MINI2

Apial · Feb 8th, 2002, 01:24 PM

I was browsing the new Evo mag out today. In it is a running report on the Works Cooper. Things are not going well. They have suffered the flat battery problem caused by the single CD player and the synchro has gone on second gear! A new gearbox had to be ordered and they have had problems getting hold of one.

Sorry I can't remember the whole story as when I went back to buy it they were all sold out.

BruceK · Feb 8th, 2002, 01:46 PM

You don't write the sensational headlines for Fleet Street, do you?

It seems a little misleading to say "Evo Staff Works Cooper broken down!" when neither of the two problems you mentioned seems to be related to the JCW coversion. I suppose you might blame the gearbox problem on the higher output of the JCW engine, but that would just be a guess, wouldn't it? Did EVO place blame in the article?

rich · Feb 9th, 2002, 02:23 AM

I wasn't misled Bruce - My first reaction to the title was not that the break down was caused by the JCW conversion

...2c

Racer · Feb 9th, 2002, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BruceK
You don't write the sensational headlines for Fleet Street, do you?

It seems a little misleading to say "Evo Staff Works Cooper broken down!" when neither of the two problems you mentioned seems to be related to the JCW coversion. I suppose you might blame the gearbox problem on the higher output of the JCW engine, but that would just be a guess, wouldn't it? Did EVO place blame in the article?

They didn't apportion any blame in the article - only saying that the problem appeared to be a lack of syncromesh on second but had come on acutely rather than over time as you may expect with a synchro prob. Engaging the clutch made it a whole lot worse so they thought it may be that - Investigations were ongoing - Apparently the synchro ring had cracked

Apial · Feb 9th, 2002, 04:36 AM

They did question as to if the higher engine output was responsible. The Cooper is fitted with an ecu controlled 1st and 2nd gear torque limiter to prevent damage. The Cooper S is fitted with a stronger 6 speed Gretag 'box. They thought that extra power should not have caused the damage due to the torque limiter system.

Investigation is still going on, but a cracked synchro ring has been found. This could have been faulty from manufacture or could have been damaged as a secondary effect. I'm sure electronics systems wil be investigated too.

Critics of owners with MINI problems try to claim that they are only a small minority who do not represent the true picture. It just goes to show that even journalists get the same sort of problems as some of the rest of us, proving that MINIs with problems are not such a small minority as some would like to believe.

The EVO photo of the MINI with the bonnet up and broken down on a remote desolate road was uncannily like the day that I drove home with my new MINI and started the "Lemon Adventure". Only the steam was missing.

The title of this posting is accurate. The car is a Cooper Works, it did break down (2 seperate reasons), and it is an EVO magazines long term test car. If I had the full article I could tell you more. There were other issues mentioned, such as parts availability, customer service, and loan cars. If anyone has the article perhaps they would like to contribute further.

Racer · Feb 9th, 2002, 05:37 AM

I do have the full article and am a long term EVO subscriber - As such I would comment that they are particularly hard and harsh on their cars - They share them around the office take them on many a 'thrash' and if you read it regualrly you find that the MINI is no different to all the other staff cars - regularly to be found in the garage - having something broken - being complained about

After all this is what motoring journalists are there to do push the reasonable limits of physical and ergonomics of the cars we have to drive longer term

smiffy · Feb 9th, 2002, 12:49 PM

Is this the LATEST Evo mag

If so im off to the shops

Racer · Feb 9th, 2002, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by smiffy
Is this the LATEST Evo mag
If so im off to the shops

March edition - Has Cooper S vs FocusST170

rich · Feb 9th, 2002, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Racer

March edition - Has Cooper S vs FocusST170

That's gonna be very interesting to read

Presumably other car mags (e.g. Car) will be getting a test car for March issue too

Anyone know any more?

Racer · Feb 10th, 2002, 03:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by rich

That's gonna be very interesting to read

Presumably other car mags (e.g. Car) will be getting a test car for March issue too

Anyone know any more?

