I took delivery of a 2007 MCS manual (November build) a week ago. I love how this thing drives, but I have a few problems which I would welcome input on in advance of its trip to the dealer in a couple of days.

1. When it's cold outside (low 40's here in LA) and the engine is cold, it is difficult to change gears, especially between second and third. It seems almost to grind. When the engine warms up the shifting is easier but still somewhat notchy. I have driven only manual transmissions in my too many years of driving and have never experienced this before.
2. When I was sitting at a stop light yesterday, I heard an intermittent high-pitched squeal, almost like fingernails on chalkboard. I couldn't tell where it was coming from, but assume the engine area. It only lasted a few seconds and didn't recur or seem to affect the car's driveability. I have no idea what this might be.
3. Under the hood near the front of the engine there is a housing that appears to be made of aluminum. This housing has what looks like a tear in it and appears to have been hammered into shape. I am trying to attach a picture, but it's a little blurry as my camera was having a hard time focusing. Is this it's normal appearance?

 

1. is normal
2. I believe the sound is a water pump squeal. I'm having the same problem as are others. There are videos on youtube that display the sound, and those that posted the vids say the dealer told them it was the water pump. I'm waiting until it does it constantly so I can take it to the dealer. The dealer wont fix it until they acutually hear it.
3. that is your turbo/exhaust heat sheild.....normal

 

I like my Mini, but the fact is they have the worst manual transmission that I have ever had, and I have driven manual transmissions for 46 years.
It makes me wonder if I want to keep the car past the warenty time.

 

Care to elaborate on what makes it the worst manual transmission?

 

If you feel it is notchy take it back to your dealer and get it adjusted.

 

Ditto...?

I was under the impression the Getrag was a decent tranny....

 

History of R56 trannies. Might not be related but still fun to read:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=96638
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=106704

 

I have noticed the transmission is stiff on the cold starts, but forceful shifts works fine at that point. It seems most of the compact sporty 6 speeds have had some issues from every manufacture. I would say the getrag is pretty decent overall. After driving Honda's 6 speed that did a lot of 2nd gear grinding and often popped out of 3rd I like the getrag much better.

The housing is just a heat shield for the exhaust manifold and turbine side of the turbo and the hole should be fine. You could complain a bit about it to plug the hole, but I doubt it would make any difference.

 

#3 is normal. that is how the compound bend is formed on the heat shield.

the trans issue could be a problem. i have a customer here in Detroit that had her clutch replaced in her R56 at 7K miles. she has driven a sticks all her life and never beats on the car. driver error was ruled out. the noise could be the trans also. was the clutch in or out? i would have the dealer look at it.

 

I was idling in neutral with my foot off the clutch when I heard the squeal. However, I also heard it briefly with the clutch engaged, right after going through the intersection.

 

My transmission is very hard to shift(takes lots of force) when it is cold for at least 10 miles and after that is is very notchy( not sure that is the right word ) and is almost grinding gears, it seems like more than just the synros, the car has 8,000 miles and has been that way since new.
I have never had a manual this bad in any car or truck in 46 years.
If I had test drove one in cold weather I would not have bought, I don't think this is acceptable. I am not sure I will keep the car past the warrenty period.
I do really like the car and this has been my only complain, but I think it is a big one.

 

I love the way my trans feels and have had no problems here; of course our weather only varies from low 70's in winter to low 90's in summer.

 

We took delivery in June 2007 and the car was fine for about 3000 miles. When the weather became cooler we noticed a problem. When shifting into second, before the car warms up, it grinds. I only have the problem going from first to second and after the car warms up it is ok. The dealer has been no help and just continues to say our transmission is operating normally. Mini USA has been no help either. I have read other people have had the same problem and some dealers have replaced the transmissions. If anybody can offer some advice it would be appreciated.

 

MiniHa,

I have the exact 1-2 gear grind on mine, and my dealer said they couldn't duplicate the problems - because the car already warm by the time it's at the dealership.

I am bringing my car in tonight, I will see what they say.

mtgperson

 

I picked up my car from the dealer this afternoon. They also could not duplicate the grinding problem. They kept it overnight and tested it in the morning, but my problem doesn't appear when the temperatures are as mild as they were last night. I will just have to wait for some colder temperatures to see if the problem recurs and then again leave the car overnight. Maybe global warming will save me.

 

I just got my car back from the dealership this morning, again the shop foreman were unable to duplicate the problem, the service manager said I can bring it in again for test drive with a mechanic and leave it over-night, but if they couldn't re-produce the problem, there is not much they could do. He also offer to have a BMW engineering to test drive the vehicle if all else fails. But since my problem occurs only when cold, and it doesn't happen consistently, it'll be difficult to duplicate the problem. I suggested it might be the Syncro on the 2nd gear, but he said the engine sensors will pick up speed from the engine & the transmission, if speed is different there will be an error code stored. I am getting a little bit frustrated.

