As Im hurrying around trying to get the last few things done to leave for the Dragon tomorrow, my car began making a loud higher pitched groaning sound that would stop at higher speeds and when the clutch is engaged. I got it back to the dealership and they are taking a look at it now. They gave me a loaner and cleared me to take it to MOTD but its not exactly the same . Sounds like what happend with Krut's car, Im still hoping and praying its something small but Im betting its the clutch/flywheel.

 

In the worst case senario, they will replace the transmission but hopefully it is a faulty throwout bearing or something simple. That's why it is good to have a new car warranty, right?

 

Ugh, I'm sorry Bad timing given that you are preparing to go on vacation.

 

Thats actually the worst part. Im not happy about my car having troubles but it being right before I leave...no fun! At least it happend here and not up at the Dragon!

 

Well look at the bright side you got a loaner, drive it like you stole it.

 

Sorry to hear your baby is in the shop. Very glad to hear you still have transportation to MOTD. See you shortly!

 

Just got a call back from my SA. The transmission needs to be replaced, I wont have her back until at least next week.

 

My R56 is also in the shop because of the drivetrain noise. I'm getting a new transmission as well.
I hope they didn't forget to order one with LSD.

 

My 07 MCS was in the shop for a louder than normal noise from what I though was the engine. They initially told me MINIUSA told them to check the transmission. However, after troubleshooting the car, they changed the clutch and flywheel. Now, the shifting of gears feels more smooth than when I first got my car. However the engine still makes a noise. From what I read, this noise is normal. But it just seems weird to me to listen to such a loud noise while waiting for a light to change, sometimes it's embarassing. I have reluctantly accepted this noise, but am constantly reviewing these forums and the ones on mini2 to see if somebody had this noise fixed satisfactorily.

 

I read your thread in the problems/fixes forum, Im sorry to hear about your car too. I also have LSD, I wonder if thats the connection. The gears have been notchy from day one but, I have driven far worse so I didnt think too much about it. Whatever the problem is, I hope this addresses it.

 

How does a new transmission go out. Haven't they made these transmissions before?

 

Good question. I was really pressing my SA to give me answers but I likely wont get any. It seems like they have some sort of checklist to verify the problem is with the tranny then unbolt the thing, bolt on the new one and all done. He said they wont even crack the trans case at the dealership. It goes straight to MINIUSA where they will open it and dissect the problem then "make improvements", whatever that means. Its likely that my dealership wont even be privy to what they find. Frustrating!

 

I got the same answer.

 

Sounds like they all read the same sheet of music.Q

 

Have people been reporting anything other than noisy transmissions/engines? Grinding gears, that sort of thing?

 

Well craptastic. We arrived in Fontana today and I just noticed a slight noise when shifting from 3rd to 2nd. My 05 cooper S had to have a clutch replaced after only 3000 miles and I have about 2300 on Dori right now. Plus we have a 550 mile journey back to Louisiana. I hope this is just growing pains and not something serious or I will be pretty ticked

 

You guys are scaring me!! I'm at 1700 miles and she still purrs like a kitten...

...but for how long??? I've got my fingers and toes crossed...

John

 

Bad luck to have them all crossed! Just pick two fingers and cross them instead.

Seriously, I'm at about 3600 miles and it scares me, too.

 

Fine here *knocks on wood*

I haven't really babied the car either. I observed the break in period, but I've been having fun since then. No clutch drops or burnouts or any of that juvenile garbage either.

Sorry about your issues guys.

 

The scariest part for me was to learn that my car was the first 07 my dealer was going to work on. I am not sure how to say this, but they did a great job with what they fixed. I think its not their fault to have not tackled the issue properly (whenever I press the clutch, a clacking noise is gone, but when I depress it, sometimes I have heard it) as everything is dictated by MINIUSA. I think this might scare you guys a little more, but maybe we can help us out to fix this problem.

 

Ill be over at Fontana tonite for the welcome banquet. Id be happy to give a listen and see if it sounded like mine did. Ill be in a IB/IB faux7

Me too. I said as much to my SA too. His reply which actually made me feel better is that they are only dropping the tranny and replacing it which is much easier than having to work on the trans. Im keeping my fingers crossed on this one. Talk to y'all when I get back!

 

I hate to be Mr. Doom and Gloom here (rolling over 1700 miles, myself)... but my concern with this whole tranny noise/flywheel issue is that for now, I would assume MINI is replacing the old with the old (meaning same design, just a new part).

So if it's a design & engineering issue, how long 'till it pops back up with the freshly installed unit? Another 3000 miles? The first wave of these that come out are going to be the guinea pigs for future modification to the part (if that's what is necessary).

It'll be a little while before the issue is diagnosed, the parts are re-engineered and the factory (Getrag) gets re-tooled. Oh well, thank god for an active warranty.

 

Hmmm...oil change every 15,000 mi. trany change every 3000 mi. .Mine does'nt grind but it does make the groaning sound 3rd to 2nd sometimes .If you've ever driven a car with break pads shot ...that sound, metal to metal.It's done it from day one .I'll let them figure it out on your cars before I bring mine in.Seems like there a little to quick to replace parts than fix them.On Mini 2 a guy was getting his seat compleatly replaced becouse the memory wasnt working ,he looked under the seat flipped the metal part in the track down and it works perfect no need to replace seat.

 

Will I have this sort of problem with an auto?. Or is it just the manual. Look into my crystal ball

 

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