MINI2

mph1703 · Oct 5th, 2007, 05:26 PM

Hi everyone,

I have recently become the proud owner of a March 2003 blue Mini Cooper with 21,000 miles on the clock and a union jack on the roof. It is the first Mini I have owned since a 1976 pea green Mini I owned 20 years ago. I love my return to Minis and although the old and new Minis are very different beasts they are definitely similarities. In particular they are both fun to drive.

I have been having a look around this forum to acquaint myself with the new Mini and it is a mine of information. However, I am concerned about what I read about the unreliability of the Midland gearbox. Every time, I go out in my Mini now I half expect the gearbox to conk out! I therefore have a couple of questions:

1. What is the highest mileage that any Mini has reached on the original Midland Box?

2. What is the approximate cost of a new gearbox?

3. I have had a look on the Internet and it seems that it is possible to get a warranty for around £150.00 from Warranty Direct that covers the gearbox. Do people think this is good value?

Cheers,

Mark

mab01uk · Oct 5th, 2007, 10:38 PM

Don't worry too much, remember you mainly hear of problems on car forums, out of the thousands of MINIs sold with this gearbox far fewer people would ever bother to post to say they have had no problems with it. Its a bit like you don't get that much good news on the TV news or in newspapers !

Welcome back to Minis, I have had classic Minis for 30 years and still have two in my garage I only occasionally use because the new one is such fun to drive.

wincakes · Oct 5th, 2007, 11:43 PM

Welcome To MINI2!!!!

DeadCanDanceR · Oct 10th, 2007, 06:13 AM

Welcome to MINI2!!!

Tigger, Eeyore & Roo · Nov 12th, 2007, 12:29 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by mph1703 (original)

I have had a look on the Internet and it seems that it is possible to get a warranty for around £150.00 from Warranty Direct that covers the gearbox. Do people think this is good value?

Provided that the cover is pretty comprehensive then that's very good value for money. Try comparing that with the price that BMW charge for an extended warranty and, the last time I checked, the Warranty Direct cover was actually better!

Tigger.

oldnell · Nov 13th, 2007, 07:14 PM

My Jan 2003 Mini One is currently on about 84000 miles and the gearbox has never been changed. The gearbox is still perfect.

I would probably still get a warranty if possible, if anything to cover the power steering pump (which is also known to be a weak-spot).

Oli

Oct 5th, 2007, 05:26 PM	#1
mph1703 MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Oct 2007 Local Time: 08:47 AM Posts: 18 Offline	20 years without a MINI Hi everyone, I have recently become the proud owner of a March 2003 blue Mini Cooper with 21,000 miles on the clock and a union jack on the roof. It is the first Mini I have owned since a 1976 pea green Mini I owned 20 years ago. I love my return to Minis and although the old and new Minis are very different beasts they are definitely similarities. In particular they are both fun to drive. I have been having a look around this forum to acquaint myself with the new Mini and it is a mine of information. However, I am concerned about what I read about the unreliability of the Midland gearbox. Every time, I go out in my Mini now I half expect the gearbox to conk out! I therefore have a couple of questions: 1. What is the highest mileage that any Mini has reached on the original Midland Box? 2. What is the approximate cost of a new gearbox? 3. I have had a look on the Internet and it seems that it is possible to get a warranty for around £150.00 from Warranty Direct that covers the gearbox. Do people think this is good value? Cheers, Mark

Oct 5th, 2007, 11:43 PM	#3 (permalink)
wincakes LOONEY!! My Classifieds Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: yorkshire Local Time: 08:47 AM Posts: 2,757 Offline	Welcome To MINI2!!!! ALTHOUGH SHE NEEDS A BIT OF GUIDANCE, LESLEY WILL BE MY BIATCH FOR NOW...!

Oct 10th, 2007, 06:13 AM	#4 (permalink)
DeadCanDanceR ...viva MINI...!!! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Guadalajara, México Local Time: 02:47 AM Posts: 18,897 Offline	Welcome to MINI2!!! DeadCanDanceR

Nov 12th, 2007, 12:29 PM	#5 (permalink)
Tigger, Eeyore & Roo May '08: Bye bye Mini2... My Classifieds Join Date: May 2004 Location: Kernow, near England Local Time: 08:47 AM Posts: 4,396 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by mph1703 (original) I have had a look on the Internet and it seems that it is possible to get a warranty for around £150.00 from Warranty Direct that covers the gearbox. Do people think this is good value? Provided that the cover is pretty comprehensive then that's very good value for money. Try comparing that with the price that BMW charge for an extended warranty and, the last time I checked, the Warranty Direct cover was actually better! Tigger. May '08: Due to certain recent events on this site, I no longer wish to continue posting on Mini2. Such a shame after 4 otherwise very happy years on here If you are a friend, I can always be contacted here!

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Oct 5th, 2007, 10:38 PM	#2 (permalink)
mab01uk MINI2 Senior Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: London Local Time: 08:47 AM Posts: 549 Offline	Don't worry too much, remember you mainly hear of problems on car forums, out of the thousands of MINIs sold with this gearbox far fewer people would ever bother to post to say they have had no problems with it. Its a bit like you don't get that much good news on the TV news or in newspapers ! Welcome back to Minis, I have had classic Minis for 30 years and still have two in my garage I only occasionally use because the new one is such fun to drive.

Nov 13th, 2007, 07:14 PM	#6 (permalink)
oldnell MINI2 Master My Classifieds Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Gloucester Local Time: 08:47 AM Posts: 1,030 Offline	My Jan 2003 Mini One is currently on about 84000 miles and the gearbox has never been changed. The gearbox is still perfect. I would probably still get a warranty if possible, if anything to cover the power steering pump (which is also known to be a weak-spot). Oli

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