I have a HB/W '05 MC with around 1800 miles on it. The car drives great, but occasionally I have a problem getting it into 1st. The stick will just stop and I have to double-clutch it and move it into second, then first, to get it in gear. I checked for the usual errors - failing to push the clutch in all the way, not bringing the lever all the way to the left, etc., but nothing seemed consistent. It has also made a whirring noise since I picked it up. Sometimes I hear more transmission noise than engine noise in first and second.

I called my advisor and asked if they noticed the transmission noise when they drove it, but she said they only drove it to move it around the lot, so they really didn't have time to notice anything. I took it in for servicing to the MINI Center in San Antonio and the service advisor said he didn't like the sound of it, so he will order a new transmission. I'm bummed about the problem, and the hassle of driving 100 miles to the dealership to get it fixed, but I am very pleased with their service and willingness to fix it. They also gave me a free rubber trunk liner, so I'm happy. Their parts warehouse is in Houston, so Hurricane Rita might put a little delay in the plan, but they think they can have the part in less than two weeks.

 

Yeah that is common with regular coopers. Mine had that same problem. It also grinded into reverse. Something about not having a syncro for reverse.

 

I had to get a new tranny. It was not a tranny fault, but an axle seal that could not deal with extreme cold.

I 've got 20k miles on the new tranny, no problems

 

if anyone had ready my thread about my tranny.....adventure...the 05 mc's seems to have a problem.

I think i may have had a hand in accelerating the problem with my driving style, but according the classic mini, my 05 mc encountered premature transmission failure when the final drive casing split in half and sent parts flying. it required the replacement of the flywheel and clutch due to debris flying.

i was having the same problem requiring to double clutch into 2nd and 3rd gear and it was grabbing and making a nasty noiser shifting at RPM's higher than 5k.