MINI2

cct1 · Jul 22nd, 2004, 02:27 PM

Has anyone had the chance to compare the 2005 manual (are the new 2005's coming with the new getrag 5 speed, or is that coming after January?) with the new getrag setup to the 2004 setup directly? I drove a 2004, and absolutely loved the way it shifted, and how forgiving the clutch was--for me, it was smoother and easier to shift than the 2004 S. I'm wondering if the new manual is closer to the S, or to the old 2004 base.

McCasper · Jul 22nd, 2004, 02:42 PM

That's a great question that I would also like to know. When I drove the 04 Cooper, I had a very easy time of it even though I hadn't driven a stick in quite a while. The 04 Cooper S felt much tighter and much less forgiving. I did stall, only once, and felt like a real newbie with a stick! The reverse position on the S was also really weird to get used to. Looking forward to any answers.

robfenn · Jul 22nd, 2004, 03:02 PM

Wasn't the new box in with the facelift then?

I have driven a 2002 Cooper and the gearchange was ok.. nothing special. The clutch is bound to be easier than in the S..

-Rob

afromanbob · Jul 24th, 2004, 09:17 AM

I'd like to hear some opinions, too.

lattehiatus · Jul 27th, 2004, 07:42 AM

There appears to be no comparison of the '02-'04 and '05 trannies from anyone who's received an '05 MC...

Probably because they're too busy outside driving to respond here at M2!

Please, if you own an '05 MC and have driven a pre-'05 MC, give us your thoughts. Thanks much in advance!

devilsushi2000 · Jul 27th, 2004, 08:48 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by lattehiatus

There appears to be no comparison of the '02-'04 and '05 trannies from anyone who's received an '05 MC...

Probably because they're too busy outside driving to respond here at M2!

Please, if you own an '05 MC and have driven a pre-'05 MC, give us your thoughts. Thanks much in advance!

Agreed

scooby · Jul 27th, 2004, 06:12 PM

kimd · Jul 29th, 2004, 10:35 AM

The new getrag 5 speed is on my MCC and it's fantastic in comparison to my 2002 MC! Sorry - can't hang around here - got to get out and do some gear changing...

ianw12345 · Jul 29th, 2004, 10:40 AM

my 05 feels alot smoother than the 04 i test drove prior to buying a cooper, thats bout it, feels more responsive in lower gears too, also seems to go into 1st easier than the one i test drove. keep you posted

Ezzer · Jul 30th, 2004, 03:57 PM

Just had my 2001 Cooper gearbox replaced. Dealer said they would put in a new Getrag one.... not sure if they did but within the initial 1000km, it feels less heavy than the old one with 9000km. Changes are definately smoother but overall not really much difference at all, which is nice!

devilsushi2000 · Jul 30th, 2004, 03:59 PM

Hmmm interesting

robfenn · Aug 3rd, 2004, 03:19 PM

Everyone in a pre-2004 cars should get breaking their 'boxes then!

Ezzer · Aug 4th, 2004, 10:08 AM

1500km now and getting even smoother.... so they must have changed the gearbox make on my car! Although as I said, it otherwise feels very similar to before, just much easier to engage for example 2nd. Very nice indeed.

But I won't recommend breaking the boxes! 1000km away from home on Le Mans weekend, 2nd will not sychronize, 4 months out of warrenty... it was all a bit unnerving and annoying (meant to be enjoying Le Mans instead, if you know what I mean..). BMW MINI did change it in the end down to know Rover gearbox problems... but didn't come easy.

lightbody · Aug 4th, 2004, 09:36 PM

I just have to say that the gearbox and gearchange in my 2001 Cooper have been SUPERB - I really can't fault it at all - quick, easy, light and smooth to use.... and that from someone who previously owned an MX-5 which has one of the best gearshifts ever!

Having said that, my '2005' Cooper arrives next month - the lower ratios definitely interest me.

oilman930 · Aug 8th, 2004, 07:07 PM

The biggest change that people will notice is that reversed is now syncronized on the "new" Cooper gearbox. The gearbox really isn't new, since it's been used on various Ford Focus and Mondeo's for years. I'm wonder if there is still going to be a "lift to reverse collar ring" on the gearshift now.

scooby · Aug 8th, 2004, 09:42 PM

miniwilly · Aug 8th, 2004, 09:45 PM

10 whole seconds, clutch down? Are you kidding?

