6 replies to this topic

[soph_nashhh]

so I'm buying my own mini next week, I've seen one i want. its an mini one R52, in red. the listing on eBay says in excellent condition, but has noisey gear box? could this mean i will need to get a new gearbox once I've brought the mini? or could it be something else? how much would i be looking at to get it repaired? 

[RedRuby]

I believe the early BMW mini's had a problem with their gearboxes, having said that the one your looking at is 14 years old. You will probably get better information if you try sites like mini2.com or totalmini as they are more for the modern mini, this site is dedicated to the classic mini. Good luck.

[Van13]

Hello you have entered your question on a classic mini forum not sure that you were aware

The gear box is hard to answer without more information or actually hearing it I would contact a couple of garages and ask them to quote for a gearbox replacement price
Even easier would get the car inspected first by a reptuable company who will go through the car and will give you a itemised list of faults then you can offer a fair price for the car

Personally I would look else where as the market is saturated with minis

[FlyingScot]

If it's an early R52 it's probably the midland box which is made from toffee and wear out fairly quickly.
Look elsewhere it's not worth it.

As noted by others above we are a classic mini forum so I'll move your post to where we keep non mini stuff.


Moving to Motormouth section

FS

[humph]

Having owned 2 R50 Coopers (same mechanicals as the R52 ONE but a hardtop without the ECU restriction) that had clutches and gearboxes I'd steer clear. Look up the differences between the pre and facelift first generation cars (R50, R52, R53) as this is important when it comes to the 5 speed boxes fitted to the ONE/Cooper model. As mentioned above the pre -facelift car, up to approx July 2004, had a Rover sourced Midland box which has a seriously high failure rate. After the facelift the box was changed, speaks volumes, for a 5 speed Getrag box similar to the 6 speed in the Cooper S, this is much more reliable. As has been said walk away, there are thousands of second hand MINIs on the market, be picky, only buy the best. All in I owned 5 MINIs, my wife a further 4, and the main thing I learned is walk away from anything that hasn't been serviced, shows any sign of neglect, or mechanical problems, there is no need to risk these cars.

 

A guide to the genreations can be found here.

 

http://www.mini2.com...ini_generations

Edited by humph, 18 April 2016 - 06:22 PM.

[mab01uk]

Also some gearbox info here:-

http://www.theminifo...ni-cooper-2002/

 

R50 MINI 2001-2004 have the Rover Midland gearbox which can suffer from bearing problems, from the mid-2004 onwards R50 'facelift' models a stronger 5-speed Getrag gearbox was fitted. The R53 2002-2006 Cooper S alway had a bullet proof Getrag 6-speed gearbox from day one.

If you need a recon MINI gearbox this company will swap it while you wait:

http://www.minigearboxes.co.uk/

 

If you find a good early MINI with a Rover gearbox change the gearbox oil (MTF94) to prolong its life......BMW said it was 'filled for life' like many modern cars but out of warranty there is of course no compensation if it fails due to noisy bearing wear. When the gearbox fails it sounds like a helicoptor.......I have an original Midland box in a 2002 MINI which has had regular oil changes and has a very slick gearchange. Many say a good Midland box has a nicer less clunky gearchange than the later Getrag box. It is possible to fit the later gearbox to early MINI's but you need to change mountings, clutch and driveshafts, etc to suit from a later model.

Lots of info here:

http://www.totalmini...nd-gearbox.html

 

 

These early MINI Buyers Guides may also help:

http://www.aronline....mini-2001-2007/

 

http://www.motoringf...3-buyers-guide/

Edited by mab01uk, 24 April 2016 - 07:04 PM.

[Scousemouse]

Just got rid of my GEN1 BINI 03 yes the MIDLAND BOXES WERE IFFY,mine had 102k miles on it so had been looked after.

The Midland box can't handle abuse it was produced for a very light vehicle(fiat or peurgo?) So not very good in the much heavier BINI.

First thing I did when I acquired mine was CHANGE THE GEARBOX OIL. 

Main Stealers say you don't have to? the box uses "LIFETIME FLUID"???? load of rubbish, 

So if your gonna keep it SOPH,   change the g/box oil every 3000 mile and DO NOT LABOUR THE box,be sure you drop it down a gear before it labours.

BEST BET DON'T BUY IT,

You can get 2 GEN 1 BINI'S for the price of a good PROPER MINI   without the hassle.