I picked up my 07' MCS 4 days ago. Since day 1 I noticed the gearbox was making grinding noise when I let off the throttle during shifting and decelerating. It only happens after the car is warm. Does anyone have the same problem on their cars? I'm going to have my dealer look at it today.

 

Do you have a LSD? Some of the previous Gen cars with these reported noisy transmissions that turned out to be bad LSD's

 

I started noticing grinding sound while upshifting to gears 2 & 3. I notice this about 80% if the time. And I didn't notice this in the first 2 weeks of driving - seems to have appeared right when then break-in was complete. I'll be taking it to the dealer so they can have a look.

 

Yes, I do have LSD.

 

Bad LSD can definately make for a bad trip.

Ohhhhhh,..that was just sooooo cheesy!

 

So is it a faulty LSD?

Or is it normal for LSD equipped cars?

Thanks

 

Folks in the UK are having lots of issues with the gearboxes in the 07 MCS. According to the accounts on mini2.com, the flywheel is failing. The problem happens between 2nd and 3rd, and its intermittent. MINI has developed a fix but it apparently requires taking the gearbox apart. Check out the posts over at mini2 for more accurate info. Not saying that is what could be wrong with yours, but where there is smoke...

 

I've been browsing through mini2.com for a couple days now. My car doesn't have the grinding sound when shifting from 3rd to 2nd. I only get the noise when I let off the throttle while in gear. I went back to my dealer and had a mechanic rode in my car. He also heard the noise, and scheduled an appointment to have this look at.

 

Finally took my car back to the dealer. They topped off the tranny fluid and retorqued the axle support bearing. Unfortunately, they didn't test drive the car long enough (the noise appears after about 10 minutes of driving). Now, the grinding noise is even more noticeable. I can hear it even cruising at 60mph. I'll have to take the car back again early next week.

 

Tell us what they are going to do to fix it.

 

My clutch and flywheel were replaced for a similiar problem (3rd to 2nd gear crunch and various other assorted noises). It seemed to manifest itself when the breakin had completed. I am also equipped with LSD.

 

Did your car has the same problem? Also, how long did you have to leave the car in the shop?

 

Man, I've got about 1200 miles on my MCS and it's the smoothest running tranny I've ever had. You guys n' gals are scaring me!! - John

 

I have a feeling this is what's wrong with my car. Especially when you mention the word "intermittent". And that actually makes it harder to point out the issue to the dealer.

 

Man, I'm glad I stayed off LSD, lol. 4K and not a bobble.

 

I am hoping to get the MCS but with automatic. Will I have any transmission issues?. Or is it just with the manual. If I use the paddle shifters, will the transmission break down like what is happening with some of you folks.

 

I've now got 5k on mine and had no issue with the tranny (manual)

 

Not sure if you had a chance to read over there at mini2. Apparently the fix involves a new flywheel that can handle the torque put out by the S in 2nd and 3rd, as well as a new clutch (as krut mentioned too). Should be covered by warranty.

From what I also understand, MINI is addressing this issue which would imply either the fix above and, I can only imagine, changes on the assembly line. (one would think) It appears to be isolated problem with S's only.

 

Well, my car is ending up getting a new transmission after the 2nd visit at the dealer.
BTW, is there a way I can check if they put the LSD back after getting a new tranny?
I tried lifting the car up and spin one wheel (to see if the other wheel rotate in the same direction). I don't think this method works with the MCS' LSD.

 

question? i have owned my MCS for 5 months. today i'm traveling around 12 mph as i come to a stop. i down shift from 3rd to 2nd and i hear a sound. similar to a chair leg squaking on a hardwood or tile floor. i was able to repeat this noise each and everytime i downshifted only into 2nd. what gives.....

 

I am just tagging on this observation, I am prolly gonna be called dummy or worse (as long as they don't type it, who cares!).
Seems I remember that LSD equipped rear wheel drive autos had a noticeable trait. If you had both rear wheels off the ground and spun one, the other would spin in the opposite direction.
I maybe misremembering this, but I think that was so. Wonder if the same holds for MINIs?

 

I'm getting this sound occasionally on my MC (non-s) but going from 1st to 2nd. It only happens once each time I drive - shortly after I've started the car and shifted a few times. It is very brief, but sounds like the gears are not quite catching. I have the clutch fully engaged. I've got 1300 miles on it, and it's been happening for the past 1000 or so.

In general, I find the gear stick to be a little stiff and sticky - not as easy to shift like others have reported here.

Anyone else experiencing this on a non-S MC?

 

I experience grinding while upshifting to 2nd & 3rd. It is especially noticable when it is cold outside or the engine is cold. Started happening around 1k and I'm around 2k now. Going to the dealer 70 miles away is a pain, but I think I need to go soon to get thos issue and a few other ones fixed.

kimmc, if you take your mini to the dealer can you post here what was done to fix the issue you are experiencing?

 

I think I'm going to wait a bit to see how it plays out before taking it in. It definitely happens less often that it did the first week I was driving - but I'm pretty sure it isn't how I'm shifting - I can't reliably reproduce it.

Besides - I can't drive it now anyway - my temp tags expired and I haven't gotten my plates from the dealer yet!!! They are 'in the mail'.... sucks.

If I do take it in, I'll definitely post what I find out.

 

The OP has sold his car since the post? That's what his signature says. I am somewhat relieved that I ordered mine w/o LSD but it could still have tranny problem....hmmmmmmmm... not good.