Well, looks like my MINI is in need of some attention. The car is an 02 with 45k miles and went out of warranty in September of last year. A few weeks ago I took it in to the dealer because of a noise (thinking it was still under warranty)) and they informed me the transmission needed to be replaced (for $3600) and charged me $120 to tell me this. Well, it's at a transmission shop now and they diagnosed the problem as a bad bearing, and despite the dealer not selling any internal parts, they said they could probably cross reference the bearing after they pulled it out. Well, they just called and apparently are having difficulty doing so, and say they're thinking a new tranny is the way to go. So I've got a couple questions, any help would be amazing.

First, anybody know of another car the gearbox is in, or some way to source bearings?

Second, aside from the stock 5 speed that is in it, will a Cooper S 6 speed fit? What about the 05 and 06 Cooper Getrag 5 speed?

Thanks a lot for the help. If anybody knows of a used transmission sitting around I'm in the market.

Kyle

 

If you would like to forward me all the numbers/letters from the bearing, I may be able to help.

As far as the gear box interchange, not sure on the 6-speed, but I don't see any reason a 5-speed Cooper gear box won't work from any year.

 

Thanks for the quick reply. I think part of the problem with them finding a replacement bearing is that damage done to the bearing has also damaged some of the markings on it, I'm heading to the shop tomorrow afternoon so I'll see if I can get some more information on it.

And I was thinking the same thing about the gearbox change, but theres one on ebay right now from an 05 where the seller is claiming it will only fit 05-06... I have no idea how much of an expert he is on the topic though...

 

Do you have the last 8 digits of your VIN handy?

 

Get a Mini tech manual. No, not a Chilton's or a Hayne's. The official Mini tech manual should have part numbers and specs. They can be crossed over to other bearing manufacturers' of the same dimensions. *looks up* It sounds as if Partsman is on the same trail. The only other suggestions I have are...

1: Avoid AAMCO like the plague.

2: Ditto for Cottman's Transmissions.

3: If you are going to have it pulled out and disassembled, get the rest of the bearings, synchronizers, half shafts and clutch replaced at the same time unless they are all pristine. It's cheap insurance.

 

Sure do, 2TC37616.

Also, the ebay seller got back to me saying the 05 Getrag would bolt up fine but the drive shafts are a different length so I'd need to get those from an 05 as well. Any guesses on how much pats for that'd run?

 

Thanks, I only needed the last 7, i'm just used to saying 8 here at work.
Did they tell you which bearing was no good?

 

He didn't say specifically which bearing it was, I'll ask tomorrow, but if you've got some way of getting at the bearings I'll buy one of each.

 

Well, it seems that there are some available from MINI for the GS5-65BH gear box...
http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...83&hg=23&fg=15

http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...84&hg=23&fg=15

...these parts were looked up using your VIN, and according to realoem.com they are for gear box you have in your car.
I would double check that to be sure.

 

Wow, you're very right. I needed a little good news today! A friend of mine that works at a BMW parts department said there aren't any individual transmission parts available through his ETK. Very strange, but thanks a lot.

 

You're welcome. I hope that the one you need is available. Keep us posted.
BTW, Does your parts guy do MINI as well as BMW? If not, he can't look up MINI parts.
I also noticed that the realoem site has been updated, it includes the R56 now too.

 

just replace the trans your just giving yourself a head ache in trying to rebuild it

 

Go look at minimaniauk they offer a rebuilt tranny with improved parts for uprated power as the Midlands gearbox is prone to fail,it makes no sense to replace with the same if you intend to keep the car.

 

if you switch from your current trannyGS-65 to a newer (7/04)+ GS-52 you will need new axles, clutch components, lines, shiftercables, sensors, starter, etc. it is possible, but not a direct swap without all parts and a wee bit of experience