GEARBOX - Whats the full story?

[Mark550455]

Having just purchased my first 02 Cooper, notS, I feel a little apprehensive with the gearbox issues. But with all cars, if you read about all the issues, you would never invest. I have owned many cars, most recently, Porsche Boxster, which has issues with the crankshaft oil seal, scary but had no issues. Audi TT, dashpod issues, I had this, but no real issue.

Now I have a Mini Cooper and the main issue is the Midland Gearbox, here we go again, anxious feelings. Still, as we all know, out of the 100s of 1000s of cars on the road, we only here about the failures. So to cut a long thread short:

How many maintenance free gearbox's are out there and what mileage have you covered?

Mine has 50,000 and no issues yet, will change oil as a safety measure.

Cheers

[mab01uk]

2002 original Midland @ 60,000 miles no issues but I change the MTF94 gearbox oil every 2 years just to be sure, best to ignore BMW's 'filled for life' policy as they won't replace your gearbox outside warranty!

[James burbidge]

Cooper s 2003 72,000 going strong abit sticky at times after putting my foot down. Thinking changing oil too. Mab01uk how much do you pay every two years?

[The Nun]

Its all a matter of a pinion.

[mab01uk]

Quote: Originally Posted by James burbidge (original)

Cooper s 2003 72,000 going strong abit sticky at times after putting my foot down. Thinking changing oil too. Mab01uk how much do you pay every two years?

With the Cooper S you have a fairly bullet proof Getrag 6-speed gearbox even on the early models so no need to worry but still worth changing the gearbox oil occasionally to make sure......the oil is quite cheap as you only need 2 litres and if you are not into DIY any good garage should charge 1 hour labour max. Best and cheapest to combine it with an engine oil change while the car is up on the ramps but make sure correct oil is used for each!