Hi,

I took my car for a quick checkup because I was hearing a rubbery noise coming from the front left wheel. My car has 30K, so I was not worried about the noise. After an inspection at a local shop I was told that apparently the noise is comming from the transmission and that I need a new one. I was PO'd... I called Mini and as I started to explain the problem she asked...Is it a grinding noise? No.... Does the noise goes away as soon as you start going faster? Yes.... Do you have Goodyear Tires? Yes.... Are they low on thread? Em... Yes.... And she tells me that most likely its not the transmission but my tires, as they tend to make that noise... What do you guys think about this? From what I've read on the forums there are a lot of 02-04's with transmission problems.. do ALL 05's have the new Getrag box? Does this help?

Thanks!
Sal.


PD
Sorry if there are any PSmini members reading this thread, im OCD and wanted to hear more opinions

 

Your MINI has a Getrag box too. Some of the ratios were changed in 05, but all MCS have Getrag boxes.

Well if it was me I'd rotate the tires front to back & see if the noise goes away or changes. Try that & go from there.

 

Hi, they actually rotated the tires and after that I cannot hear ANY noise anymore... I have tried the following two tests:

1) Get the car going slowly... move to neutral... move into 1st gear... listen for noises.
2) Start moving the car in 1st gear without accelerating... then push the accelerator briefly a couple of times... listen for noises..

Nothing.. I cannot hear any noise that in my opinion could indicate a transmission problem... But the shop says that there is still a problem.. I will go back on Monday so we can have a 2ndo look at it.. any suggestions on things to ask or look for?

Thanks!

 

What would help is knowing what year your car is and if it's a Cooper or a Cooper S.

 

Hi, its a 2005 Base Cooper Thanks a lot for the help!!

 

Your 05 base Cooper has a Getrag.... Earlier Coopers had a Midlands box.

 

Take your car to a DIFFERENT shop.

Mention the noises you heard.

DON'T mention the other shop or what they "diagnosed".

 

I will take it to another shop, although I am wondering how possible it is for my transmissions to have problems if I cannot hear any other noises anymore. I do not think they checked the oil on the transmission to check if there was any debris there...

 

Definitely.

If the noise went away after the tire rotation and the trans shifts fine...it sounds like you solved the problem.

I would definitely find another shop to work on your car.

 

Getrag builds a tough transmission. I don't believe you could kill one at 30K . . . unless the factory forgot to add fluid.

 

I had Goodyear runflats on my MCS when I first got it. Made the same type of noise you talk about, especially when cold. I have swapped tires long since and dont have problems with weird sounds like that. A year and a half of AutoX and beating the living **** out of my six speed at times and it still works great (though the same cant be said for the motor mounts).

 

From what Ive been reading apparently Getrag seems to be a sturdy transmission, but since this shop had been really good in the past I was really worried when they mentioned the transmission problem. I wonder if I should take my car for a transmission oil change and ask them to inspect the old oil.


Thanks!!

 

I've heard from several Mini owners with Goodyear tires that they heard the same thing with Goodyear Tires, they all thought it was something worse but apparently changing tires fixed the issue. Still I wonder if there was a more subtle noise that the mechanic heard that I am not able to hear... I like to think I still hear all frequencies

 

I'm glad everything worked out for you, but I think you should go to a different mechanic. He might have been trying to take you for a ride. I don't know all the details regarding your visit, but what kind of mechanic makes an immediate diagnosis just by sound alone? If you need a quality mechanic that works on MINI's, the members on this board can help point you in the right direction, depending on where you live.

 

I live around Redmond, WA. Any suggestions for good mechanics around this area will be greatly appreciated. Also tips on what to hear/feel for in the transmission that might indicate a problem would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

he does not have a getrag said 5speed sp Midlands????

 

Base Mini Coopers from 2005 have Midlands? Its a 5 speed you are correct.

 

Here are two places that may help you in the Seattle area: http://fatcity.net/, and http://zahntechauto.com/

 

Quote from MotoringFile: "MINI to take the Getrag five-speed will be the MINI Cabriolet, which starts production in April 2004. At that point the MINI ONE and the Cooper will also switch to the Getrag five-speed gearbox."

So, unless chava007's MINI was built before 4/2004, it has the Getrag. I have a Getrag 5 speed in my BMW with 256K miles on it and have never had a problem. (Knock on wood!)

 

Sorry for the question but... where can I check my built date? I remember it was coded on the side door or something like that... Are there many 05's that didnt get a getrag?

Thanks!

 

Also, Thanks a lot for the link to FatCity!!

 

Open the drivers door. It is on a label on the door jamb.

 

ok.. just checked... "MFD by .... bla bla..... 10/04"
Which is coincidently the month my warranty expired Oct.
So I should have a Getrag....

Thanks!!

 

Well that is a bit of good news.

Not all Midlands are bad or are going to go bad, but BMW/MINI changed suppliers & that has to say something.

If you change the tranny oil & you find a bit of swarf don't worry. All transmissions will have a bit of metal in the bottom of them. If you see large chunks well that is a bit of a worry.

 

How often is the MIni supposed to have a transmission oil change? I was looking at the items for Inspection I and II and there is no mention to that... If I get that oil checked it has to be replaced right?