If it turns out we need to have work done on our transmission.... Is this a common problem? We are thinking of repairing this mini and getting another mini for our second car ... we love driving the mini. Does anyone know if the current models have less issues?

 

http://www.clutchwizard.com/mini.htm

 

The OP wants to know about the transmission, not the clutch.

(I have the S and have not read up much on the Cooper transmission. Sorry)

 

So are you saying you don't feel the clutch and the transmission are related?

 

Yes it is. If it's the automatic or the 5 speed midlands one of which would be in an 03 Cooper. Good News if it's the 5 speed the rebuilt is better then the OEM. The Bad News, it's can only be ordered from a MINI Dealer. You can have a non-dealer do the work, but don't think you will save money buying the trans from a non-dealer. Unless you buy one out of a junk yard. Shop around the area and check with local MINI owners to try and find someone that's done one it might save you some cash. While the MINI is in a million parts it would be a good time to change the clutch too.

 

If its the midlands 5 speed then yes it's common for it to fail.

 

Of course they are "related," but the poster wants to know about the transmission.

 

I used to own a '04 Cooper CVT (Built: Jan '04) and the transmission was changed twice! The first one was changed around March '06 (Mileage ~ 30,000 miles) and then changed again around Sept '06 (Mileage ~ 40,000 miles). Thank God the first change was covered by factory warranty, while the second change was covered by parts replacement warranty.

I have since disposed of the Cooper.

 

Forgot to add - replacement factory parts like transmission, engine are typically "reconditioned" over here in asia, even though its covered by warranty and the job done by the dealer. yes, the replacement parts came from germany, but they are never new ones.

according to the dealer, faulty parts are shipped back to germany for repair and once repaired, will be used as replacement parts! not sure if that is the same practice in the States.

 

I think most of the parts we get here are brand new. I'm pretty sure the Trannys are new as well, because you can get a re-build one cheaper.

 

that was what the dealer initially told me - parts are new, but when i chose to inspect the part prior to installation, i noticed there were marks on the nuts and bolts. it was then the Mini dealer let the cat out.

a quick check with Honda in my country reveals the same practice!

Anyway, it could be limited to this part of the world, due to the high import tax rates. Imagine we paid close to US$72,000 for the R56 MCS! Back in 2004, the R53 was US$63,000! And half of that goes to the Government. WTF!

 

Just a Cooper? Midlands tranny is problematic. Mini switched to Getrag asap for the 05 and onward. MCS started with Getrag from the start. If auto, the CVT was dumped for Asin units.

All new manual MNIs come standard with 6 speed getrags. Asin for the automatics.

 

I had a 'replacment' trans put in a Honda under warranty and it has been fine over 50,000 miles. Most manufactures need to do something with the returned warranty trans and just rebuild. In many cases the rebuilds are as good as or better than new, our Honda trans is.