Hi motorers,

I'm going to pick-up my car this afternoon. It will have a new transmission & clutch.

My question is : Is there a break-in period on a transmission/LSD/clutch? Or I can push it a bit in the first miles?

Thanks for any help!

 

Quick bump...

I know I shouldn't bump it that soon, but I'm picking my car at 2pm and would like to know before...

Thanks

 

I think we're all nervous about saying; it's not a common circumstance. But since you're in a hurry, there are a couple of things you can do...

1) Check with a MINI dealer mechanic (even if the new tranny is being installed elsewhere). Alternatively, check with a tranny shop that specializes in front wheel drive compacts or sports cars (BMW would be great).

2) It probably should have a break in period just like the original tranny (and car) did. Unless you hear reasonable offers otherwise, give it 1k miles of gentle treatment. Instructions for that will be in the Owner's Manual.

Just guessing, but trying to get you on the road. I hope if nothing else, it will at least be a catalyst for more help...

Best,

-- Don

 

The clutch doesn't really have a break in period, but the advice about asking the mechanic about the tranny is sound.

 

Thanks Don!!

I'm leaving in 20 minutes and will go easy on the first 1k miles!

thks again

 

That is very good practice. The MINI owners manual (break-in section, page 92 of the 2005 Owners Manual) under the heading After a part replacement, states that: "You should again comply with these break-in procedures if parts mentioned above have to be replaced later in the vehicle's life." There is specific mention of the clutch (first 300 miles for it). I would also go easy on the transmission, since there is a process of the rotating parts (bearings, synchronizers, and gears) wearing together.

 

Very welcomed, I'm glad others have also spoken up...

Let us know how it goes.

NAM is great!

Best,

-- Don

 

Well, bad news...

I went to pick-up my car, but on my way there, my advisor called me and told me he went to testdrive the car... They didn't installed the correct transmission... It is missing the LSD.

So he told me to get to the garage and he would give me a loaner.

I rent an Entreprise Ford Freestyle for the last week(boring car btw). I got a 2006 BMW 325i loaner from the BMW dealer.

I should have my car back next week, on Wednesday...

 

Mmm, sorry, my sympathies... Well, at least the 325i should be cushy... How about a review, how does it compare to your MINI? (trying to take your mind off of your misery, and also, I'm curious )

Best,

-- Don

 

lol thanks for the sympathies

The 325i is really an awesome car! The ride is great. It handles good, has a somewhat powerful engine and good brakes. The interior is pretty and it has a lot of nice features... Except for the key & Start Engine button! (you have to put the key in a slot on the dash, then hold the brakes and press the button...) I think it sucks... They should have make it like Infiniti : "wireless key"... (just press the button when you have the key in your pockets)

Compared to the MINI, it is a completely different ride... The MINI handles and feels like a go-kart, while the 325i is still a sedan... Sure, the 325i feels a lot more comfortable and its engine has a bit more torque in the low-end range, but the MINI is more fun to drive.

If you ask me which one I'd choose, I would still take the MINI, but the 325i would be an awesome 2nd car (If I had the $$$ for both)

I'm really looking foward to get my MINI back ASAP, but the 325i is an awesome experience!!

I think the new E90 M3 will kick *** lol

 

I don't know if this is applicable, but when breaking in my '05 last year, I followed the prescribed procedures, and noticed that the transmission and I came to an 'aggreement' at about 450 miles - IOW, that's when it loosened up and felt noticeably smoother. Of course, YMMV.

 

Thanks! I'll sure remember this when I'll get my car back... Only thing is, my memory is only good for the about 1 year on such things... Hopefully, I'll get my car back before that

 

btw, here are some pics of that nice loaner...

 

Geh. I believe it's fun to drive, but... fugly?

I have my MINI now because I always wanted a BMW 2002 tii - the early chrome bumper years. MINI fits the bill w/out having to worry too much about rust...

well not too much anyway.

Hope the tranny works out!

 

I was going to get a 325i.... but at the end of the day (and even though the 325s are very nice.) I just plain wanted something fun to drive!

So far its been exactly that. My own personal go-kart.

 

Wow, thanks for the review and the pics. I have to say, BMW does make nice cars and we still may get one some day...

