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Guys, I bought an '02 R50 5-speed about a month and a half ago. Long story short, the car has a vibration under power that is mostly felt in 2nd gear, sometimes in 1st and 3rd, feel it more when it's under load (either cornering or uphill). The Ford dealership I bought the car from replaced the front left axle because the CV boot was slinging grease. The vibration was still there, so I took the car to the local mini dealership and they said that that's a "normal" vibration for '02 mini's. Does anyone else experience this? I can't imagine that this can be considered normal. Any ideas?
We do get a vibration/buzz in the driver's side dash under hard acceleration, but nothing that you really feel that much. Or maybe we're just used to over the last 7 1/2 years.
It is only under hard acceleration, though.
Been that way since new in April '02.
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Greg (aka IowaWRX or IowaM1N1) -- Des Moines, IA & Leawood, KS
Moderator: MINICooperIowa Yahoo Group & KC MINI Enthusiasts message board
Hers = 2002 MC (R50) BRG/White -- Feb '02 build date! (Bought 04/02)
Old His = 2004 MCS (R53) Chili Red/White -- April '04 build date (Bought 11/09, Sold 1/12)
New His = 2011 MCS (R56) Laser Blue/Black -- Oct '10 build date (Bought 1/12)
When my 02 MC started vibrating I had to replace the RIGHT front axle as there was a lot of play in the CV joint. Had about 85K miles at the time. That took care of it and then I sold it.
my MC started vibrating too.
but that was at 57k i think. close to 60k.
turns out, it was my left front axle.
like it would vibrate violently when i accelerat at 50+ mph, si i was like wtffff.
it maybe a MINI thing, but still, what does it take to break a front axle??
I have a whine/vibration in 1st thru 3rd gear, works fine though. We bought the Mini about 6 weeks ago, with the idea that the tranny may be in trouble, but other than noise, there haven't been any issues. I have ruled out the CVs since the sound/vibration goes away as soon as it is in 4th or 5th. I know I have read that the 5spd in the early R50s are a ticking time bomb, and basically will need work long before it should.
SHOW-ME MINIS 
