MINI2

Hubert · Nov 10th, 2003, 07:01 AM

I'd like to share my experience here with other MC owners about my ex (my BRG MC). I've taken good care of my MC for the past year or so, and I've got the habit of pumping the throttle a little during every downshift to ensure smooth driving. Unfortunately the gearbox still failed on me.

Incidence1: I was in the car park a few weeks ago and when I tried to shift into reverse, OMG.....nothing! It feels like the gearbox got disengaged. I had to press and release the clutch several times in order to get it working again.

Incidence2: A week later, I was on Tolo Highway and when tried to downshift from 5th to 4th, the gear got stuck in 5th and again the gearbox feels like "nothing". It was very dangerous so I had to pull over to the left lane to let the car roll on slowly, and doing that press and release clutch thing again. I was lucky to be able to get back into 4th a minute later, and I do mean 60 seconds+.

On the good side, the car will probably get a new gearbox before the warranty expires

, so it'll last for another 2 years maybe???

It was until I've experienced this that I started to look into the "faults and fixes" discussion group, and realised that quite a lot owners have experienced problems with that 5 speed gearbox, one way or another.

Take good care of your MC, and be warned....

wongakh · Nov 11th, 2003, 04:34 AM

Hubert, did you actually get your gearbox replace? Mine is also a manual MC and haven't notice any unusual problem so far.

Alan

Hubert · Nov 11th, 2003, 07:29 AM

I sold my car already so the dealer is taking care of it. In fact, the gearbox failed again when the dealer was driving it the other day, so it got towed back to BMW. And yes, the gearbox will be replaced.

adampoon · Nov 11th, 2003, 09:23 AM

It is scarly ! Did anyone has this problem before ?

Adam

HarryHBMCC · Nov 11th, 2003, 01:20 PM

If you do a search you'll see that several people, myself included, have had the 5-speed gearbox replaced in their MINI Cooper.

Harry

paddy · Nov 12th, 2003, 11:48 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by HarryIndiBlue

If you do a search you'll see that several people, myself included, have had the 5-speed gearbox replaced in their MINI Cooper.

Harry

I am right up there with HarryIndiBlue. I had the transmission replaced just under 2 months ago. Today they replaced the "gear shift lug". Time will tell.....

sdmidget · Nov 13th, 2003, 04:27 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by paddy

I am right up there with HarryIndiBlue. I had the transmission replaced just under 2 months ago. Today they replaced the "gear shift lug". Time will tell.....

Hey Paddy!

How many miles did you have on your car?

(I'm over 29,500 on mine so far - only an occasional problem getting it into reverse.)

Steve

R1 · Nov 13th, 2003, 05:31 PM

I had mine replaced at 4500 miles!!

Lost reverse and 1st!

Done 14,500 on the replacement box and no problems yet!

Build date: May '02

paddy · Nov 13th, 2003, 09:50 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by sdmidget

Hey Paddy!

How many miles did you have on your car?

(I'm over 29,500 on mine so far - only an occasional problem getting it into reverse.)

Steve

Steve,
I have just gone over 43K. The problems that I am having are little ones that just seem to annoy.

paddy

ncdave · Nov 13th, 2003, 10:03 PM

It would be really useful if everyone posted their build dates so we can assess whether we're dealing with a problem that may have been resolved in later builds. My MINI's birthday was 1/8/03, 10K miles, no problems. Thanks.

Hubert · Nov 13th, 2003, 11:44 PM

My MC is May 02 built, with 19k on the clock (but I do a lot of short journeys).

sdmidget · Nov 14th, 2003, 03:23 AM

March 2002 build here

theminiv · Nov 14th, 2003, 10:33 AM

hiya
My cooper box went at 24000 miles, but i had to have a new clutch aswell.

Build date NOV 01

minky · Nov 14th, 2003, 10:41 AM

Hmm I have been followingthreads like these and am worried about mine, I have a OCt 2001 Build 24k on the clock at the moe. I occaisionally have problems getting into revese\first gear and just drop the clutch and try again and seems fine. I also get a metalic pitch humm when I low rev off on first gears from standing.

