According to MINI it is lifetime fluid. Personally I don't buy that. I changed mine out at 30,000. Most likely I'll do it again soon as I'm almost at 60,000. Oil is cheap transmissions aren't.

No, if the oil is checked it doesn't have to be replaced. If it is low make sure it is topped up. It really doesn't cost much to change. IIRC it only takes 2 quarts.

PS: If changing it make sure they use the correct stuff.

I think since I've hit 30K ill change mine too... One more question ...
I took my car to a closed parking lot with lots of echo so I could hear the car better... Every time I shift I hear a very subtle "click".. it doesnt sound bad.. sounds like when you put the door on a lock.... Is that normal?
Another thing.. For example.. the Steering pump makes this buzzing noise that confuses ppl into thinking that there is a problem with it, but that is just the way it sounds... is there any other sound like that, that the mini does?

Thanks!
Sal.

I have an 02 Cooper, and I had to replace the engine at 40,000 miles. Not happy about that. What you can do is get them to open up the transmission and check the oil level there - I know that was what caused mine to eat itself alive.

whoa the engine? So your transmission failed and that also caused for your engine to need replacement?

THanks!

One of the reasons I changed mine at 30,000 is the fact that there is always some metal in the oil through normal wear. Another reason is that my MCS has a LSD & I thought it would live longer with clean oil.

In my opinion the sound you are hearing is normal. If you have ever ridden a motorcycle or even been next to one when it shifts you will hear the mechanical sound the transmission makes when changing gears. Your MINI is making the same sounds, you just normally don't hear them when enclosed in your car.

I think Trilobite meant to type engine, he must have hit the transmission key on his keyboard by mistake.

Yea.. if the car has windows up I do not hear aaaaanything... To hear most sounds I need to be close to a wall, in a silent parking lot, windows down.. my head out the window ....
Yea hope it was the engine key mistake.. otherwise that is just plan scary hahaha.....

Thanks a lot for helping me with all my questions and dealing with my OCDness.... I had been considering recording audio of my engine and posting it here ... unless anyone would actually take the time to hear it

Whenever my MINI makes a noise & I mention it to my wife, she reaches over & turns up the radio.... Quick & easy fix.

Glad to help you out. Now as far as that OCD goes, go wash your car & you'll feel better.

Sorry, not the entire engine, just the Transmission.

Good to hear it was not the engine.. sorry for the trans though...

Yeah, so was I. Apparently the 02 transmissions leak when it gets cold. I didn't know that, and it chewed itself up pretty badly. I'd recommend getting a mechanic to check the transmission to see if it's doing that - grinding the gears, because there's apparently no sensors in there.

Lucky its it 05, and got getrag. It is a common sound of gear change, love that mechanical sound...Shilstick!


Motoringfile-MINI Buyers Guide
The 2005 MC also had similar tweaks that resulted in slightly more torque and better power power throughout the range. However the biggest change to the drivetrain of the Cooper was the introduction of the Getrag 5-speed gearbox in place of the problem prone and rather ancient Midlands manual unit. The new gearbox produced better feel and real feedback – a big step up indeed.

http://www.motoringfile.com/mini-r50r53-buyers-guide/

NIiice.. im slowly starting to feel more relieved :-) (till the tranny drops)