Strangely March Car is bereft of MINI unless I am missing them ! -

smiffy · Feb 10th, 2002, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Racer

March edition - Has Cooper S vs FocusST170

Im off to the shops

AndyW · Feb 10th, 2002, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by smiffy

Im off to the shops

Don't get too excited Smiffy - the Evo article isn't a test drive, just static shots of the 2 cars and info on the engineering, same as last Wednesday's Autocar.

Andy

Apial · Feb 13th, 2002, 01:42 PM

I have now got a copy of EVO.

It seems that the EVO car bears remarkable similarities to the experiences I have had.

They mention a broken windscreen. My loaned MINI had a broken windscreen just in front of the drivers side running horizontally. Next my replacement MINI did the same in the same place. Dogger also reported his windscreen breaking with no obvious cause.There may be a pattern developing here.

The drivers seat base had gone wrong too. So had mine.

They also were given a base Nova. So was I. Where do they find all these Novas from?

Parts supply problems. Yes another common problem. It took 28 days to get a gearbox. It took me 42 days to get a headlamp.

Evo didn't get an overheated engine like I did but got a cracked synchro ring, a battery flattening single cd player, and a window that will not auto dip when being opened. Of course the power from the JCW can not have caused these problems.

I don't think you can blame hard driving either.

smiffy · Feb 14th, 2002, 02:17 PM

Why did the replacement gearbox have to come from Germany

Silverstone · Feb 15th, 2002, 02:29 AM

I suspect EVO have been doing full throttle shifts from 1st to 2nd gear - this makes for very quick shifts if you can do it, but absolutely knackers the synchro.

The synchros on MINI have been uprated to double cones compared to the Rover equivalent - that's why the shift is so slick.

Feb 8th, 2002, 01:24 PM	#1
Apial MINI2 Master Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Lincolnshire Wolds Local Time: 07:21 AM Posts: 825 Offline	Evo Staff Works Cooper broken down! I was browsing the new Evo mag out today. In it is a running report on the Works Cooper. Things are not going well. They have suffered the flat battery problem caused by the single CD player and the synchro has gone on second gear! A new gearbox had to be ordered and they have had problems getting hold of one. Sorry I can't remember the whole story as when I went back to buy it they were all sold out. Balloons? http://www.loony-balloony.co.uk

Feb 8th, 2002, 01:46 PM	#2 (permalink)
BruceK Moderator & Sponsor Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: San Antonio, Texas Local Time: 01:21 AM Posts: 3,759 Offline	You don't write the sensational headlines for Fleet Street, do you? It seems a little misleading to say "Evo Staff Works Cooper broken down!" when neither of the two problems you mentioned seems to be related to the JCW coversion. I suppose you might blame the gearbox problem on the higher output of the JCW engine, but that would just be a guess, wouldn't it? Did EVO place blame in the article? + 2002 MINI Cooper S - Dark Silver / White roof, Sport, Premium, Lapis blue leather + 1965 Mini Traveller - Tartan Red / White roof, 1275, Cooper S discs, fully restored/renewed

Feb 9th, 2002, 02:38 AM	#4 (permalink)
Racer Sponsor,Moderator & Racer Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Kent Local Time: 08:21 AM Posts: 1,373 Offline	Quote: Originally posted by BruceK You don't write the sensational headlines for Fleet Street, do you? It seems a little misleading to say "Evo Staff Works Cooper broken down!" when neither of the two problems you mentioned seems to be related to the JCW coversion. I suppose you might blame the gearbox problem on the higher output of the JCW engine, but that would just be a guess, wouldn't it? Did EVO place blame in the article? They didn't apportion any blame in the article - only saying that the problem appeared to be a lack of syncromesh on second but had come on acutely rather than over time as you may expect with a synchro prob. Engaging the clutch made it a whole lot worse so they thought it may be that - Investigations were ongoing - Apparently the synchro ring had cracked JCW Club Sport Kawasaki Green / White Unofficial John Cooper Challenge Site Last edited by Racer : Feb 9th, 2002 at 02:43 AM.