Do we know what is causing the Gearbox failure??? can anyone helpl diagnose what the problem Imight be having are???

paddy · Nov 14th, 2003, 09:58 PM

Feb/02 build date. Replaced transmission, new gear shift lug, 5-speed shift linkage recall.

As of right now all seems to going just fine, 43K miles since 4/16/02

HarryHBMCC · Nov 15th, 2003, 01:57 AM

Feb/02 build date. Replaced tranny. 5-speed linkage recall.

37k km since 4/30/02.

Harry

ncdave · Nov 15th, 2003, 12:42 PM

It sounds like most of the problems were on early build cars. Still, tracking this sort of information is extremely useful. Any gearbox issues on later builds out there?

SupeRub · Nov 17th, 2003, 07:56 AM

I have a feb 03 and when driving hard have trouble downshifting 3rd back to 2nd. Get a grinding sound but only when going hard and only sometimes. Have only done 14k km

Any Ideas?

This thread has got me worried now

HarryHBMCC · Nov 17th, 2003, 01:54 PM

Sounds like the synchros are shot, Supe. You could try double-clutching to see if that's it (park in neutral, clutch in and out, then into 2nd).

Harry

johnlummis · Jan 31st, 2005, 06:14 PM

Hello Hubert,my Mini build date was May 02,I have 87500 on mine,!st gearbox replaced at 51733 exactly but have had another 4 after that making 5 in total so far,my car has been off the road 22 days in total in 2 1/2 years because of either design faults(water corroding contacts of power steering pump,o/s door mirror and front wiper motor,2 burn't out cluches.I wonder if mine was built on a Monday morning.I hope no one else has had anywhere near as much trouble as mine.john

Nov 10th, 2003, 07:01 AM	#1
Hubert Track Junkie Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Hong Kong Local Time: 01:12 AM Posts: 555 Offline	Broken gearbox for manual MC I'd like to share my experience here with other MC owners about my ex (my BRG MC). I've taken good care of my MC for the past year or so, and I've got the habit of pumping the throttle a little during every downshift to ensure smooth driving. Unfortunately the gearbox still failed on me. Incidence1: I was in the car park a few weeks ago and when I tried to shift into reverse, OMG.....nothing! It feels like the gearbox got disengaged. I had to press and release the clutch several times in order to get it working again. Incidence2: A week later, I was on Tolo Highway and when tried to downshift from 5th to 4th, the gear got stuck in 5th and again the gearbox feels like "nothing". It was very dangerous so I had to pull over to the left lane to let the car roll on slowly, and doing that press and release clutch thing again. I was lucky to be able to get back into 4th a minute later, and I do mean 60 seconds+. On the good side, the car will probably get a new gearbox before the warranty expires , so it'll last for another 2 years maybe??? It was until I've experienced this that I started to look into the "faults and fixes" discussion group, and realised that quite a lot owners have experienced problems with that 5 speed gearbox, one way or another. Take good care of your MC, and be warned....

Nov 11th, 2003, 04:34 AM	#2 (permalink)
wongakh Mini Black Join Date: Aug 2002 Local Time: 01:12 AM Posts: 242 Offline	Hubert, did you actually get your gearbox replace? Mine is also a manual MC and haven't notice any unusual problem so far. Alan Alfa 147 GTA Mini Cooper

Nov 11th, 2003, 09:23 AM	#4 (permalink)
adampoon MINI2 Senior Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Hong Kong Island Local Time: 01:12 AM Posts: 361 Offline	It is scarly ! Did anyone has this problem before ? Adam JCW Kit. KW2, Tarox Brake, more............

