[MiniOneSam]

Well on the way to sixth form this morning my gearbox blew up. I can't be bothered to type exactly what happened again to be honest because so many people have asked what happened and I'm not going to explain for the umpteenth time, but it went bang and it's been towed away. Stratstone Milton Keynes just rang me and said I need a new Gearbox, Clutch and Flywheel - all fitted at a cost of £2745(and something pence ).

So yeah I'm not in a good mood this afternon What have people had to pay in the past for this type of thing? And I know there's a common fault with Mini Gearboxes, do they ALL do this eventually or is it usually just in need of a new gearbox?

[minicabrio]

Hi Sam,

Sorry to hear this!

Unfortunately on the pre-facelift Ones and Coopers this can happen... have a ring around some of the site sponsors (start with MiniManiaUK as they're only in ampthill, and 1320autos in St Neots as they're local too) and try and get either a recon box, or one out of a written off MINI.

That should save you quite a wad on what MINI want to bill you.

Best of luck

Jon

[jamski]

Oh dear. I know how it feels. I just had mine done, fortunately I heared the bearings in the box going before it went, so I had some control over it. Had a recon box (£1100) and mini clutch (£150ish) fitted all for a total of £1500. Although this is through someone I know so get slightly cheaper labour. He's near Guildford in surrey, so a bit far for you. Worth ringing around some local independant places, could save you a lot.

Hope you find somewhere!

[minicabrio]

Yes, if all else fails try a yellow pages search for a transmission centre - someone who can rebuild a gearbox

[Fu Manchu]

Sorry to hear this Sam, it is infuriating isn't it. You need to get on the phone to Stratstone and stop them doing any work on your car, that price is a disgrace. You will end up with a recon box whether you use a main dealer or not, as production of the midlands box ended some time ago. Use a site sponsor as they will be much better for you price wise. As you are probably aware you'll be able to find plenty of feedback on here about any of them.

If you are considering 1320 autos then you may be interested in their 5 or 6 speed Getrag conversion which will give you a much more reliable box. Thread is below.

Hope it works out and doesn't hurt the pocket to much.

http://www.mini2.com/forum/faults-fi...onversion.html

[MINI-Morgan]

Yeah certainly dont pay that! And why oh why do dealers keep say people need to change the flywheel?? I dont understand this myself... can anyone explain what I might be missing?

I'm betting you can get a recon box fitted at a decent garage for £1K or less. Check out the recon sites and the MINI sponsors that are bound to have one and often the recon companies also provide a warranty also.

[Richard Crofts]

try a guy called minimatt in the midlands he does recon boxes. Friend got there cooper one done recently for £500 all in I think or maybe it was £500 for the box and anouther 250-500 labour I cant remember but it was way cheaper than 2500!

[MINI-Morgan]

Quote: Originally Posted by Richard Crofts (original)

try a guy called minimatt in the midlands he does recon boxes. Friend got there cooper one done recently for £500 all in I think or maybe it was £500 for the box and anouther 250-500 labour I cant remember but it was way cheaper than 2500!

Thats the one I couldnt remember! Our parts man Matt! or some site like EnginesAndGearboxes.co.uk - Car Engines & Gearboxes:> Used Engines, Japanese Engines, Ford, BMW Gearboxes and more. if he cant help.

[Fu Manchu]

Just found this.

http://www.mini2.com/forum/3052570-post6.html

Basically 1320 autos quoting £1300 for supply and fit of a getrag box. This conversion includes changing the drive shafts and a few other bits but is far cheaper than Stratstone.

[MiniOneSam]

Right I've spoken to a few of the different companies sponsoring MINI2;

1320auto's are a bit too far away for me, however were very helpful
MiniManiaUK were also very helpful so will give them another call
Vecchio Engineering were also very good and said outside of BMW I could only be looking at £800-£1000

My representative at BMW Servicing is currently in talks with BMW to try and see if they will do some kind of good-will gesture as it is only JUST out of warranty, and apparently this can be quite a bit of money off and sometimes even all fitted for free!! But we will have to wait and see till tomorrow. Does anyone know any Mini Specialists in the Buckinghamshire/Bedfordshire area??

[supa-dupa-cooper]

Whoops

I was paniking this would happen in the week my old ONE was out of warrenty before I sold it...it never did though

[David King]

Sorry to hear that Sam, All id say is try and get a gearbox from a written off One/Cooper as it will probably be stronger than a Recon Unit.

[oldnell]

If it's only just out of warranty, push like crazy for goodwill from BMW. If it's not a good offer, ask them to try again. Your dealer will be wanting this to happen, as they know that if the offer's not good they won't get the business.

[Buz999]

Blimey, sorry to hear this Sam
This is a worry for me because the more i read this forum the more i hear of boxes breaking. I would definatley push for help off BMW otherwise get your car elsewhere as that quote is horrendous! Fingers crossed mine holds but if not i will goto either MINI MATT or 1320 and have the getrag 6 speed put in.
Good luck!

[helicopter pat]

Hi Sam.
Give Minimatt a ring. He is a very helpfull bloke and not a rip off. He fitted a low mileage engine in my Cooper last year with a clutch for 1K all in. He is up at Telford but I got my car up there with the RAC.. His wife Jackie will even try and sort out somewhere to stay if you need it and she does a mean fry up in her cafe opposite Matt's.Phone No 01952 463800.
Pat

[MiniOneSam]

Thanks for all your replies everyone, I've already started looking at the different possibilities!!

Quote: Originally Posted by helicopter pat (original)

Hi Sam.
Give Minimatt a ring. He is a very helpfull bloke and not a rip off. He fitted a low mileage engine in my Cooper last year with a clutch for 1K all in. He is up at Telford but I got my car up there with the RAC.. His wife Jackie will even try and sort out somewhere to stay if you need it and she does a mean fry up in her cafe opposite Matt's.Phone No 01952 463800.
Pat

How much did the RAC charge you for that?

[Richard Crofts]

Personally if 1320 can do 6 speed getrag for 1300 fitted and others are gonna be even half that for a 5 speed midland then i'd pay the extra and get the getrag as the midland box is pap and woill like as not give up the ghost in anouther 40k or less! You should be able to ask your recovery company to transport it for you without a charge, or if not free then it should not be too much at all.

[MiniOneSam]

SO...I just got off the phone to Stratstone, and my representative says BMW are going to cover 100% the cost of parts and 50% of the labour, and all I have to pay is 50% of labour which works out roughly £419!! So happy!!

[supa-dupa-cooper]

Good result Sam

[1320autos]

Nice one Sam, and now you have 2yrs unlimted mileage warranty