Mini Cooper changed thier 5 speed from the Midland 2002 thru 2004 and changed in 2005 to the Getrag. Can anyone tell me about problems and/or strong points with the Midland (2002 - 2004). Thanks for your help, Ron

 

Midlands strong point : smoother gear change feel vs. the notchy feel of the Getrag.
A friend w/ an '05 Cooper says his Getrag can be hard to engage reverse at times.
Midlands weak point : they have been known to blow their main seal at below freezing teperatures. Also you cannot rush the 1st to 2nd gear change at high revs or it will crunch.
The general "feeling" is that the Getrag may have a longer lifespan than the Midlands, however my '04 Midlands is fine after 25,000 miles whereas my friend's Getrag was replaced after 8,000 miles. Go figure.

 

Man Size - The reason for my questions is that I bought a 2003 Mini Cooper 2 months ago and put 2,000+ miles on it and the trany is bad. When I pulled the trany drain & fill plugs the magnetic plugs were full of metal, any comments. My honeymoon was over real quick. I'm thinking on putting a 2004 trany in it. Thanks, Ron

 

The Midlands just aren't strong enough. Loved the way my Midland shifted. Absolutely effortless! But most die around 40K. Mine made it to 70K, but I had "ghost" problems since about 32K. Turned out to be the synchros the whole time.

Funny enough about the Getrag trannies....I've got a brand new Cooper and I'm on my 3rd Getrag tranny. I just hit 5,000 miles a few days ago.

 

mines an 03 with 63K.....going strong......so far

 

Those early trannys have had all kinds of problems from what I have read on here and other sites.

 

And I beat mine with a stick every day! It just wants more!