Nov 11th, 2003, 01:20 PM	#5 (permalink)
HarryHBMCC MINI2 Master Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Guelph, Ontario, Can Local Time: 12:12 PM Posts: 2,686 Offline	If you do a search you'll see that several people, myself included, have had the 5-speed gearbox replaced in their MINI Cooper. Harry MINI Cooper Cabrio: now the car with go cart handling really feels like an open go cart! "... the only man that can come home at 3 am in the morning without getting into trouble with his spouse is the owner of a British sports car!" -- Phil Bailey

Nov 12th, 2003, 11:48 PM	#6 (permalink)
paddy Anyone seen MP lately??? Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Olney, MD Local Time: 01:12 PM Posts: 1,126 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by HarryIndiBlue If you do a search you'll see that several people, myself included, have had the 5-speed gearbox replaced in their MINI Cooper. Harry I am right up there with HarryIndiBlue. I had the transmission replaced just under 2 months ago. Today they replaced the "gear shift lug". Time will tell..... "We will not tire, we will not falter, and we will not fail..." -- President George W. Bush - Sept. 20, 2001

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Nov 11th, 2003, 07:29 AM	#3 (permalink)
Hubert Track Junkie Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Hong Kong Local Time: 01:12 AM Posts: 555 Offline	I sold my car already so the dealer is taking care of it. In fact, the gearbox failed again when the dealer was driving it the other day, so it got towed back to BMW. And yes, the gearbox will be replaced.

Nov 13th, 2003, 04:27 PM	#7 (permalink)
sdmidget MINI2 Master Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Lancaster, PA (USA) Local Time: 12:12 PM Posts: 931 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by paddy I am right up there with HarryIndiBlue. I had the transmission replaced just under 2 months ago. Today they replaced the "gear shift lug". Time will tell..... Hey Paddy! How many miles did you have on your car? (I'm over 29,500 on mine so far - only an occasional problem getting it into reverse.) Steve 2002 BRG/W [BRidGet] traded in on 2005 Jet Black/White/White Cooper [?name?] 2005 #1 wrecked by SUV on 6/03/05 2005 Jet Black/White/White Cooper (2005 #2) [?name?] picked up on 6/24/05

Nov 13th, 2003, 05:31 PM	#8 (permalink)
R1 Addicted to Speed!! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: ..."B" roads!! Local Time: 06:12 PM Posts: 4,915 Offline	I had mine replaced at 4500 miles!! Lost reverse and 1st! Done 14,500 on the replacement box and no problems yet! Build date: May '02 Last edited by R1 : Nov 13th, 2003 at 11:28 PM. Reason: Added build date.

Nov 13th, 2003, 09:50 PM	#9 (permalink)
paddy Anyone seen MP lately??? Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Olney, MD Local Time: 01:12 PM Posts: 1,126 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by sdmidget Hey Paddy! How many miles did you have on your car? (I'm over 29,500 on mine so far - only an occasional problem getting it into reverse.) Steve Steve, I have just gone over 43K. The problems that I am having are little ones that just seem to annoy. paddy "We will not tire, we will not falter, and we will not fail..." -- President George W. Bush - Sept. 20, 2001

Nov 13th, 2003, 10:03 PM	#10 (permalink)
ncdave MINI2 Senior Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raleigh, NC Local Time: 01:12 PM Posts: 654 Offline	It would be really useful if everyone posted their build dates so we can assess whether we're dealing with a problem that may have been resolved in later builds. My MINI's birthday was 1/8/03, 10K miles, no problems. Thanks.

Nov 13th, 2003, 11:44 PM	#11 (permalink)
Hubert Track Junkie Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Hong Kong Local Time: 01:12 AM Posts: 555 Offline	My MC is May 02 built, with 19k on the clock (but I do a lot of short journeys).

Nov 14th, 2003, 03:23 AM	#12 (permalink)
sdmidget MINI2 Master Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Lancaster, PA (USA) Local Time: 12:12 PM Posts: 931 Offline	March 2002 build here 2002 BRG/W [BRidGet] traded in on 2005 Jet Black/White/White Cooper [?name?] 2005 #1 wrecked by SUV on 6/03/05 2005 Jet Black/White/White Cooper (2005 #2) [?name?] picked up on 6/24/05

Nov 14th, 2003, 10:33 AM	#13 (permalink)
theminiv MINI2 Veteran My Classifieds Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Britain Local Time: 06:12 PM Posts: 606 Offline	hiya My cooper box went at 24000 miles, but i had to have a new clutch aswell. Build date NOV 01 Focus > Mini One > Mini Cooper > Mini Cooper > BMW 316 > BMW 318 > MINI ONE > BMW 120i > MINI ONE PEPPER! - IM BACK!!

