Urgent Gearbox Help

[burns863]

Well, to cut a long story short my 02 Cooper has now gone through its second gearbox and needs a 3rd replacement after only 77,000 miles. Previous owners changed the last one but its run out of warranty by 3 months

Pretty sure the replacement they had was a midland box. Im wondering if it is possible for me to replace the 2nd nackered box with a Getrag box? Im trying to keep the cost donw as much as possible so the dealership is a no go.

Any help is urgently needed and very much appreciated. I need to get the car on the road a.s.a.p.

On the other hand, should I cut my losses and trade in for a newer model? As the power steering pump has now started to play up and the airbag light is on Thing is I still have a few years of payments left on my AA car loan and i cant see myself any better off from trading in, other than having a new and hopefully fully functional MINI.

Thanks

Dan

[sef]

With a getrag box you'll need to change the drive shafts too...

Give 1320 autos a call they may be able to help you out...

[burns863]

Quote: Originally Posted by sef (original)

With a getrag box you'll need to change the drive shafts too...

Give 1320 autos a call they may be able to help you out...

1320 Confirmed exactly what you say They are getting back to me with a price. But they quoted me £1200 for a new midland box So im not expecting wonders witht he price on the Getrag as like you say I will need a drive shaft replacement too.

I have had one quote by the company who fitted the gearbox thats just broke and they supply and fit for £650. That was actually the previous owner that very kindly got that quote for me But it does mean that Im not sure if the quote is for a Midland or a Getrag.

Help

[drumzz]

hi,
i know that someone dealt with north oxford mini and got there box replaced with a getrag from a midland...why dont u go into your dealer and ask for a goodwill gesture? no harm? i'd be interested to know the price 1320autos give you to replace it with a getrag..thanks

[sef]

Replacing a gearbox isn't easy that's for sure... This was covered recently in Modern Mini Mag... The £650 supply and fit is prob from a crash damaged car or a recon box... If you go this route make sure you get a good warranty on it... Out of interest where did you get the quote from?

[burns863]

Quote: Originally Posted by drumzz (original)

hi,
i know that someone dealt with north oxford mini and got there box replaced with a getrag from a midland...why dont u go into your dealer and ask for a goodwill gesture? no harm? i'd be interested to know the price 1320autos give you to replace it with a getrag..thanks

1320 Have just phoned me back. Price is £1300 for supply and fit of a Getrag and all the other neccessary part changed (drive shaft, flywheel etc).

Quote: Originally Posted by sef (original)

Replacing a gearbox isn't easy that's for sure... This was covered recently in Modern Mini Mag... The £650 supply and fit is prob from a crash damaged car or a recon box... If you go this route make sure you get a good warranty on it... Out of interest where did you get the quote from?

I have just found out thid myself actually. The £650 is for a reconditioned unit and was from Tameside Transmissions. The £1200 quote for a midland from 1320 is for a brand new unit but without labour. I am just waiting for the garage where the MINI is at now to get back to me with their quote. To be honest I think my best option is to have the work done there as they have stripped down the car already. if i was takingo t somewhere else I would have to pay them for the labour from stripping it and putting it back together. Consequently I would have ti pay for this again when having the box fitted at another garage so any money saved on the quote will be lost through paying for labour twice

[sef]

Ouch... Let us know how things go... Hope you can get it all sorted...

[Richard22b]

1320Autos fitted a cooper S gearbox to my MINI One. same kinda price. but worth the money

[burns863]

Quote: Originally Posted by sef (original)

Ouch... Let us know how things go... Hope you can get it all sorted...

Thanks Sef By the way, love your colour combination... although I suppose i am biased Mine is the same!

Quote: Originally Posted by Richard22b (original)

1320Autos fitted a cooper S gearbox to my MINI One. same kinda price. but worth the money

This has also crossed my mind. 6 speed gearbox which is a lot stronger I guess?

[sef]

Black and Blue... It's the future for I have foreseen it...

[Richard22b]

Quote: Originally Posted by burns863 (original)

Thanks Sef By the way, love your colour combination... although I suppose i am biased Mine is the same!



This has also crossed my mind. 6 speed gearbox which is a lot stronger I guess?

A lot lot stronger. plus the ratios are very nice in my car now. pulls like a dream. Paul at 1320autos was very helpful. explained everything

[Paul@1320]

The recondition midland gearbox we supply for £1200 comes with 2 years unlimited mileage warranty

The midland to getrag 5spd conversion, unfortunatley you have to change the g.box, flywheel,clutch, both driveshafts,gearstick and cables, air filter box and filter, gearbox mounts. £1300 plus vat fitted, this is using all the components from one car i.e clutch as well. New OEM clutches are available for an extra £170.

[drumzz]

so would u recommend a change from midland to getrag or not?

[burns863]

Quote: Originally Posted by 1320autos (original)

The recondition midland gearbox we supply for £1200 comes with 2 years unlimited mileage warranty

The midland to getrag 5spd conversion, unfortunatley you have to change the g.box, flywheel,clutch, both driveshafts,gearstick and cables, air filter box and filter, gearbox mounts. £1300 plus vat fitted, this is using all the components from one car i.e clutch as well. New OEM clutches are available for an extra £170.

Thanks again You were a great help on the phone earlier!

Well... gearbox is now being replaced at a total price of £900 inc.VAT. It worked out cheaper to have it done where it is, as the garage had already stripped it down so as I said before, didnt want to pay them for the labour then take it elsewhere and pay to have it stripped again.

£900 is a hell of a lot of money, really worried now that this is going to happen again. Its unlikely but I have lost all confidence

[burns863]

Well... I think that if there was some kind of award for having bad luck, then I would be a fairly good contender for the title right now.

Not getting my MINI back today anymore There has been a fire at the garage in the building where my car is The garage have assured me that my car is ok and its not been harmed. The building is closed off as there is gas bottles in there that got really hot. I didnt really get a lot of information as the woman seemed to be a bit flustered and I was sort of shocked I dont "think" she said one of the bottles exploded though. I thihnk there has been a fire and the fire brigade have it keep them cool.

So... the building is closed for at least the rest of the day, could closed further into the weekend so my car cant be worked on!

EDIT: Just got a phone call while typing this. There hasnt "actually" been a fire. There is just a risk of one. A pipe has been damaged by a blow torch and some gas bottles have become really hot or something. Fire brigade are there as cautionary to keep everything cool.

Still though, my car cant be worked on and I am left just waiting This has to be it now. if anything else goes wrong then I think I am actually jinxed and sadly I now sort of feel that I need to trade in.

I think a beer is in order later