Looking at a 2006 Mini Cooper Base and cannot seem to get confirmation anywhere that the 2005+ Justas went to a Getrag 5 from the Midland produced in early 2004. Are the 5 speed Getrags in the base coopers as reliable as the 6-speed 2005+ in the MCS? If it's a yes, i'll be joining the mini community shortly!

 

The Gen 1 manuals are Getrag. 5 spd on the justa and 6 on the S.
Just because it says Getrag doesn't mean you can abuse the clutch though. That and TO bearings are wear items.

 

From what I understand Midlands to 2004 & Getrag 2005 onward.

 

That's what i keep hearing but no one seems to be able to confirm it. I read randomly that the production and installation of the 5-speed midlands stopped July of 2004 but there is no official press releases or documentation. The car at which I'm looking has 150K so i want to be sure the gearbox is good and not a point of concern given the mileage. I'll buy the car, change all the fluids and roll if it's a Getrag. My local mini mechanic seems to think they're all midlands but the 05-06 6-speed S but he even stated he doesn't know the Base Coopers very well as he works on 90% MCS.

 

My bad, right you are. Forgot all about the Midlands gear box. I'm so happy with my Getrag I became blind to all other possibilities.

 

The motoringfile.com gen1 buyers guide has the tranny info....
You CAN always type in the vin or the production date of the car (Located on the drivers side door jamb) into realoem.com......and look up the tranny type....
When the tranny changed, the cv joints also changed... Different number of splines.

 

P.S.
You mechanics does not know much about mini's....
The s ALWAYS had a getrag....just the GEAR RATIOS were changed for the 2005+ refresh cars.....

 

If I knew everything about MINIs this forum would be boring as he!!. So, I check in several times a day to see what up. Tell ya anything?

 

Your reading comprehension isn't good. The OP said 2006 base MINI.

 

I was talking about the line from his mechanic..and I answered his question prior...

 

It came up as a GS6-85BG/DG. Is that the 2005-2006 version? It's listed as "07/2004 R53 Cooper S Coupe W11 USA Left hand drive N" Could this be a early production 2005 model year? That's the whole reason i purchased the car; i was holding out for a 2005.

 

You done good. The W11 is often referred to, esp in GB, as 'the lump'. It and the Getrag are near bullet proof...with attentive care and feeding.

 

That's awesome news! I was worried. Everything i read said July 2004 is a split month, some have the old setup and some have the new. I fact, this thread had my head spinning:

http://www.minitorque.com/forum/f29/...t-guide-29996/

The interior of mine has the three spoke steering wheel (post-facelift) but a 2-Dial dash cluster (Pre-facelift) so I was torn as to what mine really was. It sounds like it's a good one with the revised ratios. Thanks for the help!

 

Key is...
Was it sold in the us as a 2005+ car...
My car (see my signature) is a 2004 built, 2005 model year...
Has the 2005+ facelift mechanicals, but has the preface lift interior... And one HUGE PLUS...lacks the dual stage airbags Thst all us cars got BUILT after jan1....the passenger seat has a weight sensor that fails...causes an airbag light...and us a $1500 fix.
My take...just make sure it is titled as a 2005+ model year car....and all is fine.

 

Good to know, thanks!

 

P.S.
Dash cluster is an option...
Chrono-pack was an option on 2005+ cars....gave you center oil temp/psi and coolant temp, and fuel...then you got a tack/speedo over the steering wheel.... But was kinda a rare option.
Most got the std center spedo or nav.
EVEY mini you look at is likely to be custom ordered from that era...so thousands of possible combo's. It was not till 2006 that dealers were pre-specking cars to sell on arrival (all early 2002 cars were)...they were sold with a 6+ month wait time from ordering...started production unsold...never mind arrived unspoken 4.
When I test a mini in JUNE 2004...THERE WERE 4 CARS ON THE LOT at mini...2 used cars, and a s and non s demo...they did not even have a cvt if I recall...i ordered it in lately July (I think) and took delivery Xmas eve 2004...of a 2005.

 

Steering wheel was also an option...2 vs 3 spoke...till the 2 spoke was phased out...

 

Interesting. Well the Autocheck and Carfax both state mine was sold as a 2005 model year so I got the car i wanted with the updated ratio Getrag. The rest was less important. The July 04 build date scared me into thinking it was a 2004; now that i know that an 04 and 05 are essentially identical with the ratios and airbag sensors being nearly the only change, i'm less worried.

 

You are in good shape. 2005+ cars are very solid.
Mine has been great! Congratulations!! Enjoy you new ride!

 

Now that you have that warm feeling down deep, here are a few things to keep you eyes on and don't panic if they need service 'cause everybody's Gen 1 motors need these addressed at one time or another. Power steering hoses, oil pan gasket, O sensor, filthy wheels from OEM brake pads, passenger seat air bag sensor mat, and if I think of something else I'll get back to you.


For a superior motoring experience when you hit the twisties you'll want to have installed a 19, or even better, a 22 MM rear sway bar and KONI FSD struts. They'll add 20 MPH and more to every crooked road you can find.
PS: Another good first mod to take care of is a pair of front strut tower plates to protect against strut tower mushrooming.
Visit the various vendors on the vendor directory. Many often have those items on sale.

 

Power steering pump was replaced at 50K miles by the dealer, would they have taken care of the hoses? 02 sensors were also taken care of. Oil pan gasket i will wait until it leaks, hate doing that lol. Filthy wheels, that's the cost of good brakes, i'm ok with that but see willwoods in my future. I thought the airbag sensor was a 2004 issue?

As for sways, they'll get handled with new end links. I always run Bilstein and eibach for suspension. I am a retailer for Bilstein's off-road products in my profession and have run their sport struts and eibach pro coils on my STI and e36 BMW and loved every minute of it. As for the mushrooming tower, does anyone make a strut brace? That was a huge improvement on my STI. Also, keep reading I have the equivalent to a JCW supercharger since it's an 05, all i need is a pulley?? So it begins...

 

Did you get a "base" aka cooper (r50) or an S...( R53)?!
THE S HAS THE SUPERCHARGER AND A 6 SPEED...getrag...(improved gear rato starting in 2005 model year cars)....
The base has a 5 speed...midlands till the 2005 MODEL YEAR....THEN A GETRAG 5 SPEED...
Airbag sensor was only an issue on post jan1 2005 PRODUCTION CARS....was not installed on the 2005 model year cars built in 2004.....

 

All is forgiven, it's my comprehension failed.

 

Changed my mind and bought a 2005 r53 Cooper S

 

My airbag lights are on waiting for funding. I was quoted in the neighborhood of $800. We'll see...
Strut plates and brace from Way:
http://www.waymotorworks.com/m7-strut-tower-brace.html
Pulley:
http://www.waymotorworks.com/wmw-pulley-package.html
While you have Way on the horn order a 'Light-in-Sight' as well. You'll be danged glad you did.
http://www.waymotorworks.com/lightinsight.html