[minicooperobsessive]

Hello,

I wonder if others can advise me...

I have just taken delivery of an 05 Mini Cooper

I have been quite concerned though with the gear changes. They don't slot into their positions very easily, they have to be pushed in very hard, and then it seems like they will get stuck, though they haven't so far. I don't remember the gears being this hard in my test drive. Is this the feature of a new car, which will ease after a few more miles, or does it sound like a fault?

In addition, the clutch is very heavy. You need to press down on it VERY firmly. Again, a MINI feature, or a possible fault?

I would really appreciate your comments.

THANKS

[Tracie]

Could be just the newness of the car, also the 05 builds have the new gearbox in as well.

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

The new Getrag gearbox in the '05 is very very different to use to the old Midland Gears unit in the pre July '04 car. This includes a notchier change and a heavier clutch.

Do you know if the car you test drove was pre or post face lift?

The quality of the Getrag units seems less consistent than with the old units, so if you are unhappy I suggest that you let your dealer know ASAP and tell them exactly what you've told us. How is the box in selecting reverse?

Tigger.

[laura f]

I'm with tigger on this one... the new gearbox is much notchier and will take a few miles to wear in a bit and loosen up, if once you've done plus 600 and it's still dreadful I'd say have a word with your dealer (mine was beginning to loosen up by then)

[minicooperobsessive]

thanks guys, I have been driving it alot already, and I'm getting used to it, although I admit I'm not loving it.

I test drove the car in September 04 - and I think it was a pre new style gearbox.

Do all gears loosen up over time?

Also any ideas about the clutch? Can the tension be released, or again, is it a time issue?

Really appreciate your advice

[Ooli]

Let it all wear in for a bit. My box was very notchy in the beginning, but having done just over 1000 miles it's a lot easier to shift. Just like the gearbox, the clutch has to wear in as well.

Just take it easy and she'll make it easy for you.

[DeadCanDanceR]

I've been driving mine for two months (2200kms), and the more I drive it the better it feels. The first couple of weeks it felt notchy and a bit hard to shift, but now it just feels so right!

[Olly.]

Quote: Originally Posted by DeadCanDanceR

I've been driving mine for two months (2200kms), and the more I drive it the better it feels. The first couple of weeks it felt notchy and a bit hard to shift, but now it just feels so right!

That pretty much sums it up. My cooper has 6000 miles on it now and the gear change is getting better and better.

I don't remember having to really force it into gear though, might be worth a precautionary trip to the dealers.

Olly

[L13 Cooper]

i remember my 05 box being quite stiff to start with, but ive also got 6000 miles and its great, my clutch was never heavy mind! mention it to the dealer let him test drive it...

[Lawrothegreat]

I find the clutch on my 54 plate (getrag box) nicely weighted - I suppose it depends on how easy the clutch was in your last car.

The gearchange is notchy, but i'm used to it and don't mind too much. After three months and 4300 miles everything feels the same as it did on day one. I actually quite like the gearbox. My only gripe is the smoothness of the car before it is properly warmed up (first 15 minutes of any journey) - not in terms of power delivery but just overall gearchanges with the clutch (and yes I can drive!).

I also find if I stop at lights on adverse camber, the steering wheel takes on its own existence and starts turning all on its own, even though the car isn't moving! - ought to get it checked out.

To be honest, I find overall the car is bang on being right. If you want a smooth silent drive, then why have you bought a mini cooper?!

[RedUn]

Quote: Originally Posted by minicooperobsessive

Hello,

I wonder if others can advise me...

I have just taken delivery of an 05 Mini Cooper

I have been quite concerned though with the gear changes. They don't slot into their positions very easily, they have to be pushed in very hard, and then it seems like they will get stuck, though they haven't so far. I don't remember the gears being this hard in my test drive. Is this the feature of a new car, which will ease after a few more miles, or does it sound like a fault?

In addition, the clutch is very heavy. You need to press down on it VERY firmly. Again, a MINI feature, or a possible fault?

I would really appreciate your comments.

THANKS

what car did u have last?

[minicooperobsessive]

In response to lawrothegreat, and your comment of "If you want a smooth silent drive, then why have you bought a mini cooper?!", I have not said anywhere in my post that I want a smooth silent ride. However, when forking out almost £16000, for what is essentially a very small hatchback, I expect a car (whether it be a MINI or any other make) to drive fairly reasonably, with gears engaging properly on the first attempt.

