disturbing, data please?

[Coop2004]

I've just started reading the threads about pre July of 2004 Mini's have gear box failure. It's late and I'm not going out to the car to see what month my 2004 was built. Not sure I really want to confirm date.
From experience on bass guitar forums I know a few bad experiences with amplifier manufacturers posted on a forum can make a few failures look like a complete collapse of life as we know it.
How many of these gear boxes are failing and how quickly? I think it would be easy to find out how many cars were produced or sold in a time period. Can we find out how many gearboxes are failing? Real point of this though is SHOULD I BE FREAKING about my 2004

[DaFlake]

99% of people that come to a forum, come to complain. Some stay and some go. I found MINI2 searching for an answer to an issue. However, I would think that the happy users greatly out number the unhappy. So, getting yourself spun up over some posts about possible failures is crazy. Every car (product) forum is like this...

You may never have a problem or you might. Why worry about it until it happens?

[Paul]

It's basically before July 2004 the cars had Midland gearboxes, which were an old design and apparently made from balsa wood. The getrag box tends to be noisier, notchier, but more reliable.

We had one One with the old gearbox, it went after about 4 years, 30ish thousand miles.

[Root Ginger]

The simple answer is if you have the old gearbox it will fail at some point. It seems to be pretty random too when they fail but there are plenty of early warning signs.

[Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by Root Ginger (original)

The simple answer is if you have the old gearbox it will fail at some point. It seems to be pretty random too when they fail but there are plenty of early warning signs.

Ours seemed to just let go, in the space of one two mile journey it felt odd, was being nursed, then just gave up.

[Root Ginger]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett (original)

Ours seemed to just let go, in the space of one two mile journey it felt odd, was being nursed, then just gave up.

That's interesting to read Paul. I stand corrected.

[Coop2004]

Thanks, but I'm not looking for "the simple" answer. Can anyone give me hard info? How many of the gearboxes are failing and at what point? Are for example 70% of them failing before 50,000 miles. Or is it 5% fail before 50,000 miles ? Is it possible to get "useful" info on this topic?

If 5% fail before 50,000 miles I will probably play the odds and keep my 2004. If 50% fail before 50,000 miles it might be wise to sell it now. What is the real story here?

[Gristy]

Quote: Originally Posted by Root Ginger (original)

The simple answer is if you have the old gearbox it will fail at some point. It seems to be pretty random too when they fail but there are plenty of early warning signs.

I have a 2003 MC with no problems with gearbox, clutch etc and its on 42,000 miles

Whats the early warning signs? - if you get warning! (don't want to make people paranoid)

[Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by Coop2004 (original)

Thanks, but I'm not looking for "the simple" answer. Can anyone give me hard info? How many of the gearboxes are failing and at what point? Are for example 70% of them failing before 50,000 miles. Or is it 5% fail before 50,000 miles ? Is it possible to get "useful" info on this topic?

If 5% fail before 50,000 miles I will probably play the odds and keep my 2004. If 50% fail before 50,000 miles it might be wise to sell it now. What is the real story here?

You'd have to find a data analysis/warranty research company who have access to BMW data for that I'd imagine. Or start your own proper survey and do your best to gather that information.

I'm not aware of any sources for that accurate information.

[DaFlake]

Quote: Originally Posted by Coop2004 (original)

Thanks, but I'm not looking for "the simple" answer. Can anyone give me hard info? How many of the gearboxes are failing and at what point? Are for example 70% of them failing before 50,000 miles. Or is it 5% fail before 50,000 miles ? Is it possible to get "useful" info on this topic?

If 5% fail before 50,000 miles I will probably play the odds and keep my 2004. If 50% fail before 50,000 miles it might be wise to sell it now. What is the real story here?

As Paul said, if you want "hard" info, you are going to have to audit BMW/MINI and I don't think they are going to open their doors quickly to just an individual.

You will only get a guess on any forums.

[james 3200]

My late 02 gear box on a cooper went at 34000, my brothers late 03 coopers gearbox went at 12000 miles

My brothers was under warranty at the time, mine was not and i had to pay half the labour charge due to a good will

[Coop2004]

Fair enough. I'm think I'm going to ask this question in the general discussion section. I'm hoping to get more views and feedback. Do any of you think another part of the Mini2 forum would get more hits and expand the survey? thanks for your thoughts.

Oh, for those who had gear boxes replaced, do they put the same box back in or can they put the post July 2004 unit in?

[Paul]

They put the same box back in.

Please do not duplicate the same post in multiple sections as that violates site guidelines.

[Root Ginger]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett (original)

They put the same box back in.

Although some MINI2 members have had later boxes fitted by aftermarket companies.

[DaFlake]

Quote: Originally Posted by Coop2004 (original)

Fair enough. I'm think I'm going to ask this question in the general discussion section. I'm hoping to get more views and feedback. Do any of you think another part of the Mini2 forum would get more hits and expand the survey? thanks for your thoughts.

Oh, for those who had gear boxes replaced, do they put the same box back in or can they put the post July 2004 unit in?

You are not going to get solid information like that from this site, so posting in another part won't help.

Try calling MINI USA and see if they can help you.