[kenhenry]

We all know BMW/MINI consider the MCS Getrag 6 speed box a sealed "throw away" unit.

Has anyone, anywhere been able to source replacement components (other than the gear sets found at places like MiniMania) ?

I am about to strip mine down to find my missing reverse.

It is likely to be a individual component only, such as a fractured idler gear or a dislocated retaining pin, as there was absolutely no noise - no crunching, no grinding, nothing, yet the actuators on the outside of the box are still working properly.

I believe I will find the offending component sitting at the bottom of the sump and hoping to be able to find or manufacture a new component.

[ratherbewindsurfing]

Try
http://www.quaife.co.uk/

They do replacement gear sets, however I suspect they all retain the original reverse gear idler etc.

I'm sure it would be worth talking to them, if they can't help they may be able to identify which other vehicles share the same gearbox. Hopefully another more enlightened manufacturer will sell you the parts to fix your gearbox.

Let us know how you get on

[Capsaisin]

If your really lucky it might just be the selector fork come loose on the shaft. Must admit it doesn't sound too expensive - apart from having to remove and inspect the gearbox which sounds like a long job. As you say, it seems to be considered a sealed unit I wouldn't even know where you get relacement gaskets from. If your careful taking it apart though you could use the old gaskets with gasket gook, I use red hermatite- never had an oil leak with this.
I would consider fitting a new clutch and release bearing while it's all apart.

[kenhenry]

Quote: Originally Posted by Capsaisin

If your really lucky it might just be the selector fork come loose on the shaft. Must admit it doesn't sound too expensive - apart from having to remove and inspect the gearbox which sounds like a long job. As you say, it seems to be considered a sealed unit I wouldn't even know where you get relacement gaskets from. If your careful taking it apart though you could use the old gaskets with gasket gook, I use red hermatite- never had an oil leak with this.
I would consider fitting a new clutch and release bearing while it's all apart.

Thanks for your thoughts - yeah, from the symptoms it definitely sounds like a simple failure. The box has been apart a couple of times now - LSD, flywheel and 2 competition clutches - from memory MINI do have a replacement gasket - just in case you don't have to throw away the entire unit

If all else fails, I have a company close by that manufactures specialist gaskets for me - they did a nice 1mm decompression plate recently based on the OEM headgasket.

While I am here, has anyone built an active reverse gear lockout for the MINI. From new, everyone that drove mine has said how easy it was to slip into reverse despite the passive lockout that MINI uses.

When I say active, I mean having to physically move a lever or pin before being able to select reverse. One of my regular competitions involves 2 steep flat out 3rd gear descents with 3rd - 1st changes into hairpins with redline ascents on exit. Although, it has not yet happened the possiblity of a 3rd - R change is always hovering. I know I would never get it into reverse, but trying would be enough to destroy the box.

[kenhenry]

Quote: Originally Posted by ratherbewindsurfing

if they can't help they may be able to identify which other vehicles share the same gearbox. Hopefully another more enlightened manufacturer will sell you the parts to fix your gearbox.

Let us know how you get on

Rumour has it, one other manufacturer is using this box - still trying to track down who is it is - I am waiting on a call back from Getrag.

[NickG]

In the UK I am pretty sure I remember reading that the previous model Ford Focus ST170 used the same box as the MCS.

[kenhenry]

Thanks Nick. If Getrag aren't forthcoming, I will follow up on that.

[moonshine]

does www.realOEM.com give exploded diagrams and part nos for the getrag box? i know that when i got my midlands 5 speed box refurbed, the chap who did the work was able to phone the dealers to get parts like the diff etc. with the part nos.

He did mention that they had previously tried to get spares for a getrag box for a Z3 and couldn't get spares from BMW, but i guess it would be worthwhile taking some of the part nos to the parts dept and asking the question.

I'm pretty sure the dealer would consider completely replacingthe gearbox rather than re-furbing it, however if it is your cahs, then refurb is way cheaper....it was going to cost approx £1500 to replace my gearbox at the dealer, inc a 60% goodwill gesture from BMW on parts as my car was 2 months out of warranty.
I ended up paying £700 in total to get the gearbox taken out, stripped, refurbed , new clutch supplied & fitted and all put back together by an independent garage.

GErry

[moonshine]

hmmm....I had a look on www.realOEM.com and the induvidual parts for getrag boxes arn't listed, like they are for the midlands box (try looking at a feb 2003 cooper), and you will see what i mean

Sorry can't be more help.

Gerry

[kenhenry]

Thanks Moonshine. No hope of a goodwill gesture here. It's a motorsport car and well out of warranty.

Thanks for the the info on realoem - no good for this one, but may help on other issues.

Cheers