Mechanic said transmission on 07 R56 S 6 speed, going bad at 42K miles. Only 5 months after warranty. First car I have ever had with a transmission go bad in that period of time. Taking to dealer on Monday. Any body else had similar problems. Can't believe this!

 

I'm assuming you mean that the clutch is going. It isn't the first thread I've seen on the forums about the clutch on MINI's going early. I'm sure if you search the R56 forums you can find a few threads that had clutches going. I agree that it seems to be quite a bit early.

However, I do wonder how many of those that have clutches go this early are partially if not entirely at fault or if it is a malfunction of the original clutch/transmission design. I'm not pointing fingers and everyone will tell you they drive a manual perfectly (I naturally do too). In my opinion either the MINI is trickier to drive properly or the clutches go faster than other vehicles given the high rate of threads regarding this, or am I seeing this wrong? Maybe someone else can correct me?

 

I have an 07 R56 S 6 speed also. My brother & I both learned how to drive manual on this car & it's at 57,xxx miles right now.I don't drive drunk so 1 night I let my friend drive me home & he had the hand brake on four at least 3 miles . I don't have any other references of any other cars but I drive the hell out of my car at 26.1 mpg.

 

Not common for the 6 speed getrag or the Aisin auto (wasn't originally specified)

 

err... does that mean that the gearbox is developing a taste for cigars, fast women and whisky? what does "going bad" mean in a bit more detail please?

 

Gertag 6 - N14 engine - Noise at 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gear. Release point on clutch pedal has not change, no slippage, only chatter in first three gears. Noise starts after clutch engagement in 1st gear, 2nd gear, and starts to trail off in 3rd gear!. 4th, 5th, 6th are fine. It appears in higher gears only. Down shift to 3rd, and 2nd quite loud and noisy.

 

With the car in neutral and fully stopped is it noisy and does it go away when pushing the clutch pedal?

 

No noise fully stopped in neutral. Also, no noise with clutch pedal depressed. Noise is at point of release through acceleration and through the high gears 2nd and 3rd. At 4th gear the noise subsides. Down shifting to second gear sounds terrible. Even reverse rattles during engagement and acceleration. Had Way at Way Motor works confirm (that guy is awesome).

 

No noise sitting still in neutral. And yes the noise goes away when the clutch is pressed in. The noise occurs in the high gears (1,2,3). 4th gear the noise goes away.

Thanks for the response.

 

Sounds like either a throwout bearing or an input shaft bearing. Bummer.

 

How do you figure?? TKA said NO noise sitting in neutral (input bearing would make noise) and NO noise when clutch is depressed (throwout bearing would make noise)

 

As two non-dealer mechanics indicated Tranny gone.

Took to dealer this morning. These guys diagnosed as Differential Noise, Release Bearing Noise. Recommended replacement of transmission, clutch, pressure plate, throwout bearing, and flywheel @ 43K miles!!!!!! Labor included around $7. I left quickly.

Any suggestions on where to purchase Re manufactured Transmission at decent price?

 

Wow $7k sounds alot.

 

Yes 7k is ALOT

but the trans is working, just makes noise. I suggest driving it till it gets worse as this isn't going to be cheap.

 

To OP, are you original owner of vehicle? I am guessing not.

 

I would try to see if your dealer would work with mini on that. I have a 07 MCSa where the tran. conrtrol unit went out at 3k or about 5 month out of warranty and my dealer got them to grace the repair. That was about 4 grand. It took about 3 weeks to get the work done because of the wait to get the OK from Mini and I was not offered a loaner.

 

Yes, I am the only owner of the vehicle. And I am woking with Mini and the dealer to hopefully grace the repair. Hope hear something back today.

Thanks for all of the comments.

 

Keep us updated!!

 

Here's a place just north of Charlotte, NC that has an almost new 2009 MCS 6 speed for sale. They convert cars into electrics and sell the engines and tranny's.

http://charlotte.craigslist.org/pts/2687948424.html

Tom.