hello, happen to be reading some of the woes of the midland transmission that i was not aware of. I have a 2004 but also noticed that 2004 mc's post july are not effected by this. My question, is there a #stamp that i can look at to see if i have the midland......thanks in advance..

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...vs-getrag.html

 

Post July 2004 is when they would have started production of 2005 model year. What is the build date of your car (on the sticker with VIN at the door jam)? If your taillights have backup lights, your car is a 2005 (built in 2004) with Getrag transmission. 2002-2004 had backup light in the center rear bumper.

 

ugh!!, i have the backup light in the lower rear bumper.I have the feeling i am always going to be slightly worried of a failure..

 

But on the bright side. When it does go. You can swap out for a Getrag for pretty cheap. 6 speed is cheap and bullet proof.

 

The Midland gearbox is easily rebuilt and like any gearbox, doesn't like to be punished and the BMW filled for life wont help, change the gearbox oil every 50,000km !

With the Midland, never labour the engine in 5th gear as this stresses the shafts bearing, always change down to 4th if you need to accelerate under 100kph (60mph).

If however, you have left it to the stage where the housing has been damaged (blown a hole in it) then your up for a new gearbox. John Tee in the UK has affiliates in the USA where you can obtain either rebuild kits, bearing kits or reconditioned gearboxes.

Whilst you can opt to convert to a 6 speed Getrag, its not a straight swap as you will need to change the gearshift and cables, clutch slave , right hand drive shaft etc so do your homework and cost it all out first before you make a decision.

Shoot John an email as he is very helpful and can provide the workshop info if you choose the rebuild kit option.

http://www.minigearboxes.co.uk/

 

thanks fellas for all the great info, i have just recently purchased my cooper and with very low miles for it being a 2004 (60,000)...with all the research i was doing as i have a wobble through the foot pedals in second gear, i first decided it was the bearing on the cv, then i shifted over to thinking that it was a motor mount, now i am thinking its the gearbox, but how could it be just one gear as first third forth and fifth are fine.....also dreams of autocrossing have sorta flown away knowing now what can happen to the gearbox.....

 

I auto-x and track my R50 before the Midlands died and tracked it after the rebuild and will track/auto-x again. They are tougher then most give them credit for. They are made of glass and good intentions, but very good glass and the very best of intentions. Drive it until it breaks then replace. Though, I'd start looking for parts now instead of later and do the 6 speed swap. That is my plan anyway.

 

thats kinda what i wanted to hear even if they where brittle..i have had friends burn through gearboxes back when a group of us where doing VW Rabbits but for myself never broke one in my life and with all the track days and autocrosses you might have thought i would have.....but those guys where really hard on there stuff, they did quarter mile and i did not, i stuck to the track....

thanks....