Hi guys,
Just got a used mini, 2003 , non-S at 85k miles(Its what I could afford). I absolutely had to have one after I drove one. I've owned a 04 Mustang Cobra for years. So here a few questions about the mini and things that seem a little off(but could be me being used to a bigger engine).

First off:
-The stick seems to be "free" in gear, nothing wrong with shifting but once its in gear, I can wiggle it left and right.

-Stick feed back, if I accelerate I can feel the the stick come back slightly, not getting out of gear, just the slightest. Also sometimes some vibration.

-Don't know if this is by design(or I havn't gotten the hang of it) but acceleration in 2nd gear is a bit off, doesn't accelerate as fast as the other gears.

Hopefully these are in my head, because sometimes, if I'm trying to see what might be go(and paying attention as a result) I can get perfect acceleration, and everything seems perfect.

I searched on here for the engine whine noise on here and the likely cause is a water pump? Its not as loud as people say theirs is and one time I left the key in the on position and turned the engine off. this made the whine noise very loud since the rest of the engine was off, and turning the wheel changed the sound until I stopped turning it.

anyways I am in LOVE with this car. Would love it if someone could explain some of these things. any help is appreciated.

Thank you!

 

The whine you hear with the motor off is likely the ps cooling fan...or maybe the electric ps pump (a dc motor that pumps ps fluid, it should only run when needed).
I have a "s" with a 6 speed, so I'm not sure about you tranny...but since you have a "just-a-cooper" you have the midlands 5 speed...consider youself lucky...while it not the best, it beats the nightmare called the CVT auto in many non S coopers.
Welcome, and good luck!!

 

First off, Congrats on your Mini.

Can't help with the transmission problems, My 6-spd has been beautiful since i bought it.

As for the whining, Its the Power steering pump and fan. Unlike most cars Mini's are equipped with electrically driven PS Pumps, instead of ones driven from the Serpentine belt.

Edit:D'oh Zippy beat me to the post. He's.............Zippy.

 

Ugh, come to think of it, the fan! Forgot the world invented electric fans haha. I was also reading around was the Midland 5 speed that was having all the problems or the CVT? I might have got it stuck in my head as I read about the trasmissions, and thinking there might be something wrong with the trans.

again Thanks

 

The CVT was the transmission that was plagued with problems. It's quite a radical design compared to others, but was something I'd expect on a Lancia, not a BMW owned vehicle.

 

The midlands tranny is ok...it is not bad so to say...many have failed...the ones that are driven hard with modded cars do fail...but many last the life of the car...there are a few multi 100,000 coopers running around...now the cvt...I think it is a code word for timebomb...7000 to replace, impossible to fix ( replacement parts are NOT sold to anybody but mini), and some cars are on their 3rd trannys.....need I say more!! Sure a few have lasted a long time....but relilability wise, they are just not acceptable on a car made in a eastern European/former soviet bloc peoples car, nevermind a mini/BMW....

 

ohh seems like the trans is showing the signs of failure :( . Any recommendations on checking? I see a rebuild kit with the bearings around. Doesn't SEEM too far gone. What would be good preventive/prolonging steps? Planning on changing the trans fluid this weekend.

Also just thinking about it.. the loss of acceleration could be the DST/LSD it rained today, would that be a good assumption?

 

If the dcs or the simpler other system kicks in, the yellow light will turn on momentarily, and the throttle will be reduced by about half or so until traction is restored....it is very obvious when it kicks in. If you have a LSD on that mini, I would be very suprised...it is possible, but unlikely. On the S's the LSD are kinda rare...many were added aftermarket...they help a bit on the track, and when the r53 get modified enough to have trouble geting the power to the ground.
As for rebuilds and kits for the mdlands... I have seen kits at minimania, a sponsor, and I have bought a few items from them...they have a nice site, lots of stuff, but their prices tend to be pretty hi, even compared to other vendors that don't get into low price wars....so it might be cheaper to go with a different option...certainly faster. The midlands seemed to be hit or miss, depending on thevmodel year, and maybe luck...it was never said to have a great feel, but it worked, and was relilable enough.
A few rather adventurous types have installed the 6 speed from the S, and it is possible with a bunch of parts... Perhaps best scourged from a rear ended wreck...but the gearing is not ideal, and the cruise control, I think will not work. If you are interested, there is a diy/thread on it...do a quick search!!