Nov 14th, 2003, 10:41 AM	#14 (permalink)
minky MINI2 Regular Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Geordie Land Local Time: 05:12 PM Posts: 242 Offline	Hmm I have been followingthreads like these and am worried about mine, I have a OCt 2001 Build 24k on the clock at the moe. I occaisionally have problems getting into revese\first gear and just drop the clutch and try again and seems fine. I also get a metalic pitch humm when I low rev off on first gears from standing. Do we know what is causing the Gearbox failure??? can anyone helpl diagnose what the problem Imight be having are???

Nov 14th, 2003, 09:58 PM	#15 (permalink)
paddy Anyone seen MP lately??? Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Olney, MD Local Time: 01:12 PM Posts: 1,126 Offline	Feb/02 build date. Replaced transmission, new gear shift lug, 5-speed shift linkage recall. As of right now all seems to going just fine, 43K miles since 4/16/02 "We will not tire, we will not falter, and we will not fail..." -- President George W. Bush - Sept. 20, 2001

Nov 15th, 2003, 01:57 AM	#16 (permalink)
HarryHBMCC MINI2 Master Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Guelph, Ontario, Can Local Time: 12:12 PM Posts: 2,686 Offline	Feb/02 build date. Replaced tranny. 5-speed linkage recall. 37k km since 4/30/02. Harry MINI Cooper Cabrio: now the car with go cart handling really feels like an open go cart! "... the only man that can come home at 3 am in the morning without getting into trouble with his spouse is the owner of a British sports car!" -- Phil Bailey

Nov 15th, 2003, 12:42 PM	#17 (permalink)
ncdave MINI2 Senior Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raleigh, NC Local Time: 01:12 PM Posts: 654 Offline	It sounds like most of the problems were on early build cars. Still, tracking this sort of information is extremely useful. Any gearbox issues on later builds out there?

Nov 17th, 2003, 07:56 AM	#18 (permalink)
SupeRub Becoming Stealthy Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Brisbane City Local Time: 03:12 AM Posts: 482 Offline	I have a feb 03 and when driving hard have trouble downshifting 3rd back to 2nd. Get a grinding sound but only when going hard and only sometimes. Have only done 14k km Any Ideas? This thread has got me worried now

Nov 17th, 2003, 01:54 PM	#19 (permalink)
HarryHBMCC MINI2 Master Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Guelph, Ontario, Can Local Time: 12:12 PM Posts: 2,686 Offline	Sounds like the synchros are shot, Supe. You could try double-clutching to see if that's it (park in neutral, clutch in and out, then into 2nd). Harry MINI Cooper Cabrio: now the car with go cart handling really feels like an open go cart! "... the only man that can come home at 3 am in the morning without getting into trouble with his spouse is the owner of a British sports car!" -- Phil Bailey

Jan 31st, 2005, 06:14 PM	#20 (permalink)
johnlummis MINI2 Regular Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Oldham,England. Local Time: 06:12 PM Posts: 182 Offline	Hello Hubert,my Mini build date was May 02,I have 87500 on mine,!st gearbox replaced at 51733 exactly but have had another 4 after that making 5 in total so far,my car has been off the road 22 days in total in 2 1/2 years because of either design faults(water corroding contacts of power steering pump,o/s door mirror and front wiper motor,2 burn't out cluches.I wonder if mine was built on a Monday morning.I hope no one else has had anywhere near as much trouble as mine.john NOTHING IN MODERATION,EVERYTHING TO EXCESS,MODERATION IS FOR MONKS AND I ONLY EAT RAW MEAT IF ITS WEARING RED STILLETTO'S

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