Edmunds.com Cooper S Long-Term Test

[CoopR]

Edmunds has just begun a long-term test of the Cooper S: http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/longt...3/article.html

The test is off to a rough start, however, as their Cooper S suffered the dreaded "broken shift linkage" malady:

"Backing up requires snapping the shifter through a detent and into reverse," Phil explained. "I did this and felt a pop. The shifter was suddenly loose in my hand. I couldn't change gears — I couldn't take it out of gear." Now it was time to stop testing the Mini and begin testing the efficiency of Mini Roadside Assistance.

I thought this problem affected only the 5-speed manual, not the 6-speed. Hopefully this was just an isolated incident . . .

[GMINI]

Well really. What did they EXPECT? Didn't they hang out for months on this site before they finally got their test subject? Hadn't they been prepared for this? They can hardly count such absolutely predictable quirkiness against the MINI!

[Guido]

My shift cable (S/6 speed)broke in May during a roadrace/time trials competition. Tip: cable ties, 2 or 3 tied in figure 8s around the knuckle on the gearbox and the collar on the cable lasted through 3 more days of racing. Of course, the nerve damage in my hands came in handy because I burned them badly trying to work in the hot engine compartment right next to exhaust, plus it required removing the airbox for access.

When I picked up the cable a couple of days later at Desert Mini in Las Vegas the parts counterman told me it was a 'fast moving' part, and as many 6 spds as 5 spds were breaking. So don't believe the BS that the problem is only on 5 speeds.:confused: