For all of you who dont frequent MINI2 they have a new story up about all MINI Coopers and Ones getting a new German built 5 speed Getrag.

Here's the story

 

That'll make lots of people smile! Added durablility to potentially higher torque/hp that people are after.

p.s. (Why couldn't they just do the 6 speed in all MINI variations? MINI is a sports car for heaven's sake.)

 

I posted this story this past weekend on my site and have been really surprised at the lack of response from people. Personally I think this is huge news for the Cooper. That being said there were real reasons that BMW couldn't use the Getrag unit in the car initially. For more info check out New MINI by Graham Robson.

Also it's worth noting that one of the reasons they went with the original Midland Unit was it's proven longterm reliability.

 

Yeah, I can understand that Gabe, I dont go over to your site much, even though it's nice. I gotta conserve time over here at college so I just hit the main boards to get my info.

dominicminicoopers
I dont think the 6 would work too well in a cooper or one because of the powerband. It barely works in the S from what I hear. If they would change the gearing like those Sentra people did! Might as well just throw a 5 in ALL MINIs.

 

>>Yeah, I can understand that Gabe, I dont go over to your site much, even though it's nice. >>I gotta conserve time over here at college so I just hit the main boards to get my info.

No it's not just the lack of responses at my site that surprise me but general interest from the rest of the MINI web. I don't doubt that thousands of people have read the story at MINI2 or my site but the lack of a huge outpouring of excitement leads me to believe that either MC owners don't know how good the Getrag unit is or MCS owners don't really care that much about the news.

I'm also a bit surprised that this post is the first mention of this change at MCO :smile:

 

Yeah, I wish they'd change the gearing for the MCS. That first gear is much too tall and the 6th gear is much too short, IMHO. So if they get that "fixed", then I see no reason not to put the 6 in all versions of the MINI... :smile:

 

:smile: :smile:

While I liked my first Cooper, a five-speed, a lot, I found that reverse was hard to find too often! Somehow, it just wouldn't mesh up correctly unless I went into first gear before attempting reverse!

Cheers!
Clover

 

Hi everyone!

I too read this on the bridger site this morning. Please excuse my ignorance, but can someone please explain this to me. Advantages, etc. As I have yet to order my Mini - is this something I should be excited about?

 

Cool, I just drove Topanga Canyon on our California Dreamin' trip last week. Came from Mulholland Dr. at night to camp in Malibu. Sorry to hijack...

I'm really looking forward to getting the notchier Getrag tranny.

 

(I hit Gabe's site all the time also... great site...) Maybe MINI is trying to keep it 'under wraps' untill it actually comes out... i'm sure they don't want anyone to delay their orders...

And minimia... it's pretty good news... Getrag is a well known and respected Tranny maker... not that there's a single thing wrong with the MC's current box, it's just that Getrags are usually that much better...

Rocketboy_X

 

>>And minimia... it's pretty good news... Getrag is a well known and respected Tranny maker... not that there's a single thing wrong with the MC's current box, it's just that Getrags are usually that much better...
>>
>>Rocketboy_X

Thanks Rocketboy! I appreciate the help. I assumed it was a good thing with the fuss, but I thought ...just in case I'd better ask.

Still, looking forward to ordering my Mini soon. I want an S, just waiting for the orthopaedic surgeon to give the okay on the left knee!

 

Oh boy, You new MC owners are in for a treat. The Getrag is one of the best trannys Ive ever had in a vehicle. Close ratios, positive shifts, reliable.

 

I don't suppose anyone knows for sure, but could anyone speculate as to the ratios for the gearbox?

 

The current 5-speed was engineered for the Cooper and without a major change to the Cooper engine, there is no reason to suspect that the ratios would substantially change .... maybe some minor tinkering, but unless a swarm of current owners requested a change (and had good reasons), the new one should be about the same.

 

Dumb ? alert:

Does the getrag coming to the 5 spd cooper mean any changes in how the CVT works or anything?

 

>> ? alert:
>>
>>Does the getrag coming to the 5 spd cooper mean any changes in how the CVT works or anything?

