Hello.

I've been on this forum since last April just lurking around and reading up. Might as well come out of the dark lol.

I purchased my first 2004 Evo VIII last year in March.



The following January I got in a head on collision and totaled the car.




In February, I purchased a 2008 MazdaSpeed 3.



Now I'm looking to get back into the Evo game. I'm looking into a 2011 or 2012 Evo MR. Looking at the MR so my other half can drive the car if she needed to. I've done a lot of reading on the TC-SST transmission, and honestly it scares me a little bit. I'm not looking forward to selling a kidney just to replace the transmission if it went out.

To my understanding, it would definitely be best to get one still under warranty, and to get an extended warranty. Have there been as many problems with the later MRs as the early ones? Can anybody offer some reassurance to me for my possible future purchase?

As far as mods go, there would only be a few bolt ons. Intake, exhaust, bigger IC, and a tune.

Thanks.

 

do not get scared by the sst, it is a great transmission!
Glad you oke, that accident looks nasty.
The SST can hold more p0wer then you need for dd and runs great on tracks etc after you put an oil cooler on it. Nothing you have to worry there.
for mostly dd i would get a SST over the MT.

 

I beat the living **** out of mine (see build thread link below)

just be ready to change the SST oil within 10k miles - yes, THAT soon, and yes it's worth it

but just get everything done properly and it's reliable. Imo, the lemon SST's go bad within a few thousand miles - either you'll know you have a bad one very soon and have it warrantied, or it will be damn reliable as hell

do NOT take a shop's word for being able to tune SST's - look up their reputation. I don't give a **** how many customers are "happy" with their tune - most have only had one tuner and one tune ever done to their car.

 

Lucky for you that companies have started picking up the SST and is starting to become servicable. The fluid used is the same as the FORD DCT I didn't have any problems with my SST other than I really wanted manual again haha

 

That's crazy glad your ok, I had a 07 speed3 and the piston exploded sending the rod threw the side of the block thank god it was warrantied sold the car now own an 12 mr and love it

 

So if I purchase a used one that already has 10k+ miles, then the first thing on the list is to change the SST oil, correct? Unless the previous owner/stealership has records of it already being done?

 

every time you buy a used car, it is wise to change all the major fluids (engine, trans, t-case, rear diff) to make sure everything is up to par and you start your own interval. Dealers can be cheap on the fluid or lie about changing them (unless they have proof) and private sellers can very well lie too (unless they have receipts to prove it as well).

 

Wow that crash looks scary :O

 

yes

but like erald said, I would change ALL fluids. just be prepared to do it early - I say 10k but I'd go 5k or less if budget allows

nothing pisses me off more than seeing Evo owners buy more and more mods while putting off basic care and maintenance. keep the car healthy

 

Go 4 it, man! It's worth every peny u pay =) At least it's the case 4 me!
SST is great both for DD and Track events. Do remember taking fog lights off and even an extra tranny oil cooler if u have over 350whp later for track days. Good luck and enjoy XD

 

Wow sounds a lot like what I did.

Had a 2003 Evo VIII for 5 years, crashed into a Honda Element after he slammed on his brakes and I hit some gravel and slid into him. Didn't feel the same after insurance dropped $10,000 into it to fix.

Sold it and got an 08 Speed3.
Great car, but it's no Evo. Was never truely happy.

Bought a 2012 GSR

 

I also did something similar except in between Evos I bought a 2011 A4 after crashing my VIII into a tree. Believe me, it was all the tree's fault. It never moved or anything. Anyway now I have no Audi's and 2 Evo X's.