Parked outside for the first time in the (for us) cold (16-20 F). When I started up this morning, the tranny felt locked up (03 MINI S, 5500mi). I have never encountered this (have had two cars with manual). Car was parked in first and it felt like it was not going to come out. Let the car warm a minute, and would try, never forcing it. After about two minutes, it came back into neutral, albeit with a little resistance. Let the car warm some more, and moved it through the gate. By the time I got to the garage where it is normally parked, it was shifing smoothly.

Any similar experiences out there? I have to drive cross country in about three weeks; should I get a check up on this?

thx

 

Sounds like you have ice in your clutch cable. This is a known issue (do a search for it here on MCO or on MINI2) and results from bad gaskets on the cable. Your dealer should be able to fix it by replacing the cable and/or gaskets.

As I've said before, the MINI in my experience is somewhat LESS than water-tight. Water/moisture seems to find its way into doors, clutch cables, and (unforuntately) ECU boxes.

 

My stick is a bit stiff for the first few shifts in 15 or below degree weather but I never thought much of it. I just thought my MINI was cranky in the morning. I wish I had known this might be an issue b/c my MINI just went in for its 10k service last Friday. Mine's not bad though. Maybe it can wait a few more months (9 tops)until my 25k service!

 

I had this on my car. It is water collecting in the cables and freezing, thereby making the linkage feel stuck in place. As the car warms up and the ice melts shifting returns to normal.
The only fix is to replace the shifter cables. Do not let your dealer tell you otherwise.
I had mine replaced and the probelm disappeared. They can contact Prestige MINI in Mahwah, NJ to verify. This is a known issue.
What I did was print up a couple of very long threads from here and from MINI2.com and faxed them over to my dealer. That'll convince them.

_________________
'03 MCS - LY/W "Fried Egg"

 

>>My stick is a bit stiff for the first few shifts in 15 or below degree weather but I never thought much of it.

OK guys, let's keep this discussion appropriate for family reading...

 

thnx for the MINI2 ref. Am reading through the posts now, waiting for my Service Rep to call (also checked the coolant res and found a lot of white residue on the heat shield). This will make another 2 for 1 visit (last go round: oil pump and boot latch).

On a somewhat related note: the Oil Pump repair was, at list $1350 (I snuck a look at the dealer copy of the printout). Let's assume the cable repair is $350 (two hours shop time, parts, etc). Coolant tank is $250, and latch is $250. That's $2400 in four months and 5500mi for a $24,000 car. Is anyone else a little worried about what happens, post warranty? Or does everyone figure that we will all have had some many parts replaced by then that all the kinked issues will be gone? PS, not complaining, per se. I still love my car. But if weren't for the warranty, I couldn't afford it.

 

>>On a somewhat related note: the Oil Pump repair was, at list $1350 (I snuck a look at the dealer copy of the printout). Let's assume the cable repair is $350 (two hours shop time, parts, etc). Coolant tank is $250, and latch is $250. That's $2400 in four months and 5500mi for a $24,000 car. Is anyone else a little worried about what happens, post warranty? Or does everyone figure that we will all have had some many parts replaced by then that all the kinked issues will be gone? PS, not complaining, per se. I still love my car. But if weren't for the warranty, I couldn't afford it.

YES!!

I've posted on this subject several times and I guess due to all of the "God! I love my new car!!! Yipeeee!" enthusiasm no one wants to think about this subject.

I think that there are three issues here.

1) MINIs (2002 and 2003 at least) seem to have their share of build/quality related problems. It remains to be seen if these problems will/can be addressed once-and-for-all via warranty OR if many of us are due to put up with a constant stream of fixit stuff for the life of the car. The jury is out.

2) BMW parts and labor are not among the cheapest in the industry. So, even expected repairs are bound to be relatively costly if one uses MINI parts and service.

3) The MINI may not be an easy car to work on. It seems that it may be true that even simple repairs require a large degree of dissassembly (i.e., time/labor). This is a (potential) cost of the neat design and "jewel-like packaging" of the car.

None of this is necessarily bad, and perhaps it should all be taken in stride given the fact that the MINI is a way cool car. BUT, it does undercut somewhat the notion that owning a MINI is a carefree experience suitable for those with a low tolerance for service and related expense.