Feb 9th, 2002, 04:36 AM	#5 (permalink)
Apial MINI2 Master Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Lincolnshire Wolds Local Time: 07:21 AM Posts: 825 Offline	Re: Evo Staff Works Cooper broken down! They did question as to if the higher engine output was responsible. The Cooper is fitted with an ecu controlled 1st and 2nd gear torque limiter to prevent damage. The Cooper S is fitted with a stronger 6 speed Gretag 'box. They thought that extra power should not have caused the damage due to the torque limiter system. Investigation is still going on, but a cracked synchro ring has been found. This could have been faulty from manufacture or could have been damaged as a secondary effect. I'm sure electronics systems wil be investigated too. Critics of owners with MINI problems try to claim that they are only a small minority who do not represent the true picture. It just goes to show that even journalists get the same sort of problems as some of the rest of us, proving that MINIs with problems are not such a small minority as some would like to believe. The EVO photo of the MINI with the bonnet up and broken down on a remote desolate road was uncannily like the day that I drove home with my new MINI and started the "Lemon Adventure". Only the steam was missing. The title of this posting is accurate. The car is a Cooper Works, it did break down (2 seperate reasons), and it is an EVO magazines long term test car. If I had the full article I could tell you more. There were other issues mentioned, such as parts availability, customer service, and loan cars. If anyone has the article perhaps they would like to contribute further. Balloons? http://www.loony-balloony.co.uk Last edited by Apial : Feb 9th, 2002 at 04:50 AM.

Feb 9th, 2002, 05:37 AM	#6 (permalink)
Racer Sponsor,Moderator & Racer Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Kent Local Time: 08:21 AM Posts: 1,373 Offline	I do have the full article and am a long term EVO subscriber - As such I would comment that they are particularly hard and harsh on their cars - They share them around the office take them on many a 'thrash' and if you read it regualrly you find that the MINI is no different to all the other staff cars - regularly to be found in the garage - having something broken - being complained about After all this is what motoring journalists are there to do push the reasonable limits of physical and ergonomics of the cars we have to drive longer term JCW Club Sport Kawasaki Green / White Unofficial John Cooper Challenge Site

MINI2

Fuel for your MINI obsession

Discussions concerning MINIs with John Cooper Works or Works GP Tuning Kits

Today
Sponsors	Sponsored Links Registered members do not see Google Ads posts, they can also post messages, pictures, and classified adverts. Register your free account today and become a member of MINI2 - MINI Forum

Feb 9th, 2002, 02:23 AM	#3 (permalink)
rich MINI2 Master Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Sydney, Australia Local Time: 05:21 PM Posts: 1,586 Offline	I wasn't misled Bruce - My first reaction to the title was not that the break down was caused by the JCW conversion ...2c

Feb 9th, 2002, 12:49 PM	#7 (permalink)
smiffy MINI2 Master Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Here Local Time: 07:21 AM Posts: 5,778 Offline	Is this the LATEST Evo mag If so im off to the shops S for Smiffy "Kids in the front seat cause accidents, accidents in the backseat cause kids!"

Feb 9th, 2002, 01:14 PM	#8 (permalink)
Racer Sponsor,Moderator & Racer Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Kent Local Time: 08:21 AM Posts: 1,373 Offline	Quote: Originally posted by smiffy Is this the LATEST Evo mag If so im off to the shops March edition - Has Cooper S vs FocusST170 JCW Club Sport Kawasaki Green / White Unofficial John Cooper Challenge Site

Feb 9th, 2002, 06:43 PM	#9 (permalink)
rich MINI2 Master Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Sydney, Australia Local Time: 05:21 PM Posts: 1,586 Offline	At last some real news on the S...maybe Quote: Originally posted by Racer March edition - Has Cooper S vs FocusST170 That's gonna be very interesting to read Presumably other car mags (e.g. Car) will be getting a test car for March issue too Anyone know any more?

