Here's what happened to me last night :(

Paulyh

So i was heading out to visit my Dad in hospital last night, about 7pm, i was going over towards Heuston Station. I hopped into my girlfriends 02 Mini Cooper and drove towards town. Now she had just got back an hour before from a drive to Balbriggin (from Clontarf and back). I noticed the car was chugging a little when I accelerated but it soon settled down so i though nothing of it. The Quay's were pretty busy with the people heading home after the match in Croke Park, so i decided to drive up Dame Street.

Everything was fine, i came to the traffic lights at City Hall, opposite Thomas Reids Pub at the corner of Parliment Street, and stopped at the red lights and when the car came to a stop i felt a clunk!! not a big clunk, but noticeable all the same. The lights went green, i started forward and got about 10 feet until the car slammed to a stop, the car behind me very nearly smashed into to back of me, in fact just tipped the back dumper.

So there i am, crippled in the centre of Dame street with a very busy mob of traffic all around me. I tried in vain to hobble the car around the corner, and then even to hobble the car over towards the kerb but it was jammed in gear. So with cars trying to get around me, beeping, and me feeling like absolute moran i put hazards on while trying frantically to somehow move the car, as the gearbox had shredded itself to pieces, with fluid pouring from underneath.

Now at this stage I was admittedly panicking, i'm usually very calm in these situations but i hadnt a clue what to do.
A kind Aussie on the footpath shouted, "your car is'nt going anywhere man" and started waving cars behind to go around, then two guys pulled up beside me in a lovely M3 and offered help. They pulled around the corner and ran back.
We eventually, with the help of about 7 people managed to push/ lift the car off the road to the side of City Hall, this is after by now about 10 mins sitting in the centre of the road.

So if anyone was stuck on Dame Street at about 7ish yesterday, I APPOLOGISE :o:o or saw me struggling in the centre of the road, or even saw me waiting 2 hours sitting in a Black Mini for the recovery truck that's the reason why.

I caught the name of one of my rescuers, its was Jules, so thank you jules and your mate for getting me out of a nasty bind. I had a look for you in Thomas Reids to buy you guys a pint but you were gone by the time i got everything sorted.




TL;DR.........gearbox exploded in the centre of Dame Street at 7ish last night, sorry if you were stuck behind me

MidlandsM

Sorry for your hassles man. Hope you get sorted soon.

Alanstrainor

Fair play to the lads who helped you!

Paulyh

MidlandsM wrote: »

Sorry for your hassles man. Hope you get sorted soon.

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Fair play to the lads who helped you!

Thanks, the recovery was covered on insurance and they are bringing it to a garage this morning so we'll find out the damage later
was very lucky though that it happened at fairly low speed, and not when my gf was hurtling along the motorway just an hour before, that would have been a disaster!! :eek:

Muckie

Not nice when the car "dies" Some people just stand and watch.

Great that some kind souls came to help you.

Weird how the gerabox seized, hope you get it fixed and an explaination

to why so i won't happen again.

ShadowHearth

Thats sucks m8. Its sooooo scary to get stuck in the midle of heavy traffic! sorry to hear about gearbox aswell.

Fair play to guys to stop and help. Its really really amazing! I have been in similar situation. 2 lads stopedand helped me to take car out of road. As it was stuck between exit and main road... But that was nothing with what you had yesterday!

Paulyh

yea it was pretty ****ty alright, i was just about to diall 999 when the guys pulled up, as thats all i could think of doing, i though at least the guards could direct traffic around me. I not sure if thats the right thing to do in that situation.

langdang

The early MINI's used a gearbox from the Rover parts bin - Rover Midlands R65. A version of this is used in some Citroens (saxo?) and peugeots (106?) as well as rovers and maybe some of the smaller MGs. Allegedly BMW wanted to use a getrag box (and did from 04 on) but used the R65 at a saving of 150 per car for a while.
They are not the best gearbox for this application - a little industry has grown up around reconditioning these boxes and replacing them.

It is also possible to swap in one of the better Getrag boxes but driveshafts etc need to be replaced as well for this to happen.

I know of a MINI specialist in Ballincollig in Cork that would sort you out, but don't know of anyone up in Dublin.

Paulyh

Its gone to Joe Duffy at the moment, and they are inspecting it as i type. So i'll know later on as the extent of the damage. But i'm sure it very expensive job, any idea of what the worst case senario would cost?? new gearbox and clutch??

mickdw

It will be a pretty scary price at a main dealer Im sure. I would have taken it somewhere else unless there is a possibility that they will cover some of the cost although by the sounds of it, its a pretty old model.

