[Mark S]

Unfortunetly my car is in the garage as the gear box and clutch are knackered ive only just bought the car and had it 4 weeks done 800 miles and its in the garage already, it s a 2003 MCS.

Im told by the garage (non bmw dealer) that the gear box diff case has exploded!!! and has a hole in the side of it and has leaked oil all over the clutch and sprayed metal onto it, hence both need to be replaced!!! first quote £3000 pounds!!! can you imagine.

They are offering a new clutch (bmw) part and a reconditioned gear box from Tame side transmissions?? ( any body heard of them???)

What i need to know from you guys is, is a re conditioned gear box alright and will it drive ok and will the gear changes be smooth and will performance be ok etc or does anybody know where i can get a good one at a good price....

Also can anyone suggest any other parts i should get changed whilst the box and clutch are being replaced??

The total cost of repair will be 550ish for the box + vat and 400 for the clutch kit inc labour + vat, plus other small parts total costing around 1350 - 1400 and i will have to pay 360ish! gutted.

Please help,

Cheers Mark.

[1320autos]

Sounds a really good, price though it sounds like the gearbox is just a used one at that money.

[Mark S]

its a re conditioned one and the garage will exchange my one against the the re con one. I am just worried it will drive **** with a re con box or will it be ok. Do you know anywhere i can get a box from at a good price????

[..Blackadder..]

Hi Mark sorry to hear about your car a guy at work got a box for his A3 from tameside trannys not had a problem with it since, hope you get it sorted soon.

[Mark S]

Cheers mate. Does anyone know much about a re con gear box is it an old case with new components inside or am i just getting a second hand gear box that could have done 200,000 miles!!! or is it like new???

[..Blackadder..]

Just a thought could you not phone them up and ask them what you would be getting off them?

[Mark S]

do you mean like ask what car it has come from? the garage is sorting it out and being really arsey so probably not.

[MINIAC]

What does a re-manufactured transmission from a MINI dealer cost?

If you don't use the cruise control on your MINI you might want to consider a transmission for a late (July 2004 onward) model, because it has gearing for better acceleration.

[..Blackadder..]

You don't have to let on who you are just make out your making an enquiry.

[Mark S]

i think the garage also said the recon gear box was around 900 to 1000 and that with the trade in of my broken box it would be around 550ish does that sound ok???

[Mark S]

Quote: Originally Posted by MINIAC (original)

What does a re-manufactured transmission from a MINI dealer cost?

If you don't use the cruise control on your MINI you might want to consider a transmission for a late (July 2004 onward) model, because it has gearing for better acceleration.

I think its around 1700 quid and the garage wont pay that! i do use the cruise control and i guess i just want the car to be standard really

[..Blackadder..]

Quote: Originally Posted by Mark S (original)

i think the garage also said the recon gear box was around 900 to 1000 and that with the trade in of my broken box it would be around 550ish does that sound ok???

Sorry mate can't help you on that one

[MINIMANIAUK]

As far as I know there are no parts available for the getrag unit ,so I cant see how its overhauled.

I have a brand new 6 speed cooper s box available £650 +vat.

PM me.

[MarkW]

shouldn't the garage/seller be fixing this free? major gearbox failure within 800miles 4 weeks isn't right.

some info on autotrader
Car Buyers' Legal Rights - Auto Trader UK

[R99]

Yep, as I said in the LMR thread, you really should not be out of pocket, after owning the car for 4 weeks!!!

[Mark S]

Thanks to everyone for thier advice on this, unfortunetly the dealer at oak wood motor company, bolton where i bought the car is trying to make me pay for as much as possible and is treating this an inconvienence to him not me.

His final offer is for a re conditioned gear box and a new bmw mini clutch kit and the cost to me will be 350 pounds i think he wil be paying in the region of 800

Obviously im not happy at paying anything and they are trying to say i must have driven the car hard and have broken it in the 800 miles i have driven in it (not the case, its my pride and joy)

I have spoken to trading standards and citizens advice bureau who gave conflicting info but trading standards said it would be a lengthy procedure and i may need to have a specialist report to about the gear box and i may not get anywhere.

Im trying to look on the bright side that im getting a new gear box and clutch for 350 and after speaking to lohen and bmw they have put my mind at rest and have said that a re con box is ok and will be better than the box that was in before it broke as it wil have new bearing and seals etc, bmw also said the boxes they sell at 1700 quid are also re cons!

Anyway im just gonna get it repaired and see how the car is after the work, fingers crossed!

Thanks everyone for your help and advice.

Mark

[..Blackadder..]

Sorry you have to shell that out where abouts in Bolton is Oak wood??? are they in the BOC on Manchester Rd, just wondering as i'm from Bolton

[Mark S]

THey are off the main road into bolton called gilnoll or something similar.

[Mor7s]

sorry to hear your news Mark S.

My 2003 MCS JCW just had a recon box fitted this week under cherished warranty at dealership, I was told had to be a recon unit as you can no longer get a new one, apparently same casing had been used but all new internals. The box is fine as far as I can tell - only done 30 miles since - and bit smoother than old one so I'd be fairly relaxed about the recon fact and as others have suggested do what you can to try and make sure it comes from a good supplier (I don't know where BMW got this one from and am nowhere near Bolton so v unlikely to be same I guess).

In terms of cost it was suggested to me that main dealer cost for removal and replacement plus parts on the box alone could be 2k so i was chuffed about the warranty. Whilst they had the box out I paid for a new clutch as there was no labour whilst all apart etc etc and that cost me £180 inc vat.

Obviously paying anything out on a car you've had for four weeks hurts but hopefully the above helps set your mind to rest a bit on the unit being reconditioned.

[Mark S]

Hey,#
Cheers mate , thanks for the advice.