I'm looking to buy a 05 mini Cooper s and after test driving the car shifting when clutch is fully pressed in going into 1st 3rd and 4th the trans makes a crunching noise. Any idea what's wrong? Walk away? The dealer said they'll fix the problem before we take it home. Thoughts on this? Thank you!! -Dan

 

Let them fix it b4 buying.

 

That could be a synchro and yes the dealer should fix. Is this a car dealer with a full service garage or a guy sitting in an old office front with cars in the front?

 

Unless the dealer is experienced in working on Minis, there is a high probability that their efforts to fix the problem will not be successful.

 

There used to be a car commercial where there are two kids playing with the toy where you put the right shape object in the appropriate shaped hole. One kid is trying to put a square peg in a round hole, "but Billy its not going in" to which Billy say "just keep pounding on it Jimmy." Fast forward and now the two grown kids own a car repair business. Jimmie is working on a car and "Billy this thing is not going in" to which you know what Billy tells Jimmie to do.

 

That could be nothing more than a clutch slave cylinder that needs bleeding or replacing. I would heartily recommend having a competent independent mechanic perform a PPI (pre-purchase inspection) before you commit to buying.