I was making a quick Sonic run tonight, and when shifting into 3rd, I grinded. OUCH! I've owned the MINI about 2 years, and I've ground 3rd about 3 or 4 times since buying it. (It's always 3rd for me) I'm wondering how much does it take to damage a tranny. I remember learning to drive stick in my old Isuzu, and it wasn't pretty. I even have a memory of going for 5th and accidently hitting 3rd. Yet...after all the grinding, dying, and mis-shifts that car was fine. Is this tranny that sturdy. I'm not planning to grind gears, but I suppose it does happen. I'm hoping I haven't done any damage, especially after seeing how much one costs. And about replacing trannies...is this the kind of thing that causes them to need replacing? Or is it usually some other reason?

 

3 times in 2 years won't hurt the tranny badly. Nothing you will notice. Just don't do it on a weekly basis.

 

Yeah i catch mine every once in a while usualy its just a light graze where i can feel it a bit. or ill put it into gear and as i let the clutch go ill feel the trans pull the shifter out of my had as it engages.

 

Not to worry!! An occassional grind in the heat of battle will not significantly impact tranny life.

 

Sweet! Thanks for the comments!