I have just noticed recently my 2003 Cooper's gear shift shakes when I start the engine. Only when the engine is first started, it shakes quickly and then stops. Any ideas what this could be?

 

are u runnin' a B&M SS kit? cuz it will do this due to the solid bushing's on the shift box.

 

Nope. I have only changed the **** and the boot.

 

Is the engine idle low or rough when you first start the car?

 

Sometimes it is, but this shaking is not occurring when the car is idling. It is occurring as the engine is just starting. It only happens for a brief second, just about immediately after the engine fires up (right after I have stopped turning the key). It really probably isn't that big of a deal, but I just had never noticed it before.

 

it probably is not, ....a big deal but have the dealer l00k into it for ya!!
mine does it sumtimes during hard accelaration, (i do not run a B&M) also if its real cold out it might affect it too.........

 

Its nothing, all the cars do that. The shifter should shake violently thru most of first gear too.

 

I'm under no delusions that anyone was waiting with baited breath for the resolution of this problem, but here it is anyway:
The gear shift vibration at start up began to be accompanied by a very small ticking sound which sounded like it was coming from the engine compartment or perhaps under the car on the passenger side. I experimented a bit, and found it was mainly heard when letting off or getting on the gas pedal and only when the transmission was engaged, not when clutched or in neutral. This ticking sound quickly progressed into a full fledged rattle, only while the transmission was engaged. Finally, yesterday, I went over a couple of speed bumps here at work and I heard something fall off of the car. It was a large bolt (I assume a mounting bolt, and I assume for the tranny) that had come loose and fallen off. I went home, put it back on (very tightly, this time) and all is now well. Just FYI.

 

how did u know where this 'bolt' came from? had u removed this 'bolt' b4?

 

Yes, I had removed it before. Obviously I didn't tighten it enough when I put it back. It was a bolt, quite a big one in fact.