Who here has blown their Midlands?
But, just know its goin!
2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: Anderson, SC, USA
The thing that concerns me about the 6 speed swap is the extra 40 lb on one corner of the car. If I could a)afford and b) find the parts reasonalbly priced I would be in favor of going with the 5 speed Getrag.
Banned
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,299
Likes: 0
From: Tejas
I have the write-up done, but it's under embargo for a future article in a future publication... 
If you want a PDF version in the meantime, just PM me!
Here's the basic parts list, not including the tranny, obviously... You may be able to re-use some parts on your car (e.g. the shifter lug) and some parts may be attached to the tranny you source. Also, if you get used output shafts, you will not need the dustcovers - I'd definitely get the lock ring, though.
Transmission Swap OEM Parts List
31-60-7-514-480 Output Shaft – Right (Passenger side)
31-60-7-514-479 Output Shaft – Left (Driver side)
31-60-7-518-257 Dustcover (qty. 2)
31-60-7-518-262 Dustcover
31-60-7-518-264 Lock Ring
31-10-6-773-005 Hex Nut (for output shafts, qty. 2)
12-41-1-517-328 Starter
21-51-7-547-077 Clutch Release Bearing
21-51-6-777-428 Output Cylinder Clutch (slave cylinder)
21-52-6-759-854 Pipe (connects Cooper clutch line to slave)
21-52-6-759-855 Pipe Bracket
22-31-6-754-422 Support Bracket, Transmission
22-11-6-756-599 M12 x 45 bolts for support bracket (qty. 4)
23-11-7-509-737 Bracket, Bowden cable
23-11-7-527-716 Backup Light Switch
In addition, you should source the shifter cables that match your shift lug if you want to replace them...
If you want a PDF version in the meantime, just PM me!
Here's the basic parts list, not including the tranny, obviously... You may be able to re-use some parts on your car (e.g. the shifter lug) and some parts may be attached to the tranny you source. Also, if you get used output shafts, you will not need the dustcovers - I'd definitely get the lock ring, though.
Transmission Swap OEM Parts List
31-60-7-514-480 Output Shaft – Right (Passenger side)
31-60-7-514-479 Output Shaft – Left (Driver side)
31-60-7-518-257 Dustcover (qty. 2)
31-60-7-518-262 Dustcover
31-60-7-518-264 Lock Ring
31-10-6-773-005 Hex Nut (for output shafts, qty. 2)
12-41-1-517-328 Starter
21-51-7-547-077 Clutch Release Bearing
21-51-6-777-428 Output Cylinder Clutch (slave cylinder)
21-52-6-759-854 Pipe (connects Cooper clutch line to slave)
21-52-6-759-855 Pipe Bracket
22-31-6-754-422 Support Bracket, Transmission
22-11-6-756-599 M12 x 45 bolts for support bracket (qty. 4)
23-11-7-509-737 Bracket, Bowden cable
23-11-7-527-716 Backup Light Switch
In addition, you should source the shifter cables that match your shift lug if you want to replace them...
Banned
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 15,382
Likes: 0
He drained and flushed the tranny, replaced the seals with newer gen. ones, refilled the tranny. A new tranny was ordered, but it was 3 weeks before it came/I could get the car back there. That old tranny worked good as new for those 3 weeks.
The new tranny was NEW, not a rebuild. That happened over 60k miles ago, and my tranny is solid as a rock, and feels better that the Gertag in my wifes 05 Cabrio.
Mark
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,526
Likes: 1
5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 680
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,231
Likes: 1
From: PA/NJ
I helped Paul with the fluid change and don't recall it smelling out of ordinary... it drained into my 8 gal under-lift tank (to be combined with the tranny oil from many MCS's and my TDI's oil...) so no way to check it now...
Banned
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,299
Likes: 0
From: Tejas
I used to like the Midlands shifting as well - but, I have to say that the late model Getrag 6 with new cables and shift lug is JUST as good.
I've emailed the PDF how-to out to quite a few people. It's ~32 pages. If you want it, PM me with your email addy!
I've emailed the PDF how-to out to quite a few people. It's ~32 pages. If you want it, PM me with your email addy!
Neutral
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
ya 03 mc bought it used the day i drove it off the lot noticed it had groaning noise decelerating in 1st and second now 7000 miles later the noise is present in all 5 gears what would be a fair cost to replace the transmission i feel like the end is inevitable
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,526
Likes: 1
I'm sure you can't "save" the tranny at this point, but because it's an inexpensive thing and might help a bit, I'd change the transmission fluid now. Gives you a chance to see what kind of metal filings might be in the tranny, and check the condition of the old fluid. I replaced my fluid at 10,000 miles with Amzoil, and my Midlands shifts smoother than ever.
Neutral
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Lost my transmission yesterday
I drive an 04 MINI Cooper (I believe it's a Midland tranny, built before July of 04 - sorry I can't be more specific, I don't have access to the car) with 60,600 miles. It's been pretty trouble-free until now - just minor issues.
The transmission failed in pretty spectacular fashion. First, I was doing about 40mph on a secondary road when I heard a loud, metallic "Whang!". A quick glance in the rear-view to see the offending road debris, but I didn't spot anything.
She seemed to be driving fine, and there were no gauges showing any problem, so I chalked it up to mystery debris.
About 10 minutes later on a local interstate I thought, "This car in front of me must be smoking pretty badly." I changed lanes to get out of the cloud, but it followed me. "Oh crap!"
