Does anyone know what the dealers labor estimate in hours would be to replace a Mini Cooper 2003 Midland 5 speed trany. Thanks to anyone that can help me. Ron

 

I was quoted approximately 12 hours at my dealer for an MCS, so I'd imagine an MC should be about the same.

GotMINI

 

I would check with an Independant that knows Minis....I was quoted 2 hrs for a radiator flush that took me about 40 minutes including 3 fresh water flushes and pressure testing with a vacufill machine...Ain't the dealers great! Also was quoted 4 hrs for a pulley install that took my independant Bimmer tech about 2.5 hrs (a former Mini Mechanic that now works for him did it!) and he is good too! Next came a 1 hr dealer quote to program a virgin key to replace a lost one....I questioned that one since only a dealer can do it...response was" those machines are expensive!" I think that used to be called a cost of doing business.

I wonder if your quote includes a nap for the mechanic.....Unless you are one of the lucky ones with an honest dealer!

 

I actually took off the tranny myself with the aid of a friend, as we were in the process of replacing the clutch components on my MCS. It took us approximately two days, or 16 hours, to finish the job. We could have done it faster, but I wasn't in much of a rush and didn't want anything catastrophic to happen due to negligence. If I were to do the job again, I'm sure it could probably be all done in a single day, but I honestly believe 12 hours seems like a reasonable amount of time to remove and replace the tranny. Whether it can be done faster, I'm not sure, but I always advise people to look at all their options. You might be able to find a local non-dealer mechanic to do the job in the same amount of time, yet at half the cost.

GotMINI

 

You should be able to find a good independent for about $700. Dealers will charge $1000-1200