I am a real devotee of the MINI brand. I, like most others on this site am enthralled by the design and the character of the car, but I know I would not let this obsessive nature dictate to me when a car is actually not driving properly.

I test drove a pre 05 MINI, and I can only compare it to that, and how smooth and refined the whole experience was. I have had several more drives since I first acquired the car, and it could be said that I am "getting used to it". But is that really acceptable, in what (if the case being that this is the 'character' of the car) is most probably a design fault?

I will 'run' the car in for a few hundred more miles and see if the gear engages more easily in the future, and if not I will of course be taking it back to the dealership.

[Olly.]

Yeah I think your right there, you have every right to expect your car to go into gear, no matter how much you have paid for it.

I really think you should stop by at the dealership and get a technician to come out in the car with you and see what they say about it.

Olly

[Lawrothegreat]

Quote: Originally Posted by minicooperobsessive

In response to lawrothegreat, and your comment of "If you want a smooth silent drive, then why have you bought a mini cooper?!", I have not said anywhere in my post that I want a smooth silent ride. However, when forking out almost £16000, for what is essentially a very small hatchback, I expect a car (whether it be a MINI or any other make) to drive fairly reasonably, with gears engaging properly on the first attempt.

I am a real devotee of the MINI brand. I, like most others on this site am enthralled by the design and the character of the car, but I know I would not let this obsessive nature dictate to me when a car is actually not driving properly.

I test drove a pre 05 MINI, and I can only compare it to that, and how smooth and refined the whole experience was. I have had several more drives since I first acquired the car, and it could be said that I am "getting used to it". But is that really acceptable, in what (if the case being that this is the 'character' of the car) is most probably a design fault?

I will 'run' the car in for a few hundred more miles and see if the gear engages more easily in the future, and if not I will of course be taking it back to the dealership.

Oops. Only you know how your car feels - and if instinctively you think something is wrong - it probably is.

My comment was only meant to be lightly humorous, and noting the fact the mini is a more engaging drive than other cars.

[minicooperobsessive]

No offence taken on my account. I'm genuinely grateful for any comments/advice. I do agree though that you instinctively know if there is a problem. The clutch is fine now, but there is still definitely something wrong with getting the car into first gear. Other than that, I am more than happy with it.

[pocketrocketowner]

Your clutch is hydraulic, it should not be hard. Period. First or top should engage evenly and smoothly. If in doubt, take it in. No use driving a clutch into smithereens for the dealer to tell you "well, it isn't our fault......" Like you said....you paid good money for it, it has a warranty, use it.
Hope this helps....

[SF2001]

Here are my thoughts on the subject:
I collected my Mini Cooper in late January 2005. It has now done 1900 miles, but I still find the gearchange rather noisy and sticky. I took it back to the dealers last week for this to be checked, but they decided that it was consistent with all other Mini Coopers they sell. They all do that sir etc...

I can only say that the 54 reg Mini Cooper I hired in October last year for the weekend (2005 model) had a lovely smooth gearbox. It had covered about 2500 miles from new according to the guage. I was completely happy with it, despite driving the car more than 300 miles on a trip to the Isle of Skye. No noise or obstructive movement, just a satisfying gearchange with a very positive feel.

However, I can easily hear my gears change, there is a mechanical sound as it moves across the gate. It also feels a bit random in it's smoothness. Generally feels a bit clunky!

I am beginning to accept this as part of the character of my car, but I do feel a bit disappointed with the gearchange. Apart from that, it's lovely. Fits like a glove to drive, with an incredibly comfy driving position and lovely direct steering.

I can only say that I think the Getrag gearbox is very variable. We would have our work cut out to get the dealers to accept this though... I just hope it loosens up and quietens down in time

[laura f]

Quote: Originally Posted by SF2001

I can only say that I think the Getrag gearbox is very variable. We would have our work cut out to get the dealers to accept this though... I just hope it loosens up and quietens down in time

if it's any consolation it does seem to sort it self out as it wears in.... at 5k miles almost the bad parts ie the clunkyness & noise have lessened at massive amount

it's now smoother, quieter, without the "chattering" noise and doesn't clunk so much, hang in there

[Kaelaria]

My week old '05 is butter smooth - there is a definite notch into each gear, but it's easily shifted with one finger, and the clutch is very smooth.