Feb 10th, 2002, 03:13 AM	#10 (permalink)
Racer Sponsor,Moderator & Racer Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Kent Local Time: 08:21 AM Posts: 1,373 Offline	Re: At last some real news on the S...maybe Quote: Originally posted by rich That's gonna be very interesting to read Presumably other car mags (e.g. Car) will be getting a test car for March issue too Anyone know any more? Strangely March Car is bereft of MINI unless I am missing them ! - JCW Club Sport Kawasaki Green / White Unofficial John Cooper Challenge Site

Feb 10th, 2002, 01:42 PM	#11 (permalink)
smiffy MINI2 Master Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Here Local Time: 07:21 AM Posts: 5,778 Offline	Quote: Originally posted by Racer March edition - Has Cooper S vs FocusST170 Im off to the shops S for Smiffy "Kids in the front seat cause accidents, accidents in the backseat cause kids!"

Feb 10th, 2002, 02:30 PM	#12 (permalink)
AndyW Ex-Mini2 Racer & Sponsor Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Surrey Local Time: 07:21 AM Posts: 568 Offline	Quote: Originally posted by smiffy Im off to the shops Don't get too excited Smiffy - the Evo article isn't a test drive, just static shots of the 2 cars and info on the engineering, same as last Wednesday's Autocar. Andy

Feb 13th, 2002, 01:42 PM	#13 (permalink)
Apial MINI2 Master Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Lincolnshire Wolds Local Time: 07:21 AM Posts: 825 Offline	I have now got a copy of EVO. It seems that the EVO car bears remarkable similarities to the experiences I have had. They mention a broken windscreen. My loaned MINI had a broken windscreen just in front of the drivers side running horizontally. Next my replacement MINI did the same in the same place. Dogger also reported his windscreen breaking with no obvious cause.There may be a pattern developing here. The drivers seat base had gone wrong too. So had mine. They also were given a base Nova. So was I. Where do they find all these Novas from? Parts supply problems. Yes another common problem. It took 28 days to get a gearbox. It took me 42 days to get a headlamp. Evo didn't get an overheated engine like I did but got a cracked synchro ring, a battery flattening single cd player, and a window that will not auto dip when being opened. Of course the power from the JCW can not have caused these problems. I don't think you can blame hard driving either. Balloons? http://www.loony-balloony.co.uk

Feb 14th, 2002, 02:17 PM	#14 (permalink)
smiffy MINI2 Master Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Here Local Time: 07:21 AM Posts: 5,778 Offline	Why did the replacement gearbox have to come from Germany S for Smiffy "Kids in the front seat cause accidents, accidents in the backseat cause kids!"

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Feb 15th, 2002, 02:29 AM	#15 (permalink)
Silverstone MINI2 Regular Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Silverstone Local Time: 07:21 AM Posts: 156 Offline	Broken Synchro I suspect EVO have been doing full throttle shifts from 1st to 2nd gear - this makes for very quick shifts if you can do it, but absolutely knackers the synchro. The synchros on MINI have been uprated to double cones compared to the Rover equivalent - that's why the shift is so slick. Cooper Chili - Silk Green & Black, Climate Contol, Heated Jets, ASC+T, Alarm Arrived Nov 30 - Love it to bits

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Works GP 0013 in NEW EVO mag test	Tonyt3	MINI in the Media	1	Aug 4th, 2006 08:47 PM
280bhp John Cooper Works driven by EVO magazine	Tonyt3	John Cooper Works & GP	20	Feb 13th, 2006 09:17 PM
Works GP article in EVO magazine...	Tonyt3	MINI in the Media	2	Dec 7th, 2005 08:35 PM
NEW: EVO magazine test drive new Cooper S Works 210bhp	Tonyt3	John Cooper Works & GP	27	Oct 31st, 2004 05:11 AM
EVO Trades in S for Works	Shaun	John Cooper Works & GP	6	Mar 2nd, 2004 06:29 PM