Well add one more to the list. My 2002 R50 5spd finally puked its midlands. I got the car in Feb with 38.8k miles on it. Before I hit 50k miles it started making a growling noise when in gear. I left town for a bachelor party and then ended up staying for a week of training the week following. During the first weekend I was gone I drove to my destination in a very intense rain storm and did not notice the noise too much as the thunder and rain was pounding. I got to town and noticed the noise was throttle and speed dependent and got louder and louder over the course of the following week.

The trip home was horrible, the noise was hard to stand as it just got louder and louder as the speed went up. I had talked myself into it being a throwout bearing. I got home at the end of the week, Fri night and Saturday before 8am I took the Master Tech for a quick ride int he car and he told me it was definitely not right and to bring it in on Monday if I could wait that long.

I drove the car over the weekend on Saturday and then returned home with an unhappy wife. She told me she could not even think because the noises were so loud around town and to take her home. On Sunday we drove the R56 and loved how it just seemed to work so much better

Monday I went by MINI and had another tech ride in it and he said it was just plain bad with a "wow" expression on his face. The SM drove it and immediately we discussed diagnostic costs (if not covered by my extended warranty) and well as my extended warranty that they honor there (EasyCare).

The fill plug was opened to see if fluid was present as it sounded like I had pebbles for bearing and they were lubricated with sand...horrible noises. The fill plug on the tranny had 1/2" shavings of metal sticking from its magnetic surface. The claim was opened and the rep came today to inspect and then process the claim. It is being covered, along with a tach display because the temp flashes occasionally or doesn't work.

I will look at the clutch when it is out and see if we want to replace it then or not. So bummer story but my deductible on the extended warranty is chump change compared to my ~$3700 bill.

I will post more as I learn it as well as pictures.

 

Wow... it seems Mini had Mickey and the gang build both the CVT the Midland trans. Glad it worked out for you with the warranty.

I hope the Getrag in my MCS is better built as some on NAM have said.

 

Especially concerning given the very low mileage as an 02 model. Any idea if the previous owner knew how to drive a manual?

 

No knowledge. For only 38.8k miles in 9 years I assume it was a winter/weekend car that was taken care of. That has always been my assumption with lower mileage cars. You what they say about assumptions though

All in all not upset at all, just out the $250 deductible and I will go ahead and put a new clutch in it when the tranny is out, only makes sense to. I think the shop time on a straight swap is around 10 hours, at least that is what they approved that they would pay for.

Any recommendations as to what OEM replacement clutch kit to buy?

 

I'm so glad to hear the warranty company is going to cover it. While I made my swap into more of a project than it had to be, I think a shop with a lift can easilly get that done in 10 hours, probably with time to spare. Working on the ground on my back, outside, in the dead of winter, I did mine in 18-20 hours. And I pulled the modular front end off, removed the engine with trans, and changed shifter cables (needed to drop exhaust) and installed a new CV boot. I'm thinking if you bring donuts, and talk real nice, maybe they won't charge any extra to fit a new clutch kit.

Speaking of clutch, I went Asian on mine (reasons for that). Most people here swear by Valeo. I personally like Sachs on the German cars I've done, but would trust Valeo without question. I'm not saying MINI is German (or a BMW), it just so happens that is where the bulk of my Euro experiance is.

 

The one they priced for me at the dealer was Valeo and it was just under $300 ($280 plus new bolts, qty:6 at about $1 ea). I was looking online for Valeo or Sachs.

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/sk...2K7034101.html
http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/sk...3-1792426.html
http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/sk...E52001201.html
http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/sk...E52151204.html
http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/sk...XEBMK1000.html

http://www.minicarparts.net/Parts/21....cfm?ref=nxtfb

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



I thing RockAuto is reliable and easy to use. I would prefer to buy from a vendor on here but they were a little higher on price. I honestly don't want to put more money into the car but it would be silly to not put a new clutch in it if the tranny is going to be on the ground, coming out of a crate.

So now, choices choices...help me please