Anan1

Paulyh wrote: »

yea it was pretty ****ty alright, i was just about to diall 999 when the guys pulled up, as thats all i could think of doing, i though at least the guards could direct traffic around me. I not sure if thats the right thing to do in that situation.

It sounds like you did about all you could do in that situation. Good to hear people helped, I hope it's not too expensive a repair.:)

langdang

Paulyh wrote: »

Joe Duffy......i'm sure it very expensive job

I'd say so, especially if you stick with main dealer.

Paulyh wrote: »

any idea of what the worst case senario would cost??

Not really, haven't had to deal with it (touch wood), but paintdoctor who posts here is an expert and might shed some light on it.

Paulyh wrote: »

new gearbox and clutch??

I actually don't think you can get that gearbox new anymore, they are generally re-conditioned boxes I think.

I'd guess that pulling a box out of a scrapyard and fitting it without it being looked at internally is probably not a good idea - a reconditioned box with a warranty would be a better idea.

Paulyh

mickdw wrote: »

It will be a pretty scary price at a main dealer Im sure. I would have taken it somewhere else unless there is a possibility that they will cover some of the cost although by the sounds of it, its a pretty old model.

We though as its such a big job that the main dealer would be best, and they may give warranty with the new fitted parts, also it was hard to get a smaller garage at such short notice.

mikemac

Sorry to hear, sounds expensive job to fix so get a few quotes.

Nice to hear of the people helping you out.
I've certainly been asked to push a few cars and never refused.
Good karma and all that, I'll need help someday.

ShadowHearth

I think bmw m3 sow his little cousin im you, so he stoped to give you a hand lol

Fair play

New gearbox in dealership will cost a fortune... I presume it would be not so hard to find one in scrapyard?

CR 7

Muckie wrote: »

Not nice when the car "dies" Some people just stand and watch.

Great that some kind souls came to help you.

Weird how the gerabox seized, hope you get it fixed and an explaination

to why so i won't happen again.

It happens far too often, unfortunately.

http://youarenotsosmart.com/2010/03/08/bystander-effect/

I would always try to stop and help someone broken down, but I'm afraid it's unlikely the same would happen if it was me broken down.

Hope you get the car fixed. You'll probably be blamed for it though, for "driving it wrong."

Paulyh

Park Ji Sung wrote: »

It happens far too often, unfortunately.

http://youarenotsosmart.com/2010/03/08/bystander-effect/

I would always try to stop and help someone broken down, but I'm afraid it's unlikely the same would happen if it was me broken down.

Hope you get the car fixed. You'll probably be blamed for it though, for "driving it wrong."

thats an interesting link, and tends to be true most of the time.

langdang

ShadowHearth wrote: »

I think bmw m3 sow his little cousin im you, so he stoped to give you a hand lol

Fair play

New gearbox in dealership will cost a fortune... I presume it would be not so hard to find one in scrapyard?

I'd say the M3 driver probably thought there was a tasty lady in distress, was probably disappointed to see a dude behind the wheel!
These gearboxes are a known weak link - I wouldn't fit one straight from a scrappie.

Paulyh - were there any other unusual noises in the lead up to this?
Was there any whining or crunching from the box? Were certain gears difficult to engage?
Herself has the same car/gearbox and I'd be hoping to avoid something similar happening her! I must get the gearbox fluid drained and replaced, hopefully it won't show up too many metallic speckles in the old oil. I'm expecting some considering how many bad reports there are of this box, but fingers crossed!
The Cooper S has a different box so isn't affected.

Paulyh

langdang wrote: »

I'd say the M3 driver probably thought there was a tasty lady in distress, was probably disappointed to see a dude behind the wheel!
These gearboxes are a known weak link - I wouldn't fit one straight from a scrappie.

Paulyh - were there any other unusual noises in the lead up to this?
Was there any whining or crunching from the box? Were certain gears difficult to engage?
Herself has the same car/gearbox and I'd be hoping to avoid something similar happening her! I must get the gearbox fluid drained and replaced, hopefully it won't show up too many metallic speckles in the old oil. I'm expecting some considering how many bad reports there are of this box, but fingers crossed!
The Cooper S has a different box so isn't affected.

I'm sure they were very disappointed to see a 6 foot 15 stone dude or maybe they were'nt :eek:
but they were my heroes none the less

there were no noises beforehand, i had noticed that 1st and reverse were getting a little hard to engage, but nothing that would have made me think twice, i would have noticed anything feeling majorly different. the only thing was when i started the 'final' journey the car was chugging a bit, but then settled down, so this may have been the gears or clutch slipping??
but other then that, it was completely out of the blue. Just felt like the engine completely seized, wheels just locked with big clunk!!

