[softdog13]

Hi all knowing members.

I have a new and very lovely Spider but I have noticed that the gear change is a bit stiff and kind of resists the gear change a bit too ... Is this Fiat thing? new car thing? or driver thing? Has anyone else noticed anything? I admit to being a bit precious about my new car at the moment.. 0

 

[MotoPete]

Just off the top of my head I'd be asking that the clutch adjustment be checked; if it's not quite fully disengaging shifting can be as you've described. I'd also ask that the gear shift linkages be (re)lubricated as well. I did this once on an older car and the gear changes went from being notchy to silky smooth.

Just some thoughts anyway.

 

[stevenvillatoro]

It's a well-known characteristic of the otherwise highly-praised Miata NC manual transmission.

 

[Stewie]

Maybe a change of fluid to something like Motul ?

 

[Sonny Burnett]

I'm used to German trannies, its like someone stuffed rocks in the synchros, the 124 I drove didn't give me any issues, other than me being used to having to ride the clutch through gears which made me look retarded lol.

 

[lordofthewings]

Hi all knowing members.

I have a new and very lovely Spider but I have noticed that the gear change is a bit stiff and kind of resists the gear change a bit too ...

After 500 miles first-to-second is still kinda stiff, second-to-third likewise. It does improve as everything warms up.

 

[RBH58]

Aisin gearboxes have always been like that. They are usually fine once the oil warms up, but they can be a bit baulky until then...especially on the 1-2 shift. Our MY08 NC Miata was exactly the same (the 124 uses the same gearbox). My MY14 BRZ (which uses basically the same gearbox) is also the same. And they don't seem to improve much with miles. My BRZ has 25,000kms on it and it's still the same. We put 35,000kms on the Miata and it never changed either. Just accept that it doesn't like to be hurried until it has some heat in it.

 

[GuidoVeloce]

For me too, gear changes are not as smooth as I expected. I was wondering if the 3rd gear on the first Spider I tested was defective, but the second one I tested (and bought) was identical. The crunchy feel is certainly magnified by the short throws, but gear shifts in my 17-year-old, 210k-mi BMW are smoother and almost as fast.

 

[RBH58]

For me too, gear changes are not as smooth as I expected. I was wondering if the 3rd gear on the first Spider I tested was defective, but the second one I tested (and bought) was identical. The crunchy feel is certainly magnified by the short throws, but gear shifts in my 17-year-old, 210k-mi BMW are smoother and almost as fast.

Hey....the Italians call it "character". All Italian cars I've ever experienced have some flaws. They can't be "Germanically perfect". Where's the fun in that?

 

[softdog13]

Hi all thanks so much for commenting.. I am taking it back to the garage in a couple of weeks for its first check so i will mention it. However, I will go with the car having 'character', it kind of suits me and why I bought the car in the first place. I have never had a 'high end' car so don't have BMW's etc to compare it too so long as its a car thing overall and nothing is about to drop off I can surely live with it thanks for putting my mind to rest. Have a lovely weekend driving in the winter sun (UK)

 

[My124spider2016]

Saxon

Had my 124 for 2 weeks now and it sounds exactly the same as mine. I have had a German counterpart which I sold earlier this year, still more fun in the fiat! Enjoy

 

[Chas H]

Aisin gearboxes have always been like that. They are usually fine once the oil warms up, but they can be a bit baulky until then...especially on the 1-2 shift. Our MY08 NC Miata was exactly the same (the 124 uses the same gearbox). My MY14 BRZ (which uses basically the same gearbox) is also the same. And they don't seem to improve much with miles. My BRZ has 25,000kms on it and it's still the same. We put 35,000kms on the Miata and it never changed either. Just accept that it doesn't like to be hurried until it has some heat in it.

The NC/124 gearbox is made by Mazda, not Aisin. It is an adaptation of the trans used in Mazda trucks.
Many Miata owners have have had good results switching to Ford full-synthetic gear oil, XT-MS-QS.

 

[MotoPete]

Might just pop this here for possible future reference...

http://www.mx5parts.com.au/tips-and-tricks/mx5-nc-gearbox-issues

 

[MotoPete]

The NC/124 gearbox is made by Mazda, not Aisin.

Are you sure?

http://web.archive.org/web/20070505002538/http://www.aisin-ai.co.jp/english/products/fr.html

 

[Chas H]

Are you sure?

http://web.archive.org/web/20070505002538/http://www.aisin-ai.co.jp/english/products/fr.html

Yes, I'm quite sure.
Aisin made the 6 speed for NB Miata, and makes the auto trans found in the NC and ND Miata and the 124.
There is nothing on that link verifying Aisin makes the 124/NC manual trans.

 

[Bauer]

Might just pop this here for possible future reference...

http://www.mx5parts.com.au/tips-and-tricks/mx5-nc-gearbox-issues

Will no doubt be hitting them up for Goodwin 124 bits at some point. Great bunch.

 

[MotoPete]

There is nothing on that link verifying Aisin makes the 124/NC manual trans.

The web captures up until around mid 2007 show Aisin supplied Mazda AZ6's for the MX-5. The NC commenced production around mid 2005.

Obviously that situation changed as it would appear Mazda drops Aisin manual transmissions entirely after that point.

I suppose there is every possibility Aisin didn't update the information on their website for 2 years, or that the AZ6 was dropped as part of a mid-life model upgrade.

Either way, assuming the 124 has received the last iteration of the NC transmission it would appear you're right.

 

[Chas H]

The web captures up until around mid 2007 show Aisin supplied Mazda AZ6's for the MX-5. The NC commenced production around mid 2005.

Obviously that situation changed as it would appear Mazda drops Aisin manual transmissions entirely after that point.

I suppose there is every possibility Aisin didn't update the information on their website for 2 years, or that the AZ6 was dropped as part of a mid-life model upgrade.

Either way, assuming the 124 has received the last iteration of the NC transmission it would appear you're right.

The Aisin AZ6 was replaced by the Mazda made P66M-D trans with introduction of the NC Miata/MX-5. The new 124 uses its version of the P66M-D trans.

 

[frankmar]

Here where I read it.
http://www.guideautoweb.com/en/artic...-masterstroke/

The gearboxes are different as well. The MX-5 features a choice of either an exceptional six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic. The choice is the same for the 2017 Fiat 124 Spider, but the automatic is made by Aisin and is found in such cars as the Dodge Dart. Meanwhile, the manual comes from the Mazda3, not the MX-5.

Why, you ask? Apparently, the MX-5’s gearbox couldn’t handle the car’s extra torque.

 

[GuidoVeloce]

After posting earlier that I was not that impressed with the gearbox, and in particular the 3rd gear engagement, I am revising my opinion. After only 300 miles, the gear changes are already much cleaner, especially when the box is warm. I am really enjoying this car!