BMW Mini One / Cooper R50/53 Midland MA Gearbox Repairs
BMW Mini Gearbox Problems
The earlier BMW Mini (mk1) is notorious for it’s long list of common problems and includes the common failing 5-Speed manual gearbox. The BMW Mini Mk1 is fitted with a Midland box across all models including the Mini ONE and Cooper. This is possibly one of the most common gearboxes we see in our workshops.
The most common problem with these gearboxes is bearing failure and more often it’s either the pinion bearing or front bearing on the lay gear – you may notice a distinctive noise as they progress to wear out. If you do notice the problem in it’s early stages, the cost of repair is much cheaper than if you wait for the bearings to completely collapse.
Once the bearings collapse, it could as much as double the repair bill depending on the extent of damage it causes. We’ve seen gear-sets get chewed to bits and gearbox casings cracked – this type of damage is irreparable and new casings and gearsets can be very expensive.
Common BMW Mini Gearbox Faults
- Noisy Gearbox (Crunching / Whining / Grinding Noise)
- Not Going Into Gear (especially 2nd + 5th)
- Stuck In Gear (commonly 2nd + 5th)
- Loss of Power / Clutch Slipping
If the front bearing fails, your clutch may need replacing due to oil contamination.
Our BMW Mini Gearbox Rebuild + Free Fitting Service
We are able to fully strip & rebuild the BMW Mini gearbox. We use new genuine OEM components when repairing gearboxes to ensure each and every reconditioned gearbox meets & exceeds OE specifications. All of our rebuilt gearboxes come with a 2 year unlimited mileage warranty and free fitting in our gearbox service centre.
If you have a gearbox fault with your BMW Mini, call us today on 0203 815 9441.
Ajaz is a seasoned automotive electronics engineer with deep expertise in remanufacturing vehicle electronics. He has developed skills in all areas of the automotive field, from rebuilding hydraulic steering components, and mechanical gearboxes and reworking intricate vehicle electronics. Ajaz also acquired Bodyteq, a London-based vehicle bodyshop where he has developed extensive knowledge in automotive refinishing.
Alongside his automotive career, Ajaz has built a career in the IT industry, gaining accredited certification as an AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, Cloud Architect, and Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) specialist.
Hi sinspeed!
My 04 cooper has recently started to jump out of first gear when I go to pull away, Is this a common problem? If so could you send me a price list? Thanks guys!!
Hello Peter,
Thank you for your enquiry,
I have just sent over an email now with pricing and further information regarding the repair of the Gearbox on your Mini Cooper.
Kind Regards,
Jason
Sinspeed
We have a 07 cooper
Been told the bearing in the box has gone. Would like a price on this
Hello Pauli,
Thank you for your enquiry,
I have just sent over an email now with pricing and further information regarding the repair of the Gearbox on your Mini Cooper.
Kind Regards,
Jason
Sinspeed
I have a 2002 r50 mini cooper and is making a noise coming from either clutch or gear box when i press the clutch in the noise stops when i Release it rumbles a little bit ive bin told it could be cluch bearing or the gearbox woundering if you could price a recon on my gearbox thanks
Hi Dylan
Spot on advice really – we’ve sent you an email with pricing and information for the gearbox rebuild and a new clutch kit with a new release bearing.
Kind Regards
Jason
SINSPEED
hi I have a 2002 mini cooper in our work shop
we have just done the clutch on in
as I went for a road test it was all fine until I pulled over on the side of the road as I went to take off I found I could not select 1st or 2nd gear 3rd 4th 5th and reverse are all working fine
any ideas wound be most help full
regards mike
Hello Mike,
Thank you for your enquiry,
I have just sent over an email now with further information regarding the repair of your Mini Cooper Gearbox.
Kind Regards,
Jason
Sinspeed
Hi,
I have a mini Cooper 2005 with 65k on the clock, it frequently ‘jams’ when i put it into 1st, reverse and 5th gear. Would appreciate any advice.
Regards,
Nadia
Hi Nadia
Thanks for the enquiry,
It’s a common issue we can sort for you. We have sent you an email with pricing and information.
Kind Regards
Jason
SINSPEED
Hi,
I just purchased an 07 cooper with 6 speed gear box. only 35,000 on the clock. I’m not sure if it is me getting used to a different car or whether this is the start of a problem.
on a few occasions 2nd gear hasn’t engaged properly, feels like it slips out as soon as I let go of the stick and bring up the clutch. Im trying to find out if this is a common issue and how much it will likely be to fix. The car drives beautifully otherwise, no whines, rattles, bangs or anything, and all other gears seem fine.
Thanks
Hi Zoe
Thanks for the enquiry,
It’s a fairly common fault – I would say make sure you’ve always engaged the clutch fully before changing gear but if it’s only happening on the 2nd gear then I suspect the synchro has worn out and it will become worse over time. I’ve sent you an email with some pricing and information on how we can help.
Kind Regards
Jason
SINSPEED
Have started getting a wineing noise from my gearbox, gear stick feels very sloppy, grinding noise when going in to Reverse, now and then i have to let my clutch pedal out so can get in to first gear so it just drops in, when changing gears the gear stick is very easy to push in to gears doesnt have a nice tight feeling what would you Suggest, bmw mini mk1 03 mindlands 5 speed
Hi Jack
Thanks for the enquiry,
It’s a very common issue and one we can definitely get sorted for you. We’ve sent you an email with full pricing and information.
Kind Regards
Jason
SINSPEED
I have gear box rattle on a 5 speed getrag mini one box, i just replaced the release bearing and clutch, but the noise is still there. how much will it cost if i bring the box to you in person? many thanks.
Hi Garth
Thanks for the enquiry,
Sure you can remove the gearbox and drop it in, I’ve sent you an email with pricing and information.
Kind Regards
Jason
SINSPEED
I have the same problem, my gearbox is the getrag I think it is called. and it has a slight rattle coming from it.. can you please send me a price list too
Hi John,
Thanks for the enquiry,
We can definitely get sorted for you and have sent you an email with full pricing and information.
Kind Regards
Jason
SINSPEED
Just today herd a slight noise on my wifes mini one 52 reg done 90,000 bin told by a mecaninc its the gear box can you give me a price on the repair thanks
Hi Lee
Thanks for the enquiry,
It’s always best to catch it early, costs a lot less when it’s just bearing failure. We’ve sent you an email with pricing and information including our fitting service if you require it.
Kind Regards
Jason
SINSPEED
Hi
I am looking to buy a mini one and the man selling the vehicle says there is some whining noises in 1st and 2nd gear? What should i do about changing or repairing it?
Thanks
Piers
Hi Piers
Thanks for the enquiry,
It’s a very common issue and we’ve got an excellent repair option for this, which does come with a 2-year warranty for complete peace of mind.
We’ve sent you an email with full pricing and information.
Kind Regards
Jason
SINSPEED
email address is all lower case
my daughter has a 2004 1.6 mini one with a noisey Gearbox seem to drive ok just seems noisey
could you please advise on most cost effective cause of action .
regards
john
Hi John,
Thanks for the enquiry, and many apologies for the delay in our response.
It’s a very common issue and one we can definitely get sorted for you. We’ve sent you an email with full pricing and information.
Kind Regards
Jason
SINSPEED