Advice For A Friend

[DogKnight]

A friend and workmate of mine has a Mini Cooper. Just recently the transmission/gearbox has started to play up. According to her its making lots of wierd noises. Upon contacting both the dealership she purchased it from and a Mini repairer, she was informed the transmission is only designed to last 3 years in these cars (and since hers lasted 5 years she is lucky). They quoted her a total of $4000 for a replacement, not including any labour.

Is this for real? It sounds like she is being ripped off. However her boyfriend who has the same car had his replaced under warranty after about 3 years for the same problem.

If this is indeed the case and the official Mini transmissions will only last 3 years, surely there is an aftermarket one she could buy, or even get a custom one made. For $4k she should be able to get a custom one made that would last longer.

Any advice on this situation would help alot. Thanks in advance.

[R32Big_boy]

Find some workshops that specialize in Mini's. Look OS as well find out what they have done with similar problems.

[madbung]

Cooper s box or john cooper works box?...you'd think they'd be stronger.

[Nismo Racer]

www.mini2.com

[SABBAi]

A friend and workmate of mine has a Mini Cooper. Just recently the transmission/gearbox has started to play up. According to her its making lots of wierd noises. Upon contacting both the dealership she purchased it from and a Mini repairer, she was informed the transmission is only designed to last 3 years in these cars (and since hers lasted 5 years she is lucky). They quoted her a total of $4000 for a replacement, not including any labour.

Is this for real? It sounds like she is being ripped off. However her boyfriend who has the same car had his replaced under warranty after about 3 years for the same problem.

If this is indeed the case and the official Mini transmissions will only last 3 years, surely there is an aftermarket one she could buy, or even get a custom one made. For $4k she should be able to get a custom one made that would last longer.

Any advice on this situation would help alot. Thanks in advance.

Some friends of mine had the same thing happen. They went back to BMW/Mini and demanded that their car be fixed. They hounded and hounded them and they finaly agreed to replace it. However, it was not a free replacement. They had to pay $1200 for labour. Get her to mention that she is a female (obviously) driver, mention the car is 5 years old, careful driver etc....

It's a design fault with the gearboxes themselves. The early model one have this issue, with the later models not suffering this problem. I'd also check the wheel studs, as they shear off also. My friends mini has had 4 replaced. 3 on the front right and 1 on the front left.

[allblitz]

I have a 2004 Tiptronic Cooper, so far so good,

[DogKnight]

Seems though its a known issue with the clutch causing the transmission to screw up. Passed the info onto my friends. Thanks for the quick reply guys, really helpful.

[(OO)SKYLINE(OO)]

she was informed the transmission is only designed to last 3 years in these cars

LOL!

Last 3 years... Garbage. Guess shes not getting a Mini again.

POS!

Try these guys, they could help her out...

http://www.miniparts.com.au/

http://www.britcar.com.au/default.htm