Hello. I have been thinking about getting a mini-cooper S for the past couple years, and i have decided to pull the trigger and go for it until i found this forum and started researching the mini transmission / clutch issue. Honestly, I would have to say i am now rethinking my decision to buy, so I need some advice on this issue as i am not wanting any of the horror stories I have been reading.

So, in a nutshell: Looking at a 2005 mini S with 6 speed tranny with 38k on the car. Carfax clean, car mint, so pretty much sold on it.

Seems as though the tranny issues are the 5 speeds and the CVT's. I have researched the Getrag tranny and it seems like almost every make / model of car out there has some sort of Getrag transmission, so i feel pretty confident on it.

So, any firm thoughts on the 2005 6-speed transmission? Would love to get the car, but don't want headaches.

Am a minor gear head, have rebuild a few engines in my time and love working on cars, but the tranny issue scares the hell out of me.

Thoughts???

 

You may want to check out the buyer's guides on www.motoringfile.com
They're loaded with valuable information on all the different years and problems associated with each model year. The Getrags have been more reliable than the Midlands, fwiw. The consensus seems to be that the 05/06 model years give you the best MINI for the buck, reliability wise. Don't forget to check for rust underneath the door sill weatherstripping. There's a sticky on it in the first generation MINI section of this forum.

 

You are correct the trans problems tend to be the early 5spd cooper and CVT trans that fail. The 6spd trans is pretty solid. Sometimes they do have flywheel/clutch problems, but not all of them. And heck a clutch job will fix it. I wouldn't be worried about a 6spd S.

 

Way is right...sounds great go for it!

 

sounds like you are on to a good one, go ahead and get to the driving part, let the fun begin.

 

Thank you all for the input! Gonna go take her for a spin tomorrow morning. I appreciate the comments. Ben

 

never had a hint of a tranny or clutch problem on my 02-S (6 spd...they all were) for over 90,000 miles. Ditto my new one ... heck the tranny on my 79 is still good too!

People who have problems .... and a certain percentage of buyers of ANY brand have problems ... look for a venue to vent. This is such a venue.

There have been tongue in cheek attempts to start "no problems with mine" threads but they just aren't that interesting are they?

 

116K miles on my '05 6-speed. Original clutch, no problems!

 

Thanks again! hopefully pictures will be up soon.

 

Welcome aboard and happy motoring!

 

Welcome.....sounds like you want my car!! I'm not selling!!
Just make sure you get a good pre-buy at either a good MINI dealer or a MINI specialist!! Most sellers should have no problem letting you get the car inspected since it shows you are so serious that you are spending some of your own money on it in preparation to buy!!