 

Dennis,
IF you're going to make a general statement like this, you owe it to the ENTHUSIASTS and OWNERS to at least back it up with something beyond a vague statement like you made below. Getrag transmissions are well made. They can need ADJUSTMENT.
I was speaking with a friend of mine who has been a professional auto parts man all his life. We were talking about my car, and he inquired about the six speed box. When I told him the mfr's name, he said that they build the boxes for Cummings diesels, and they are super sturdy, among the MOST sturdy anywhere. Basically, he said they are good and reliable.
So now that you're jumped into the lion's den with a hunk of meat in each hand, tell us about it.
My 07 MCS, picked up first days of April 07, shifts and drives flawlessly. It can't be a fluke. The only thing I've driven that shifts better is the box in my Grinnall Scorpion, and that's simply because it's an inline BIKE box that goes with the BMW K series drivetrain the car uses.
Now, fill us in.
Thanks... Surfblue

 

This is the first I have seen of this discussion, or I would have joined earlier. Along about the beginning of October I too started getting a grinding noise into second gear. Took it to the dealer, they could find nothing. Then 12/29 I took the car back in, and the shop foreman was able to duplicate the noise. He then told me the car would need a new transmission, current mileage is 8900. I just got a call from him on Friday, asking me to bring the car in, so they can swap them out.


My question to the group is, does anyone know what parts are included in a standard transmission swap? Will I get a new clutch? Curious to see if the new transmission and old clutch will sync up, or if I will have another service call because of that.

Saddened by the whole deal, but I guess I am happy they are looking to make it right.

 

MYMINI2007,
I am glad your MINI dealership is able to re-create the grinding noise, if you could let us know what is wrong with the transmission (at least) so we can go talk to the dealership, and they'll have a better chance of finding out what's wrong. At least they're fixing it for you, it's good to hear.

 

Certainly plan on that; I notice my grinding the most, when I wind the engine up above 3500 RPMs, is it possible the mechanic that is driving your car, is not getting the RPMs high enough?

Also, speaking with my uncle(who is a mechanic) suggested I change my transmission fluid to ATL Redline. It has a higher viscosicty, and appaerntly can fix issues such as this, in his past experience. I dunno, I would rather BMW worry about what the car needs, that way if there are issues down the road, I will have a leg to stand on. This experience doesnt upset me very much, I realize there are issues with all cars, to a degree, especially when you outsource a part, I know the frustration that you all are experiencing at this time, trying to get the SA to listen to you. Good luck, and I will provide updates as they become available..

RT

 

1-2 grind in cold weather is not that unusual, and I've had more than a few cars with that problem. A switch to synthetic gear oil will help. Redline is fine, but I use Royal Purple because it's more readily available. Make sure you use the same (or close) spec'd weight. Redline's MTL is 70W80, which should be fine, or RoyalPurple's Max-Gear 75W90.

 

Well, as you all may remember from the previous posts, I am set to get a new transmission on Friday. However the car wanted to go to the shop earlier. On my way home from work this morning, the computer threw a check engine light and the car stalled. I could not get the car to restart so I was towed to the dealer. So this is fairly disturbing since I only have 10,000 miles on the car. And the rental I got from Enterprise is horrible, it has been smoked in, and was very dirty...I hope the car is not in the shop too terribly long.

RT

 

RT
Really sorrying to hear about the problems, as if the transmission wasn't enough.
If you can I would take the rental car back and see if they could give you another one. I am allergic to smoke, it makes me terrible sick, so I can relate to you having a hard time with it.
Hope they have your car repaired quickly.
I to have transmission problems, and as far as the posts to change the fluid, why should I, the factory fluids should be able to do the job.
my hill assist brakes do not work, this is the secound time they have gone out, last time when they went out the DSC went out to and a reflash at the dealer took care of it, that was two months ago, and it has problems again.
I am 200 miles round trip to the dealer, I thought about this before I bought the car but didn't think it was a big deal as the hondas and subarus we have had the last 30 years have not had any problems, and I thought I was moving up in car quility with a BMW, not so.
The Mini is the most fun car to drive I have ever had and I do enjoy it but I will probably trade it in when the warrenty is gone, I don't think economically in the long run it would be a good car to keep, we normally keep our cars to 300,000 miles
Dennis

 

I agree with you, as far as the trade in time, I actually am going to list the car private party next week, if the car is fixed by then. I have a beat up old 89 Ford F150 that has never had any issues, that I plan on driving for a month or 2, until I decide what I can get next. I have been a driver for about 10 years, and have had just a few issues with the handful of cars I have owned, however I will never own another BMW product. I am just very cranky about this whole thing, besides the fact that I got soaking wet from the monsoon rain that came through, just as the tow truck driver arrived. Oh well now. I will keep you all informed.

RT

 

ha ha
got you beat, my 1983 f150 has 264,000 miles on it, don't drive it much because of the mileage but runs like a clock
good luck what ever you do
it is a shame because the mini is such a great drivers car, to bad the quality isn't what it should be
Dennis