[johnfromaus]

Hey Australia.

I'm in Melbourne and bought a 2002 cooper about 6 months ago. I stopped driving the car after a concerning noise started from the engine bay. It kept getting worse so I decided to take the car to BMW for diagnosis. They confirmed my suspicions that it was the gearbox and suggested I replace it at a cost of $4000. I left.
I took the box out and pulled it apart with a rebuild manual I got from the UK. I ordered new bearings, seals, spacers, etc from the US and have received one shipment, waiting on the other. 5 out of 6 bearings are now replaced and the shafts are reassembled. Hoping to get the box back in the car within a week or two.
Has anybody else had any experiences with gearbox failure with these models? I have been told its a common fault. Has everybody gone through BMW for a new unit, or have some attempted the rebuild? Interested to hear some stories.

Regards,
John