My 2002 MINI COOPER has a bunch of miles and is starting to make some noises. In second gear mainly when it is cold out or when my car is cold, there is a growling noise at around 2500 rpm. I have no clue why. Anyone have any incite to this problem? Also sometimes when the clutch is in, it grinds gears. Not pleasant to hear. Can someone help me out!? Thanks!!

I can't believe the number of people that have read this post and not respond! What's wrong with people?
Back to your question, with 215 000 miles on your car you need to start thinking of it as your grandfather. Grunts, creaks, gaseous emissions, fluid leaks all come with old age.
Enjoy the experience!

On a serious note, it probably wouldn't hurt to change the fluid in your transmission and see if things improve.

If it only grinds sometimes on clutch engagement have someone check the hydrolics of the system, could just be low & developed some air bubbles.

Not to mention the obvious, is it possibly just clutch time?

And yes have someone drain the tranny & look for signs of excessive wear, or of course the oil/lube may have just broken down too far to do it's job properly.

215k miles on a Mini (02), that is really great news!

How long have you owned the Cooper? Do you know if the trans has been replaced (many of us had problems with the Midlands trans).
Does it feel like the clutch is slipping when the growling happens?

Given the milage, I'll second getting the fluid changed.
John

thanks for your reply! i need to have someone check the hydrolics and who knows it could be the clutch. i had a new clutch put in at 100,000. so now this clutch has 115,000 miles on it. i have changed the tranny fluid twice with in the last 6 months too.

i have changed the fluid in the transmission twice within the last six months. its going to be a regular thing

I have owned my car for just over 4 years. got it when it had 129,000 miles on him. The transmission is still the original, but at 100,000 miles the engine and clutch were replaced due to the previous owners stupidity. needless to say, i made out with a basically brand new motor put in by the MINI dealer!

the second clutch now has 118,000 miles on it so it could be clutch problems. i do not notice any slipping though with the clutch. when i drop the clutch at track day and get the tires spinning a little bit, the clutch does seem different and acts like it doesnt want to let go. thats only when i hammer on it so i dont know.

also i have changed the MTL twice within the last 6 months. i am going to do this often.

MY CAR IS A BEAST! I CALL HIM MILES COOPER.

I'm thinking a bearing in your trans is getting ready to take a dump. If you catch it before it blows, they are usually rebuildable. Good luck.

So useful.hehe.thanks for your share.