I don't see why it would, unless the CVT is being built by the same company that's currently making the gearbox for the MC...

Rocketboy_X

 

>>p.s. (Why couldn't they just do the 6 speed in all MINI variations? MINI is a sports car for heaven's sake.)>>>>>




The gearing would be all wrong. So it would have to be different anyway. Also the Cooper is the "base" car here (not trying to start any wars!
). Price is also probably an issue. THe S costs more b/c of upgrades like the Getrag. That's really the bottom line here for most of our questions/complaints. Price. They want the Cooper under $17k and the S under $20k. So when we ask why doesn't it have an LSD or a smaller pulley or more expensive this or a different that - $ is really the bottom line in a lot of these situations.

 

I personally love the tall 1st + 2nd gears...but having a lot of HP mods really helps the situation. Stock, I agree that the gears are on the tall side, but it has great advantages.
When one does begin to mod for more HP, the gearing dosent become usless like on a mustang, add some HP to a stock 5-speed, and 1st gear becomes totally usless, Car and Driver have been known to have their best timed runs starting from 2nd because the wheel spin in 1st was totally uncontrolable.

I think being able to downshift to 2nd gear from 50MPH is totally awsome.

 

The CVT is currently manufactured in Belgium by a German company called ZF:

http://www.zf.com/animation.html

More info on ZF's Ecotronic CVT transmission:

http://www.zf.com/defaultz.asp?lang=1&id=98

There are no plans to change the current design or change manufacturers for the Cooper's CVT transmission.

The current Cooper's 5-speed transmission is being made by Midland Gears in the UK.

 

The GETRAG is good news... if you haven't already bought a Cooper.

Wonder when they will sort the clutch?

 

MINIClo what happened to your first PS MC5? Did you trade that in for Wanda?
Also, while I have never been to Topanga Canyon, can't you use 2nd to get up those grades to your frirend's place?

 

Damn! I was hoping this meant there'd be a new 6-speed with proper gear ratios for me to cannibalize.

Aside from the absurd first gear, excessively close ratios, and rather conservative 6th gear, the Getrag is by far the worst transmission I have ever known. Call it precise, positive, whatever. I personally hate having to wrap my entire fist around the stick and YANK it out of one gear only to SLAM it into the next with a THUNK so loud it drowns out the radio. IMO that's neither sporty nor precise. I'd much rather just tap the top of the stick with my pinkie and be in the next gear already.

Oh, and I can't even count the number of times my car has been abandoned in a parking lot by a friend or valet unable to engage reverse.

I'd take a sabotaged Midland anyday.

 

>>Damn! I was hoping this meant there'd be a new 6-speed with proper gear ratios for me to cannibalize.
>>
>>Aside from the absurd first gear, excessively close ratios, and rather conservative 6th gear,

I'm glad I'm not the only one with reservations about the current 6-speed...

Here's my ideals:

Gear -- Max MPH (comments)
1 -- 30 (so you can go 5 MPH without using the clutch)
2 -- 55 (just between current 1st & 2nd)
3 -- 75 (right about where 2nd is)
4 -- 100 (between current 3rd and 4th)
5 -- 70 MPH = 3000 RPM (Make it like current 6th gear)
6 -- 75 MPH = 2,500 RPM (make it a true 'overdrive' gear)

 

I like the ultra knotch of the getrag, it's a great positive feedback type of tranny....

My first car was a Dodge Omni with a slushbox for a tranny, and knotch is always better than slush...

And the whole can't find reverse thing, I think it's operator trouble... the only problem I have with reverse is i'm always paranoid i'm in reverse, and not first...

(And if you have to slam and thud it, there might be something wrong.. yes, you need a deliberate motion to shift, but in no way would I describe it as a slam...)

Also, I like the drive ratios... it's not the most road friendly, but I would be afraid of losing some of the accelration by having to shift too often... For thoes that are not in love with their 6-speed, I have to ask, what type of driving do you do most? City, or Highway(Not counting being stuck in traffic jams all the time)/Open road type of driving?


Rocketboy_X