I have had some pretty cataustrophic breakdowns in the past, i had a disaster of a Lotus Elise and have had violently blown head gaskets, bursting radiators, etc. and they were nothing like this!!

izzyflusky

LIGHTNING wrote: »

I remember something similar to me happened a while ago. I had to get out and push my car out of the way. The lady behind me immediately started beeping at me.

So I stopped pushing the car turned around and asked her politely:

"what do you think I am doing here? "
"I am pushing my car as it no longer works"
"I am not doing this for exerecise or fun, go around me"

Silly woman as If I wanted to be pushing my car up a hill on a hot day.

How were you able to keep so calm in the situation? I'd say most people would have snapped at the woman. Fair play!

Paulyh

A bit of an update:

Main BMW dealer checked out the car and got back to us yesterday evening with a price.....

€4000 :eek: for a new gear box fitted :eek::eek::eek: + :mad::mad::mad:

so luckily i ask for the number of one of the guys who helped me out who mentioned he was a mechanic, his price:

worst case senario €1500 :eek::eek::eek: + :):) obviously it will be a refurbished box fitted

MagicMarker

Paulyh wrote: »

A bit of an update:

Main BMW dealer checked out the car and got back to us yesterday evening with a price.....

€4000 :eek: for a new gear box fitted :eek::eek::eek: + :mad::mad::mad:

so luckily i ask for the number of one of the guys who helped me out who mentioned he was a mechanic, his price:

worst case senario €1500 :eek::eek::eek: + :):) obviously it will be a refurbished box fitted

Could be worse, could be your car!

Anan1

Paulyh wrote: »

so luckily i ask for the number of one of the guys who helped me out who mentioned he was a mechanic

I'm getting just a little bit suspicious now - i'd get on to the MINI owners club for some advice on who to get alternative quotes from.

langdang

MagicMarker wrote: »

Could be worse, could be your car!

No, I think it's worse that it's her car - he's probably in the doghouse since!

Paulyh, looking at the July/August edition of modern mini magazine, they have a guide to replacing the gearbox. Not suggesting you'd tackle it on the basis of a two page spread, but it mentions minigearboxes.co.uk

recon box - supply only - 325sterling, not including shipping

recon box + new clutch + fitting (they take your old box in exchange) = 595 sterling. Obviously these guys are specialists and have knacks to get the box in and out quicker etc.

Not saying that sending it to the UK is an option, but there's an idea of prices in a UK specialist. The box might be well worth getting from there tho?

Ronan|Raven

Same thing happened me last Wednesday.. driving down near the spawell as you approach the roundabout, changing down gears and was greeted by the most awful sound of metal eating metal....

To the kind soul who helped push me off the roundabout I wish I got your name, a gentleman.

Even in Neutral the car needed the clutch pressed in before it would move at all...

To the people roaring abuse as we tried pushing it away... you know what we were doing it or the fun.. to annoy you and ruin your morning.

I am ringing my mechanic today I am fearing the worst.

Paulyh

Anan1 wrote: »

I'm getting just a little bit suspicious now - i'd get on to the MINI owners club for some advice on who to get alternative quotes from.

I didnt get an answer from him this morning but it was me who asked for his number he didnt offer it. I have spoken to him since and am getting him to do a few bits and pieces on my own car.

so have sent the mini to a Mr. Gearbox place in finglas for 1300-1500 euros.
the damage was bearings went in the gearbox somewhere, so new bearings, and gearbox, oil may have gotten into the clutch so that might need replacing but hopefully not.
they have the parts in stock so the car might be ready tomorrow evening!! so they say anyway.

Owen

You're getting it repaired?

Personally, I'd be ditching the Midlands box in your car, and getting the more refined Getrag gearbox that became standard after the facelift in 04. It's a pity you're in Dublin, I'd have someone to sort that for a reasonable price for you in Cork in a heartbeat.

Pop over to http://miniclub.ie - one of our resident gurus there can give you mechanical advice based on the experience of doing a similar job.

jimmyw

Paulyh wrote: »

Its gone to Joe Duffy at the moment, and they are inspecting it as i type. So i'll know later on as the extent of the damage. But i'm sure it very expensive job, any idea of what the worst case senario would cost?? new gearbox and clutch??

Oh so that's why he's not on the radio at the minute, fixing your car;):).Seriously though not a nice thing to happen to anyone.Suppose your GF blamed you for this;).It sort of happened to me a few years ago (not gearbox fault) with a 94 civic going up a hill but not much traffic at that time.Got her going after a minute OR so.Scary stuff alright.

Paulyh

PaintDoctor wrote: »

You're getting it repaired?

