[BRG/Blk Cooper S]

HI all,
I have an 05 Cooper and was experiencing all the noises we've seen posted on here in regards to clunks and rough idling etc with the Getrag box.
Over the course of the 4500miles I've driven since purchased the sound of the clutch had gotten worse and had become quite prone to shuddering at take-off regardless of engine revs.
Dealership inspected and happily agreed to replace under warranty.

So, I have the updated clutch assembly and what a difference - the whole drivetrain feels smoother and freer, much more enjoyable to drive, and no shuddering.
There is still a small amount of what could maybe be classed as driveshaft/gearbox bearing noise when the car is idling in neutral with the clutch engaged, but its far less than before and I would say a pretty normal level for a manual transmission.
The clunkiness of the assembly when releasing the clutch is also much improved, not completely gone, but again it's just a mechanical lever and it's smoothness is largely dictated by your technique IMO.

There we have it, if you don't have the improved clutch assembly go and politely bug your dealership until they give in .
If for some reason anything changes with some mileage I'll post again.

Very happy.....the gearbox really feels nice now, here's hoping it stays that way.

Cheers, Geoff.

[russs99]

Thats interesting. I've been into my local dealer 3 times complaining about the clunky gearbox, each time to have someone look at the car and say "it's a design characteristic, there is no fault". I accept that they all do it to some extent but mine seems worse than others, but they are not prepared to do anything, apparently MINI won't even let them order gearboxes/clutches with issues relating to this.

I called customer services but ended up going wrong in circles and being referred back to the dealer.

My concern is that it sounds like something is gradually getting knackered (surely something must be with all the clunking) and that the gearbox will go wrong out of warranty and I will be left to foot a huge bill!

[Widgey]

My '02 is on its second gearbox and clutch (replaced under warranty when it failed spectacularly at 20K miles). I have noticed similar symptoms as Geoff, but my car pulls like a train in all gears despite the noise when neutral is engaged.
I'm not worried by the noise. Should I be?
Fully wound my car shows an indicated 125 mph.
I don't think that's bad for an early ONE. No mods, no nothing!

[BRG/Blk Cooper S]

HI Widgey,
Hope you continue to have good luck with your '02.
This thread however is in regards to the Getrag gearbox and clutch assembly fitted on the facelift models 2005/06 and not the Midlands gearbox that you have which is a different kettle of fish altogether.

Cheers, Geoff.

[damiond]

any idea how to tell which getrag clutch/gearbox you have?
when was this 'updated' one introduced?

[hewland]

Hi drainaudio,

I'm experiencing the same gearbox/driveshaft bearing noise as you on my 2005 Cooper S. I believe it's the clutch bearing. The clattering noise occurs upon startup and when i depress the clutch pedal, it goes away. I also discovered that to replicate the noise, simply let go of the clutch pedal quickly. I do this at standstill of course.

I hv driven other cars with manual transmission and the clattering noise is not unique to the MINI. I don't think the noise is anything to lose sleep over. Have fun MINI-ing!

Tim

Quote: Originally Posted by drainaudio

HI all,
I have an 05 Cooper and was experiencing all the noises we've seen posted on here in regards to clunks and rough idling etc with the Getrag box.
Over the course of the 4500miles I've driven since purchased the sound of the clutch had gotten worse and had become quite prone to shuddering at take-off regardless of engine revs.
Dealership inspected and happily agreed to replace under warranty.

So, I have the updated clutch assembly and what a difference - the whole drivetrain feels smoother and freer, much more enjoyable to drive, and no shuddering.
There is still a small amount of what could maybe be classed as driveshaft/gearbox bearing noise when the car is idling in neutral with the clutch engaged, but its far less than before and I would say a pretty normal level for a manual transmission.
The clunkiness of the assembly when releasing the clutch is also much improved, not completely gone, but again it's just a mechanical lever and it's smoothness is largely dictated by your technique IMO.

There we have it, if you don't have the improved clutch assembly go and politely bug your dealership until they give in .
If for some reason anything changes with some mileage I'll post again.

Very happy.....the gearbox really feels nice now, here's hoping it stays that way.

Cheers, Geoff.

[BRG/Blk Cooper S]

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh..
You try to help people!!
I don't want to sound rude but I don't give 2 hoots about the noises your Cooper S transmission makes - it's not the same gearbox!!!!!!!!

For you 2005/06 Cooper owners out there, I believe the updated clutch assembly was released sometime around the end of 2005 but I can't say for sure.
My dealership told me the information given to them from BMW was fairly recent.

I drove to Germany today so really got to give the Cooper a good run - it's like a different car!!
Whatever they have done to the clutch assembly has resulted in a much smoother drivetrain - it's very noticable.....super happy at the moment!!

Cheers, Geoff

[smc]

whatever noise comes from the gearbox is of no good news, some may tend to live with it for whatever reasons, in my views there should be no noise - mechanically speaking.

[Black_mini_one]

is the midlands gearbox the early rover one?