Can't be right!

afromanbob · Aug 9th, 2004, 04:24 AM

What....? I don't understand why?

cct1 · Aug 9th, 2004, 02:04 PM

I have never heard of that before, and test driving the Cooper, I had absolutely no problem getting it into reverse whatsoever (although having never driven a 6 speed before, the position of reverse on the MC S did slow me down the first time I used it--but after using it once, I was fine with it).

If you have to wait ten seconds with the clutch depressed, either there's something wrong with your Cooper, or you're not getting it all the way into gear. Having driven sticks off and on for years, I was amazed at how easy and smoothly the Cooper shifts. I hadn't driven a stick in 6 years, but when I drove the Cooper and Cooper S, I never ground the gears once in any gear, and I had to consciously try to make the Cooper lurch with gear shifting--the Cooper Manual shifts smoother than an ordinary automatic with a minimum of effort IMHO (haven't driven a CVT though). The Cooper S is another matter; it's a little bit less forgiving with shifting and the clutch, but still very easy to drive.

Jul 22nd, 2004, 02:27 PM	#1
cct1 MINI2 Regular Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Wisconsin Local Time: 08:21 PM Posts: 337 Offline	2004 versus 2005 Manual Has anyone had the chance to compare the 2005 manual (are the new 2005's coming with the new getrag 5 speed, or is that coming after January?) with the new getrag setup to the 2004 setup directly? I drove a 2004, and absolutely loved the way it shifted, and how forgiving the clutch was--for me, it was smoother and easier to shift than the 2004 S. I'm wondering if the new manual is closer to the S, or to the old 2004 base.

Jul 24th, 2004, 09:17 AM	#4 (permalink)
afromanbob MINI Owner! Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: California Local Time: 06:21 PM Posts: 417 Offline	I'd like to hear some opinions, too. Let's Motor!

Jul 27th, 2004, 06:12 PM	#7 (permalink)
scooby MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Gloucester Local Time: 02:21 AM Posts: 31 Offline	Last edited by scooby : Jul 27th, 2004 at 08:41 PM.

Jul 29th, 2004, 10:35 AM	#8 (permalink)
kimd MINI2 Regular Join Date: Feb 2004 Local Time: 01:21 AM Posts: 95 Offline	The new getrag 5 speed is on my MCC and it's fantastic in comparison to my 2002 MC! Sorry - can't hang around here - got to get out and do some gear changing... MCC Astro Black, collected 21 July , all is well (alarm has not false alarmed since 15 December 2004!)

Aug 8th, 2004, 09:42 PM	#16 (permalink)
scooby MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Gloucester Local Time: 02:21 AM Posts: 31 Offline	Last edited by scooby : Aug 10th, 2004 at 05:36 PM.

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Jul 22nd, 2004, 02:42 PM	#2 (permalink)
McCasper MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Orlando, Florida Local Time: 08:21 PM Posts: 23 Offline	That's a great question that I would also like to know. When I drove the 04 Cooper, I had a very easy time of it even though I hadn't driven a stick in quite a while. The 04 Cooper S felt much tighter and much less forgiving. I did stall, only once, and felt like a real newbie with a stick! The reverse position on the S was also really weird to get used to. Looking forward to any answers.

Jul 22nd, 2004, 03:02 PM	#3 (permalink)
robfenn MINI2 Senior Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: London/Kent Local Time: 01:21 AM Posts: 417 Offline	Wasn't the new box in with the facelift then? I have driven a 2002 Cooper and the gearchange was ok.. nothing special. The clutch is bound to be easier than in the S.. -Rob

Jul 27th, 2004, 07:42 AM	#5 (permalink)
lattehiatus Dances with Kangaroos Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Berkeley, CA Local Time: 05:21 PM Posts: 39 Offline	There appears to be no comparison of the '02-'04 and '05 trannies from anyone who's received an '05 MC... Probably because they're too busy outside driving to respond here at M2! Please, if you own an '05 MC and have driven a pre-'05 MC, give us your thoughts. Thanks much in advance!

