Got an '02 Cooper, been running great, just hit 57k miles with it. I've been noticing lately a weird noise in my low gears, kinda thinking it might be the throwout bearing. What's the typical use a Mini gets out of a clutch, and throwout bearing before replacing it? It's never been driven too hard to my knowledge, I'm the second owner, I did learn to drive stick on it but never beat it.

And then of course my check engine light popped on which could be a million and a half things, and whenever my revs drop below 1000 my oil light goes on, but then goes away as soon as I get my revs up

 

i hope you won't have to change the transmission entirely. fingers crossed

 

hoonpv's got it right. The early MINI midlands trannys are notorious for going out after 40k miles. Hope that's not your problem.

 

I have a 2002 with 91k and still original clutch. I would be concerned about the oil pressure light on a low RPM .I had a oil change done at a supposedly reputable foreign car shop and they left a part out of the filter cannister and it would have low oil pressure at idle. Newer MINIs don't have this problem as far as I know.

 

I would definitely check the oil level.

I have an 06 and had to have my Dual Mass Flywheel (DMF) and clutch replaced at about 28k miles. Not sure if you have a DMF being a Cooper, but I would check into it.

 

Yeah I definitely have to take it back to the shop to get the oil light checked out, it's gotta be something simple that they overlooked at the last change.

That'd blow if the Tranny's going, I'm taking the car in this week to get every looked over, who knows what else they'll find hahaha

Thanks for the tips though guys. Other than those one or two little things the cars been fantastic. I'm busting sooo bad to sell it off and get an '04 or '05 Cooper S

 

If youre noticing your noise in lower gears as youre moving,...probably not the throw-out bearing. A bad throw-out bearing will make as much noise just sitting still,..as youre depressing the clutch,.....as when moving and depressing the clutch.....
sounds more like transmission noise.

hopefully you can get all your issues resolved quickly,...and reasonably!

Steve

 

Just went through the same thing. Solution? New transmission. 1 month and 1100 miles out of warranty. MiniUSA promised "Good Faith" discount but it was cheaper just to get it to a BMW dealer.

Change your tranny fluid. If you see metal bits on the drain plug consider trading it in tomorrow or save up $4500.

Buy a AAA premium membership, you'll need it for the tow back to the dealer. Then buy the platinum warranty and let it sit in the driveway for a couple months till it kicks it. Then file a claim.

Had my Toyota been up and working that's what I would have done. But sadly my rock crawler is down for a complete frame up rebuild.

 

so it is indeed the transmission...

 

Just an FYI on the AAA Warrantys. No inspection needed. 30 days till you can use it. They cover DEALER repairs and pay the dealer. You get a rental $30 per day for a max of 180. And the cost on a 2/30 for your year and mileage for a Silver is under $1200. Deductible is $100/$50 at AAA approved dealers/repair shops.

They'll cover it up to 5/100 for a whopping 2400. Not bad as both are cheaper than a new tranny. They also cover all of the common problems expect short clutch and brake life. But they do cover all the brake parts except the pads on the Platinum.

Just wanna chime this in to help you out if it comes down to it. Get the premium membership to boot and you get towing at no charge up to 100 miles among a number of other extras.