Good points, Garrick. I believe the Mondeo uses the MTX-75, and in looking through the forums on their site, I don't see anything like the Contour tranny problems. If I recall, Terry Haines has suggested the difference is that Mondeo trannies are manufactured in Germany; ours are made in the good ole USA, where, apparently, tolerances are a little more liberal.
As for why there's not a "backlash" on the shifter when trying to push it into first or reverse: beats the heck outta me.
Also, I don't think the clutch is the culprit in every situation, but for the "first-reverse lockout" thing, it is something I think should be considered, especially if, like Ned M and I (in this thread), and some others have experienced, you occasionally get that "shudder" when you start the car in gear.
The general notchy feeling seems to be par for the course with these transmissions, and certainly the "cocktail" has helped smooth that out for me.
FWIW.