Jul 27th, 2004, 08:48 AM	#6 (permalink)
devilsushi2000 In Barbados until 1st Sep Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Berkshire - UK Local Time: 01:21 AM Posts: 888 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by lattehiatus There appears to be no comparison of the '02-'04 and '05 trannies from anyone who's received an '05 MC... Probably because they're too busy outside driving to respond here at M2! Please, if you own an '05 MC and have driven a pre-'05 MC, give us your thoughts. Thanks much in advance! Agreed

Jul 29th, 2004, 10:40 AM	#9 (permalink)
ianw12345 Cooper boy! My Classifieds Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Cardiff, Wales Local Time: 01:21 AM Posts: 259 Offline	my 05 feels alot smoother than the 04 i test drove prior to buying a cooper, thats bout it, feels more responsive in lower gears too, also seems to go into 1st easier than the one i test drove. keep you posted

Jul 30th, 2004, 03:57 PM	#10 (permalink)
Ezzer MINI2 Regular Join Date: Feb 2003 Local Time: 02:21 AM Posts: 143 Offline	Just had my 2001 Cooper gearbox replaced. Dealer said they would put in a new Getrag one.... not sure if they did but within the initial 1000km, it feels less heavy than the old one with 9000km. Changes are definately smoother but overall not really much difference at all, which is nice!

Jul 30th, 2004, 03:59 PM	#11 (permalink)
devilsushi2000 In Barbados until 1st Sep Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Berkshire - UK Local Time: 01:21 AM Posts: 888 Offline	Hmmm interesting

Aug 3rd, 2004, 03:19 PM	#12 (permalink)
robfenn MINI2 Senior Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: London/Kent Local Time: 01:21 AM Posts: 417 Offline	Everyone in a pre-2004 cars should get breaking their 'boxes then!

Aug 4th, 2004, 10:08 AM	#13 (permalink)
Ezzer MINI2 Regular Join Date: Feb 2003 Local Time: 02:21 AM Posts: 143 Offline	1500km now and getting even smoother.... so they must have changed the gearbox make on my car! Although as I said, it otherwise feels very similar to before, just much easier to engage for example 2nd. Very nice indeed. But I won't recommend breaking the boxes! 1000km away from home on Le Mans weekend, 2nd will not sychronize, 4 months out of warrenty... it was all a bit unnerving and annoying (meant to be enjoying Le Mans instead, if you know what I mean..). BMW MINI did change it in the end down to know Rover gearbox problems... but didn't come easy.

Aug 4th, 2004, 09:36 PM	#14 (permalink)
lightbody MINI2 Master Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Glasgow, Scotland Local Time: 02:21 AM Posts: 897 Offline	I just have to say that the gearbox and gearchange in my 2001 Cooper have been SUPERB - I really can't fault it at all - quick, easy, light and smooth to use.... and that from someone who previously owned an MX-5 which has one of the best gearshifts ever! Having said that, my '2005' Cooper arrives next month - the lower ratios definitely interest me.

Aug 8th, 2004, 07:07 PM	#15 (permalink)
oilman930 MINI2 Regular Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Philadelphia,PA Local Time: 08:21 PM Posts: 72 Offline	The biggest change that people will notice is that reversed is now syncronized on the "new" Cooper gearbox. The gearbox really isn't new, since it's been used on various Ford Focus and Mondeo's for years. I'm wonder if there is still going to be a "lift to reverse collar ring" on the gearshift now.

Aug 8th, 2004, 09:45 PM	#17 (permalink)
miniwilly MINI2 Regular Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Maidenhead, UK Local Time: 02:21 AM Posts: 108 Offline	10 whole seconds, clutch down? Are you kidding? Can't be right!

Aug 9th, 2004, 04:24 AM	#18 (permalink)
afromanbob MINI Owner! Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: California Local Time: 06:21 PM Posts: 417 Offline	What....? I don't understand why? Let's Motor!

Aug 9th, 2004, 02:04 PM	#19 (permalink)
cct1 MINI2 Regular Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Wisconsin Local Time: 08:21 PM Posts: 337 Offline	I have never heard of that before, and test driving the Cooper, I had absolutely no problem getting it into reverse whatsoever (although having never driven a 6 speed before, the position of reverse on the MC S did slow me down the first time I used it--but after using it once, I was fine with it). If you have to wait ten seconds with the clutch depressed, either there's something wrong with your Cooper, or you're not getting it all the way into gear. Having driven sticks off and on for years, I was amazed at how easy and smoothly the Cooper shifts. I hadn't driven a stick in 6 years, but when I drove the Cooper and Cooper S, I never ground the gears once in any gear, and I had to consciously try to make the Cooper lurch with gear shifting--the Cooper Manual shifts smoother than an ordinary automatic with a minimum of effort IMHO (haven't driven a CVT though). The Cooper S is another matter; it's a little bit less forgiving with shifting and the clutch, but still very easy to drive.

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