But after driving our MINI, everything else feels like a boat -- Even my 78 Spitfire. The MINI is just so tight. I feel like I need drivers' lessons whenever I drive our SUV.

We just got back from a day trip to see my mom, about 150 miles total. I drove both ways. When we got back, I still wanted to drive more. The MINI is just plain exhilirating. Sure it isn't perfect. But it's about the most fun a person can have on the road without a helmet.

I'm glad they gave you a nice loaner, and I hope you get your MINI back soon!!!

Best,

-- Don

 

Sorry to hear about the mishap... but at least theres only 2 days until you get the MCS back now...

You took your car to South Motors here on US-1 (South Dixie Hwy) and 162 Street? I hate that dealership, they gave me nothing but problems there when I used to go and get things fixed on my MCS and half the stuff they wouldn't even fix (with the 'could not replicate' BS excuse). So I guess it seems fitting that they would install the wrong tranny on your MCS...

For future reference, Idk where in Miami your located, but Braman BMW/MINI is MUCH better when it comes to service for the car. If it hadn't been for the fact that I live really close to South Motors, I'd take it to Braman.

 

** Update **

South BMW messed up badly!!! I got a call at 5pm from the advisor telling me my car was ready...

So I head up to the dealer, which is 45 minutes from my place, without terrible Miami traffic jams...

First, they managed to scratch one of my wheels... I was so mad! But it gets worst!!

A total bill of 1700$ for the install itself, which includes around 200$ for fluid (coolant, tranny, ...) Tranny (2005 with LSD) and clutch assembly were already paid in total 2 weeks ago.

Now the bad part :

As soon as I pick my car, I knew something was wrong... You know the shifter makes la "HH" pattern where the neutral is right in the middle of the ring. Well, this whole thing has move foward 2-3 inches... Enough to make the car in reverse, 1st, 3r & 5th gears very close to the dash...

I wanted to reverse to get out of the parking lot, so I put it in reverse, it grinded like crazy and the gear popped out. I thought that maybe I didn't put it in good, but I've never grinded a gear in 140k km and 3 years with the MINI...

So I put it back on reverse, and keep my hand on the shifter to make sure it would stay in gear... I get out of the parking lot, and I hear that weird and loud noise coming from the tranny. It sounds like if the whole tranny is not aligned correctly with the engine... And it gets louder as the RPM goes up.

At that point, I was heading back to the dealer... Mad and angry!!

At every single stops, the 1st gear would not engage, pop out and grinds like crazy...

It was 7pm, so the advisor was already gone. But at least, I got the 325i loaner back and left my car there...

Remember that last week, they also messed up, installing the wrong tranny on the car... This time, they screwed badly the whole install... You have no idea how mad I am right now!

I wrote an email to the service advisor and explained everything. I'll be waiting for his call tomorrow.

My car is out of warranty, and it costs me 1700$ for labor + 2600$ for the tranny... That's more than 4000$ for that crappy service, installation and techs.

 

Here's a picture of one of the problems I have now :

(The "after your repair" part is for the advisor...)

 

Here's the email I sent to the advisor... Let me knwo if it sounds rude to you

Hi Rolando,

I just got back from South BMW... I was going to pick up my car. Just to make sure, I am not mad at you, but I'm really pissed off at your garage!

First, you charged me 25$ for the rental car... I want this refund immediatly.

Also, someone scratched my wheel (front, passenger side)... There's a scratch 1 onch long, and a curb rash or something... Those wheels were brand new and I want to speak to someone who will amke sure the wheel will be repaired to march the original look of it... I know my car, I wash it weekly, and take care of them like if it was my gf (lol) Call me about this and I'll explain to you. These wheels are forged and cost a lot...The way it is damaged, it looks like someone hit it with an impact gun, because it's a perfect "U" shaped scratched...

My car is WORST than before... Before, the gears were hard to get in...
Now, the whole thing is bad. Here are the problems:

- The transmission is making a weird noise, really getting loud when driving.

- On reverse and 1st gear, it will grind like mad when starting or even worst, it will grind and get out of gear.

- The whole gears (see drawing at the end) is now too much foward.

Give me a call tomorrow after noon (12pm) and we'll talk...

I want my car back, but this time, I want it right. I could have play unfair and give a 0 on the service survey, but I think we can fix this together...

Do you realsize I paid over 4000$ for that repair, and it is worst than it has ever been before!?!?!

