2009 JCW

1) what's the expected lifespan of the gearbox ('normal use'!)

2) do you know what brand is the OEM fitted clutch for our R56 JCW? Valeo, Sachs, Blueprint, NK and LUK all make this part (21208607915). But which is used as OEM? By your experience(s) - any better than the rest - or are all the same?

3) flyweel - do you reckon this one needs to be replaced?





Reason I m asking all these questions: Over the last month, I started hearing a strange noise, whist driving normally, accelerating from 1st / 2nd / 3rd gear whilst in low RPM for each. I didn't notice any loss of power or anything else. Only this 'trembling' like noise. So I took it to the garage and took the technician for a quick ride in order to hear it too. He told me it was the gearbox (and I believe him). Is it normal to have this at 80000km?

As for the clutch/flywheel related questions: I replaced the clutch 3yrs ago, and currently run 16000km on it. When that work was done, I also took photos of the flywheel (as you can see above). Although I m not an expert, I can see some wear on it. So I m worried about it.

To be honest I m seriously considering of selling my JCW. I mean I love the car, but its really costly on maintenance, so I can't keep going through such repairs every couple of years. But first, I m trying to figure whether I should rebuild the gearbox, and whilst at it, consider also replacing the clutch (and flywheel?). On the other hand I m frustrated, as I think it's a bit too early for those parts wearing out on me.

 

As far as the gearbox goes - it's probably me who's responsible.

6 years ago, when I bought the car from its previous owner (at 38000km), I went through my standard routine (as I did in the past for all of the previous cars I ve owned): changed oils, filters, everything..in this case it was engine oil+filter, gas filter and I also asked the mechanic about clutch/transmission fluid...I was told that "this is lifetime and not to be changed..". Although that didn't make much sense to me at the time, I trusted him. I thought - wow, BMW have discovered a lubricant fluid that lasts a lifetime...amazing!

So now, nearing the 80000km mark on the car, hearing that bearing noise..I realise how silly I was back then not to ask a 2nd opinion.
I went to a different garage and replaced the clutch fluid with this
I had being told by the mechanic there, that I might just have a chance of getting away with it, and that the fresh lubricant may just save the day and not have to go for a gearbox rebuild.
Having run the car for more than 50km, unfortunately, the bearing noise is still there (although little different). But still there. Looks like there's no escaping a gearbox rebuild. This sucks. If only I had a moment to think that not even NASA have invented a lubricant that lasts for life, it would probably not have come to this.

So I m just writing back to warn you of this. I have being told that apparrently this is a trick sold by some BMW dealers in order to have the gearbox box done a bit sooner to what you d normally have, if you change its fluid every few K miles (but obviously 80000km is a bit too late)

 

250 views and no reply - I guess I must have really put people off with this

I m just curious if anyone is aware, if BMW recommends replacement of clutch lubricant (and after how many miles?)
At least I haven't read anything about it. But having replaced in mine, there must be some change interval in one of their tech bulletins for the car.

 

That Amsoil fluid, if it is indeed 5w-30?, is WAY too thin for gear oil. OEM gearbox fluid is 75w90. Also, the OEM fluid is NOT long-life fluid as filled in 2009. Unfortunately, the combination of those two items, your gearbox is probably toasted. You can pick up a decent used gearbox for a little bit of investment here:
https://www.allmagautoparts.com/coll...ions-and-parts

Since BMW/Mini does not list any internal parts in their catalogs, you may not be able to find a shop that can rebuild them.

Of all the manual transmission vehicles I've owned, I have tried to follow a 50k mile gear oil change interval.

 

That Amsoil fuild, is good for the car. I cross-checked that in the shop also (because they too wondered about the OEM being 75w90)
Amsoil themselves also state that: "Replaces MTF-94 fluid for Land Rover*, MG*, and Mini Cooper*. Replaces Honda* Genuine MTF fluid"

Judging by the noise (no other impact i.e. difficulty in gear change / loss of power), I could almost swear that there is some mild damage done at this stage. Probably a particle injured one of the bearings.
Although as you say BMW hasn't yet released the part codes for this, it seems that (unofficially) there are repair kits out there and the feedback for rebuild is 'as good as the OEM'. Probably they reverse-engineered and figured out the needed parts. Can't be that hard for someone experienced with gearbox repairs..

50K miles = approx 80K km - which is same as mine! It may or may not be normal for wear to occur so prematurely, but in my case, it's a 2nd hand car, so I don't know if (and how often!) it was abused by the previous owner.

The repair kit + labour will cost me around 500-600EUR (as I m located in Europe), so I don't know if purchasing a 2nd hand gearbox - which is questionable (mileage + use/abuse) will be any better compared to a rebuild (in which case at least I ll know there will be brand new parts put in there...)

But anyhow, I ll have to consider if I ll fix this or sell the car. Even though this gearbox damage it my fault to a large extend (as I ve been tricked and not changed the fluid on time), it's just too costly to maintain this car in a good state. And I can't have something knowing that it's not in a good state. I wanted the car to be in perfect working order...