I've heard a couple of funny noises on Zippeee!'s transmission, and wonder if I should be worried. A couple of days ago, while backing up I heard a short "groan" for about a second. I've also heard a slight "not happy to do this" grinding sound a couple of times while shifting into first (from a standing start). Other than that, I've had no problems and there's never been–knock on wood–a suggestion that it wouldn't actually shift or move, nor have I had any of the other transmission or clutch problems some '07s have had, such as the 3-2 shift noise. I called the dealer, and short of tearing it apart, there doesn't seem to be anything I can do to diagnose the sounds. It's not due for a fluid change for 40,000 miles, and it's only been 3 times in the past 3,000 miles that I've heard anything at all. I'm sure a drive around the block isn't going to show anything.

Still, transmissions seem to be the Achilles heel for MINIs. Hubby is inclined to do the fluid change "just in case," even though it's about $250.

Thoughts, anyone?

 

My 6-speed transmission (same as yours with LSD) was making the groaning noise and had noisy throwout bearing/internal noise. It's at the dealer right now getting a new transmission replaced under warranty.

 

Guess you lucked out having it replaced under warranty. Mine's out.

 

I have 2008 MINI S 6-spd without LSD. I had clutch problems (those are only problems so far). After 9 months since day 1, I got 3-2 shift noise so the dealer ship fixed it (they replaced few things) then about 1 year later clutch pedal replaced.

Some times I heard the noise from mine that what you described "....while backing up I heard a short "groan" for about a second....." but I can't duplicate the noise every time it's just random to me.

Should I be warred? because 4 months later my maintenance will be out, but warranty.

 

I guess I should have read your signature - 62k.

If you complain enough to MINI about the noise they may goodwill fix the problem. They should admit that the car shouldn't be having transmission problems at only 62k.

 

Ah, but that's the question--DO I have a problem? Hubby's the one who's asking.

I spoke to the SA again today, after he had a chance to speak to his mechanic. The mechanic says we should NOT do the flush because it might make things worse, and that it would cost $1000 or more anyway. I can't speak for the numbers, as my ears kind of glazed over at that point, but I really don't think I have a problem. The SA basically suggested we just hold on and see what happens, and call back if we can't live with the noise. Considering that I've only heard any sort of noise at all 3 times, I think (hope) he has given good advice. I suppose it could fail in some spectacular fashion in the middle of nowhere, but it might just keep going forever, too. I've never--again knocking on wood--had a clutch failure. And in 40 years of driving, only one truly noisy transmission--on a (shudder) Pontiac Phoenix, back in the 70s. Surely MINIs are better than the Phoenix, right?

(I know, don't call you "surely.")

 

That's how my transmission was. I wanted to at least mention this noise when I took my car in for the chain tensioner noise, just to see what they would say or do about it. I happened to get lucky and BMW authorized a transmission. We will see if the noises are gone when I pick the car up when it's finished.

If it makes you feel any better, I was confident that there wasn't a problem with the actual transmission. But then again, I am not a technician. The noises never really effected drivability. When I worked at the MINI dealer, several people came in and complained about similar noises. As far as I know, we never (or very rarely) replaced a clutch, flywheel, or transmission. In my 2 years there, I didn't see all but 2 failures on R56 transmissions - and those weren't the same cars that had noises.

 

You only saw 2 failures in an R56? That's remarkable, assuming that you didn't work there from 2002 to 2003.

 

Two failed R56 transmissions that had just completely failed - like grenaded

R50 CVT's, R50 5-speeds (the worst) and R53 6-speeds were an on-the-shelf stocked item. I think we always have two of each in stock at all times