Personally, I'd be ditching the Midlands box in your car, and getting the more refined Getrag gearbox that became standard after the facelift in 04. It's a pity you're in Dublin, I'd have someone to sort that for a reasonable price for you in Cork in a heartbeat.

Pop over to http://miniclub.ie - one of our resident gurus there can give you mechanical advice based on the experience of doing a similar job.

She getting a 'new' refurbished gearbox, and they are giving a 6 month warrenty on their work, so hopefully it will be a good job and have some piece of mind with the warrenty.

jimmyw wrote: »

Oh so that's why he's not on the radio at the minute, fixing your car;):).Seriously though not a nice thing to happen to anyone.Suppose your GF blamed you for this;).It sort of happened to me a few years ago (not gearbox fault) with a 94 civic going up a hill but not much traffic at that time.Got her going after a minute OR so.Scary stuff alright.

well i was'nt really blamed, these things happen and if it was'nt me driving it would have happened to her somewhere. and the fact that it happened at about 5 mph in heavy enough traffic proves i was'nt ripping through the gears...........................not sure who i am trying to convince here

Paulyh

gf just mailed me, getting the car back this evening!!! so will post when i drive it and see what its like

edit: Ah wait, maybe she wont let me drive it

langdang

Yeah, let us know how you get on!

Paulyh

will do......i'm expecting a car that feels totally different, for the better.

MidlandsM

Paulyh wrote: »

will do......i'm expecting a car that feels totally different, for the better.

nope, it's just a gearbox!:);)

rebel.ranter

Well it should feel better sitting in the driving seat with your hsnds om the wheel rather than with on the back windscreen!
Best of luck with it!

Voodoomelon

BMW dealers aren't allowed fix or refurbish gearboxes, all they'll do is put a new one in, hence the €4000 price.

Glad you had someone help you out, I take pleasure in helping people get out a fix. That bystander effect happened once in Dundalk, 2 foreigners had their car break down on the main street and about 30 people walked by in the 20 seconds it took for me to walk over and help them push it and get it started.

voteforpedro

Paulyh wrote: »

A bit of an update:

Main BMW dealer checked out the car and got back to us yesterday evening with a price.....

€4000 :eek: for a new gear box fitted :eek::eek::eek: + :mad::mad::mad:

so luckily i ask for the number of one of the guys who helped me out who mentioned he was a mechanic, his price:

worst case senario €1500 :eek::eek::eek: + :):) obviously it will be a refurbished box fitted

glad u didn't go to FK on the naas road as they would have proably asked for 6K min lol (my experience:mad:)

Paulyh

I think forgot to come back here and say how i got on.

So, we ended up going to to Mr Gearbox in finglas, the put in a reconditioned gearbox, and a new clutch for €1600, which was pretty good and gave a 6 month warrenty on their work.

So the car is still going great with no problems at all.

€1600 for a reconditioned R65 box and clutch is very expensive, was it an R65 or the Getrag unit they put in ? The weak point on the R65s is nylon caged bearings, I'll never understand why they didn't put steel caged bearings inthem, well I will, cost. Gearbox is actually of Peugeot/Citoen origins, Rover upgraded it when they mated it to the relatively powerful k series engines. Many start whining at 100K ish. When BMW ditched rover they kept the gearbox plant and charged Rover looney money for them, Rover then started using a ford box after a while. Considering the Mini was never a cheap car it was surprising that BMW went with the R65 in the early Mini given the failure rate. Steel caged bearings would have made a huge difference.

Stevie Dakota

€4000 from FK, what are main dealers like? I walked into a nearby dealer as I needed a number plate light bulb, he wanted €4 for it, when I told him my local factor charges €1 he just gave me that "You got me" look and gave it to me for free.

kona

From reading this youd swear Rover employed Lads with Junior Cert Technology to Design their gearboxes lol.:D

Glad to hear ya got sorted in the end, although e1600 for a gearbox is quite painful.

Can anybody give any links to the Gearbox specs between the Rover design and Getrag Design (bearing sizes and materials?). Id be interested to see

corktina

Rover?

kona

kona wrote: »

From reading this youd swear Rover employed Lads with Junior Cert Technology to Design their gearboxes lol.:D

As said, the box is Peugeot/Citroen derived, they did actually beef it up to cope with the K but failure after 100K ish miles is very common. The wear is largely independent of gearbox fluid changes too believe it or not.

Owen

And the midlands box is subject to very noisy layshafts too. And it crunches going into reverse all the time. You have to jam the clutch in, hold it for 2 seconds, then select reverse.

The later getrag box introduced better ratios for improving acceleration times, but increased reliability throughout. Still no synchro on reverse, that didn't arrive until the R56 was launched in late 06.