Good Afternoon Guys,

I have a bit of a dilemma, i put a £200 deposit on a 04 plate mine, pretty standard spec but very low mileage 21,000.

I have discovered though that this reg and before can have problems with the Midland gear box.

I have now seen another car advertised with 31 000 miles on the clock, so slightly higher, but is a 54 so has new gearbox and is much higher spec, climate control, sports seats,

The second is £500 more expensive and i will loose my deposit so in effect the car is £700 more expensive.

What option would you guys go for. Is the midland box that bad.

This is my first post so any help would be great.

I have been looking at this forum lots for the last week and must say seems great so far.

Thanks

04 plate can be a Getrag gearbox if it a post July 04 /facelift model.

I have an 02 Miini with Midland gearbox 60,000 miles with no problems, however my son has the same year/mileage Mini and his gearbox failed about a year or so back!

If it goes can be expensive unless you are willing to go to Minigearboxes who will fix it while you wait:
for an exchange recon gearbox and new clutch fitted to a MINI:
5-Speed Midland gearbox £595
Mini recon gearboxes |BMW MINI cheap gearboxes (http://www.minigearboxes.co.uk/#)

http://www.mini2.com/forum/first-generation-faults-fixes/183946-midland-gearbox-car-mechanics-magazine-dec-2010-a.html

The Midland gearbox usually has a nicer gearchange feel than the Getrag.

Mine's a 51 plate Cooper with 83k on it. No gearbox problems at all. It's still nice and slick.