Hey guys, I'm a mini cooper newbe. Just bought a 03 off my parents that's sat for a while with a bad gearbox and a few other things. It's an S model 6 speed manual trans. I'm trying to order a new gearbox but I'm confused if I have the midland since it's an 03 or if it was converted to a getrag 6 speed cause I can't find anything about a midland 6 speed.

 

It's already a 6 speed Getrag. If you order a gearbox, the facelifted ones (05-06) have better gearing for acceleration. And some of them had LSD's. Although it was a rare option.

 

Oh good I will look for one of those. Glad it's not a midland based on what I've read. For anyone whose had to swap theirs is it a job someone could spend a day doing who is somewhat mechanically inclined? Otherwise how much would you say a shop would charge

 

I did it myself and took my time. IDK what the labor is because I don't like other people working on my car and my labor is cheap.

I REALLY recommend an LSD Since you'll have your gearbox out. It's incredible.

What's wrong with the current gearbox?

 

The gear box in it misses second gear I believe.

 

Misses? Like grinding? Shifter linkage? Won't go into gear?

 

I guess it won't go into 1st 2nd or 3rd. It will go into 4th 5th 6th and reverse tho

 

It also makes a weird sound apparently when it's running. I honestly haven't driven it or heard it. I bought it as a cheap project. I gotta ask what it sounded like again but I believe it sounded like disks rubbing together comingfrom the engine bay.

 

The more I read about mini coopers around this year it seems like it could be possible that my shift cables are loose are broken since I miss gears 1-3 but have 4-6 and reverse. Any possibility of this? Can't find a good thread on the topic or a how to

 

Moving you to the Stock Problems/Issues area.

If you have not already done so, suggest you do some searching on the issue of shift cables here or on google (usually sends you back here).

 

If your car is Just-a-Cooper that has had a 6-speed swap it could be the shift cables as a lot of things needed to be changed out to make the swap happen, the cables, I think, are part of the swap so if it wasn't done properly, there could be issues there.