Got have a ride with it, and you'll see how bad is has been repaired. Would you accept this kind of thing for your car? I really don't think so...

Check out the little drawing I made to explain the part about gears pattern too foward... And don't forget to call me tomorrow around 12pm - 12:30pm. I understand this is not your fault, but someone somewhere didn't do his job right, and I don't want that person to work on my car this time. Give me the best tech you have and make sure to supervise the whole repair this time...

I don't care if this takes until Friday, I want it fixed the right way : No grinding noise, no gears popping out, and the whole gears pattern back to normal, not 3 inches forward and all fuzzy..

Go try the car and you'll immediatly understand...

Oh, and btw, I want a discount on the job... This is unacceptable!! Especially from a garage that charges 105$/hour. Remeber it's the 2nd mistake in a week on that car...

 

The e-mail is kind of "in your face" in tone. I would have taken a different approach. But in any event it is sent. One piece of advice for future reference - when you draft a written communication (with anyone, but especially dealer service staff), use the tone and language that you would want a judge to see if the issue is not resolved and you have to go to small claims court (or arbitration, or whomever) for resolution. You don't want to alienate the person you are looking to for satisfaction.

Also, any reason why you didn't purchase an extended warranty? You certainly would be ahead of the game (cost of the ext. wty. is about 1/2 of what you have shelled out for the tranny repair alone) by now. (And probably less stressed in the bargain....)

 

Yes, I really should hate got the extended warranty...

But it is too late for the warranty, and I spent a lot of $$$ on repairs since the warranty is over... I spent 800$ last March on a radiator fan, another 750$ on a shifter cables/bushing in July and now 4400$ on a tranny/clutch 2 weeks ago...

I also thought of selling my car but I love it and put so much effort an time on it that I can't let it go... I wouldn't think of any other car to get, and just love my MCS... Look at it, is it the nicest MINI you'Ve seen ??

You think it is a "in your face" email ? The way I see it, I spent 4400$ for that problem and got my car back with an even worst problem.... I just can't believe this and really hope the dealer will get this fixed...

No offense to you btw... I am just angry at the dealer and can't believe what is happening right now... It sucks but I'm ready for war now... And they managed to scratch one of my wheels...

 

Wow, thats really horrible. Sorry to hear about this 2nd mishap with your car and the dealer. I do think the e-mail is a bit "in your face" as described by camini-fan. However, I understand you are angry and so it seems like a normal reply when pissed lol. As you stated in the e-mail, I would push for a MAJOR discount on the labor. I'd push for at least 25% discount on the labor (not the parts) and for the wheel to be replaced or fixed at their expense. Oh and a free loaner until they fix their fvck up. Good Luck and I hope all is resolved quickly.

P.S: Where is South BMW? Is it the address that I post above? South Dixie Hwy (US-1) and 162nd Street? Yeah I had the extended warranty on my car and it's over now anyways.

P.S.2: Once I turn 18 I want to head to Moroso Drag Strip one night for their test and tune. Dunno if you've gone yet but its $15 and you can run your car as many times as you can get in that night. I hope to be going in like 2 weeks, if your interested (once you get this problem settled), you and BahamaBart could join in and we could run our cars for fun.

 

Why can't you get an extended warranty now? I doubt you would get coverage for your current problems (transmission); but going forward, at least the financial pain would stop.

I don't disagree with how you feel about the botched repair; it is just how to communicate that frustration. Remember, a third party (if it comes to that) doesn't really want to experience your frustration - they just want to get on with their life. So, you have to make things as easy for them to make a decision in your favor as possible. Sorting out your rants (even though they are entirely with merit) is not what you want a judge or arbitrator (or whomever) to be faced with. Because in a worst case, they will think you are a crazy and just find in favor of the dealer (it has happened before).

 

Daily update...

I just called the advisor... It seems they "forgot" to install clips that holds the shifter cables... He thinks that is why the whole shifter pattern is too foward... and gears would pop out and grind...

BUT, I spoke with one of the best shop I know (in Montreal) and they told me the cables were different for 2005... I just got these ordered... Bimmershop told me that will fix the problem and I should be fine after that!! Woohooo!!

As for the weird noise, he "forgot" to check on it...

And for the damaged wheel, I don't have any updates yet...