) my transmission needs to be replaced when I take it to the dealer tomorrow, will they give me an '05 or an '02 transmission, and what will be the consequences of that.

 

I have driven a stock 04 MCS, a modded 03 MCS with pulley, exhaust, intake, etc, my 05 MCS/JCW, and an 06 MCSa.

Of those, the stock 04 MCS was far and away the most tedious to drive. It was downright sluggish off the line. (Once it got rolling, it was fine)

The modded 03 MSC drives great, but again it is a bit tedious to launch. I don't mean just full power launches, I mean anytime you take off from a dead stop. By 10-15 mph, it's a screaming beast...

The 05 MCS/JCW seems to have far more usable torque for street driving. Much easier to drive in traffic. The only downside is that the 05 is turning 3000 rpm at 70 mph. I think that is a tad too many rpms for a steady state cruise. At that speed, there is adequate capacity to accelerate even in 6th gear. Unfortunately, in our radar obsessed society, the ability to accelerate from 70 in 6th isn't of much practical value (at least it's better than the evil 55 days)

The 06 MCSa accelerates pretty well, but it has a much taller top gear. As I remember, a steady 70 is done around 2300 rpm.

I prefer the 05 and newer gearing, but I grew up driving powerful V8's. There may be no replacement for displacement, but forced induction and decent gearing are a step in the right direction.

Rawhyde

 

The original ratios are closer through 3rd, which is a good thing, imo. I like my tall 1st gear for stop and go traffic, as I'm not shifting into 2nd as often as I would if it were 12% lower. I also like my tall 6th gear for cruising at 80-90, which I do regularly (even with a windsurfer strapped to the roof). And I like the close spacing of 1-2-3 for those rolling entrance ramp launches. I can see how a pre-05 car might feel a bit "tedious" at low revs in 1st and 2nd with stock power, especially if you are reluctant to spin up the revs past 4k, but it feels about perfect to me with JCW-esque power and torque. The last 2k to red line in 1st and 2nd are anything but "tedious."

 

can you elaborate more on this? ive driven my 03 through
busy rushhour traffic, but have not really noticed any problems.

you just need to let the clutch slip a tad longer into 1st vs
other cars. that's all. if you're referring to the old 'stumble'
issue, get the most recent ECU program. im running v42 since
last summer and has completely removed that stumble.

imho, the 03's gearing isn't too bad especially when running
i/e and 15%.

 

Hmm…maybe I don't have the most recent ECU. I'm thinking it's the stumble issue I'm having issue with. More and more it seems like I need an ECU update. Thanks. I'll be sure to bring that up with my service advisor tomorrow.

 

guys that race and autoX have a good reason to like the new box....... 2nd is so nice out of a tight corner.... I too like the tall 5th and 6th and find the shifting anything but tedious ..... I have an 02

 

03 with 15% pulley, CAI, Unichip (with original v31 ECU programing), Cat-back, etc.

I prefer this gearing for its mid/high-range performance/cruising ability and accept its "normal rpm" launching limitations. I have just adjusted my driving style accordingly. Learning how to feather the accelerator and clutch at the same time is a skill I'd learned previously with small displacement dirt bikes, adopting it to my MCS only took a few tries and no sore joints (lucky for me). Throw a tube of Jointrightous in the boot, a good set of driving shoes on your feet and the mentioned mods to your 02 - 04 MCS and get on with motoring as it should be.

 

I think I'm inclined to agree on most points. Thanks guys, I think I'll stick with my '03 tranny.

 

right, and if you're at the track and really need launch like you mean it,
just drop the clutch at 4-4.5k RPM and you'll be on your way.

 

right, and if you're at the track and really need launch like you mean it,
just drop the clutch at 4-4.5k RPM and you'll be on your way.

 

Well, I got my car back on Tuesday and they reflashed my ECU, wow what a difference. It got rid of that 1st gear stumble, and drives great. I love it.