I pulled over immediately, and the smoke dissipated. There was an oily streak from the highway leading to my landing spot on the shoulder. My first thought was that the "Whang!" must've punctured my oil pan, and indeed, there was oil leaking out from under the engine. I checked my engine oil dipstick, and it was on the low side of full, so I thanked my lucky stars that I shut her down before she lost enough to damage the engine.
After a tow to the dealer (Global Imports - Atlanta), I picked up a loaner (Kia Spectra) and was told I'd know something today.
Got a call this morning informing me that the transmission was leaking profusely where it mates to the engine, but that they couldn't tell exactly where. In any case, they said, it would require replacement of the transmission. It would cost $4700. Ouch!
I told my advisor (Brandon) that I was disappointed, disconcerted by the news, and finding it hard to swallow this kind of catastrophic failure just 10k past warranty, and could he help. He assured me he would try.
A couple of hours later he phoned back with the news that MINI and Global would cover the parts if I would pay the labor. That put my portion at $1000.
Well, as frustrating as this is, I have to give kudos to Brandon, Global, and MINI for helping out when they didn't have to do anything at all. Everything should be completed by mid-week. I'll let you all know how it turns out.
In what was possibly a warning sign (hindsight and all), in the week leading up to the failure, I had two instances of what I think was a synchro problem shifting from 1st to 2nd. They both happened when trying to shift toward the top end of RPMs. So, who knows?
Sure, it sounds like these transmissions have had their share of failures, but the nature of the internet being what it is, all of us disappointed folk will gather and commiserate. The reliability data from Edmunds on the transmissions for 04 gets a green check, so here's hoping I have better luck this time around.
The transmission failed in pretty spectacular fashion. First, I was doing about 40mph on a secondary road when I heard a loud, metallic "Whang!". A quick glance in the rear-view to see the offending road debris, but I didn't spot anything.
She seemed to be driving fine, and there were no gauges showing any problem, so I chalked it up to mystery debris.
About 10 minutes later on a local interstate I thought, "This car in front of me must be smoking pretty badly." I changed lanes to get out of the cloud, but it followed me. "Oh crap!"
I pulled over immediately, and the smoke dissipated. There was an oily streak from the highway leading to my landing spot on the shoulder. My first thought was that the "Whang!" must've punctured my oil pan, and indeed, there was oil leaking out from under the engine. I checked my engine oil dipstick, and it was on the low side of full, so I thanked my lucky stars that I shut her down before she lost enough to damage the engine.
After a tow to the dealer (Global Imports - Atlanta), I picked up a loaner (Kia Spectra) and was told I'd know something today.
Got a call this morning informing me that the transmission was leaking profusely where it mates to the engine, but that they couldn't tell exactly where. In any case, they said, it would require replacement of the transmission. It would cost $4700. Ouch!
I told my advisor (Brandon) that I was disappointed, disconcerted by the news, and finding it hard to swallow this kind of catastrophic failure just 10k past warranty, and could he help. He assured me he would try.
A couple of hours later he phoned back with the news that MINI and Global would cover the parts if I would pay the labor. That put my portion at $1000.
Well, as frustrating as this is, I have to give kudos to Brandon, Global, and MINI for helping out when they didn't have to do anything at all. Everything should be completed by mid-week. I'll let you all know how it turns out.
In what was possibly a warning sign (hindsight and all), in the week leading up to the failure, I had two instances of what I think was a synchro problem shifting from 1st to 2nd. They both happened when trying to shift toward the top end of RPMs. So, who knows?
Sure, it sounds like these transmissions have had their share of failures, but the nature of the internet being what it is, all of us disappointed folk will gather and commiserate. The reliability data from Edmunds on the transmissions for 04 gets a green check, so here's hoping I have better luck this time around.
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,526
Likes: 1
You sure the "green check" for 04 isn't for the MCS or the late 04 MC with the Getrag tranny? Hard to believe it involves the Midland.
Neutral
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Midland replaced
Resmini, it was for the standard Cooper, but it didn't break down the year, so the results may indeed be skewed by later year transmissions.
Just got my Cooper back, and she's in top form. Shifts are silky smooth like the day I drove off the lot. I hadn't realized how much it had degraded, since it was so gradual.
They confirmed that the housing itself cracked where it connects to the motor. So the failure was pretty hard to believe, but I'm glad in a way, since the synchronization was starting to go.
I had them replace the clutch, too, and that was a good call; I was at about 30% remaining at 60k. That only cost me the parts and a little extra labor.
Chris
Just got my Cooper back, and she's in top form. Shifts are silky smooth like the day I drove off the lot. I hadn't realized how much it had degraded, since it was so gradual.
They confirmed that the housing itself cracked where it connects to the motor. So the failure was pretty hard to believe, but I'm glad in a way, since the synchronization was starting to go.
I had them replace the clutch, too, and that was a good call; I was at about 30% remaining at 60k. That only cost me the parts and a little extra labor.
Chris
4th Gear
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 492
Likes: 3
From: Athens, Greece
Ι guess i shoudn't have said anything... My gearbox is having an issue. When i am shifting very fast from 1st gear 7000rpm to second i hear gears rubbing, if u get me... In slow gear changes it is never doing that, neither in low and mid rpm. Is this a sign that my gearbox is going?
I'll hope for the best for ya.