Noisy gearbox on 54 Reg Mini One or Cooper

[Pacman]

On collecting my Fab new Mini One. I was shocked to here my much anticipate Getrag 5 gearbox making lots of nasty noises. Description: Excessive noise whilst idling in neutral, similar to that expected of a failed clutch thrust bearing. Also, general knocking noises when engaging gears plus whirring noises when turning under load. I've had it inspected by BMW and they described its as 'sounding like a tractor'.

They initially offered to replace the box and clutch, but on collection they told me that they all sounded like that. I've now test drive two other New Mini's and they both had similar simptoms but not as bad as mine. I feel that the Mini's troubled history of gearbox problems has taken an new turn.

If anyone else is experiencing similar problems, I would be keen to here from you.

Pacman

[Pinball]

Yellow! I collected my new Coop two days ago and have also noted a similar noises. Am not sure what the noises are but the only sound when changing gear. I think its the linkage - maybe 'cos i's new I think I will give it a few more miles to see if the noise dies down once the car has been run in. I have also noticed a noise when turning but MINIs do have noisy steering. But again, I would give this a while, and if the problem persists, speak to the dealer.

Apart from that are you having fun? Because I am

[Pacman]

Quote: Originally Posted by Pinball

Yellow! I collected my new Coop two days ago and have also noted a similar noises. Am not sure what the noises are but the only sound when changing gear. I think its the linkage - maybe 'cos i's new I think I will give it a few more miles to see if the noise dies down once the car has been run in. I have also noticed a noise when turning but MINIs do have noisy steering. But again, I would give this a while, and if the problem persists, speak to the dealer.

Apart from that are you having fun? Because I am

Mines covered the 1st 1000miles. And I've loved every one of them its just a shame that it sound so rough then driving around town.

I've also done some snooping around on MINI2 tonight and there seem to be a few people who have had similar noises related to the clutch on 2005 models. I'm now waiting for a regional service manager to inspect the car so I'll update once I have their diagnosis. Hopefully he will agree to replace the offending parts and bring an end to the noises.

[Olly.]

My gearbox is making the same noise. I was hoping it was going to calm down after a couple of thousand miles but maybe i'm being a bit optimistic?

Think a trip to the dealer is needed

[spook]

Picked up my mini cooper a week last Thursday. Immediately noticed clunking noises from gearbox and clutch and sort of air sucking noise when accelerating in low gears. It's my third cooper, the first replaced after 6 months because of a list of problems longer than most arms, the second had persistent problems over 2 years. This final one was part paid for by BMW as a fix for all the problems I've been having with the car(s). Not a great start really, but like most others from this thread I'm giving it a chance to settle down first before I stick a boot up the proverbial of the dealership... I'm going on holiday in it for a week or so next week, if it breaks or the noises don't settle I might even just sell it and start again with something else. Sigh...

[chrisha]

Hi,

I picked my Cooper on September 1st also noticed the noise when in Neutral, hoped it would calm down once I had run it in, however its still very apparant when idling. There is a kind of knocking noise which goes away as soon as you depress the clutch. Maybe I should call my dealer as it does not seem to be getting any better !!

[Pacman]

Quote: Originally Posted by chrisha

Hi,

I picked my Cooper on September 1st also noticed the noise when in Neutral, hoped it would calm down once I had run it in, however its still very apparant when idling. There is a kind of knocking noise which goes away as soon as you depress the clutch. Maybe I should call my dealer as it does not seem to be getting any better !!

It's very good of you fine people to give your Minis a chance to settle down. There is a chance it's just a characteristic of the gearbox, although as my Mini clocks up the miles the noises are getting louder. Unfortunately these types of mechanical noises seldom go away and only worsen as the gearbox wears in and loosens up. I speak from experience as my previous car an Alfa Romeo GTV, 'yes, Italian engineering and all that' Which with age started to make similar noises only to fail completely just as the warranty expires at 60,000miles, and not before I'd paid out for an new clutch in hope of solving the problem.

[sidatkins]

I have taken delivery on 17th September of a Cooper - manual trans.

It sounded a little clicky through the box - I am hoping it's the running in period!

I had a One before and 'lost' the gearbox on that...and 3 windscreens, and a steering rack, and some other bits that go up and down that I didn't know existed.

Funny though...I just bought a Cooper despite it all

[Pacman]

It's starting to look more like a chariteristic of the new Getrag gearbox. I've now had an independent diagnosis and it seems that my problem is more to do with the clutch thrust bearing.

It seems that we all love the Mini enought to forgive the dodgy German/British build quality. I hope I don't have to go through the sort of service histories that some Mini owners have gone through. As this is my first, and possibly my last.

But it's Friday, so I don't care.

Pacman

[sprite]

I've had my Cooper just over a week now - done 500 miles. Car doesn't seem to enjoy going slowly in 1st gear - i get some clunky noises but not too worried at the mo (also leaving it to run in a bit before I start finding fault). Loving the car - will be keeping an eye on any gearbox threads!

[westiebj]

Hi

I have posted here several times concerning the gearbox problems on my new Mini One.

Today I took it to the dealers and took a technician for a test drive.

Before I even finished describing the problem he new exactly what I was talking about. He had just finished test driving another new Mini with the same problem.

Apparently BMW are aware of the problem ( possibly with the layshaft) and have issued a service bulletin but as yet they have no solution

He said as soon as BMW have a solution they will be contacting owners

Lets hope they fix it soon.

Regards

[Cooper_Andy]

I have an '05 mini cooper, delivered on September 5th, after 625 miles the gearbox still has no unusual noises during driving, or idle. On the other hand, i do have a very annoying rattle from the right side towards the air vent, which seems to stop when i hold the dash in that area. Fingers crossed mini will sort this out as its doing my haed in!

[Olly.]

Just to check I have exactly the same noise heres a test for 05 cooper users

5th gear, 35mph and a about half throttle.

In mine it gives me a really horrible noise

Everyone elses the same?

[MattF]

i am having similar probs with my 05 Cooper. In pretty much any gear at around 2000rpm, if you floor it, a scratchy grinding noise can be heard. As soon as it picks up, its fine. I spoke to BMW, and apparently they are investigating it and cars will be recalled when a remedy has been found.

[Pacman]

Quote: Originally Posted by MattF

i am having similar probs with my 05 Cooper. In pretty much any gear at around 2000rpm, if you floor it, a scratchy grinding noise can be heard. As soon as it picks up, its fine. I spoke to BMW, and apparently they are investigating it and cars will be recalled when a remedy has been found.

Ah Ha.

This sounds more promising, I was finding it hard to believe BMW intentionally put a noisy gearbox in the new Mini. I've now covered another 400 fun Mini miles and Arhhh, it's getting more noisy. I'm due a visit from the man at BMW on the 18th October and I will let you know what the offical verdict is then. Although it sounds like BMW are on the case with a possible recall, until then if you are experiencing similar problems please keep posting, as the more of us that speak out the less BMW can ignore the problem.

Power to the Mini owners.

Have fun, Pacman