2003 Mini Cooper R50

[gary1365]

I would have forgiven you if it was a corsa or something interesting but a VOLVO I’m disappointed.











not that I’m in much of a position to criticise others car choices right now

 

[svensktoppen]

Oy, all this kicking Volvo, lol!

Lovely cars, just needs to be a straight T5 or T6 And yes, the older S/V40 was basically a Ford that looked a bit odd

No mini though, that's for sure!

 

[Blackie]

I effing knew it was all going too well!

The gearbox has started to whine today in 5th gear under load at around 70mph!

I could stick in another chocolate midlands box at £150 and hope it does me, or I can stick in a 5sp getrag at around £250 or go the whole hog and do a 6sp conversion which improves the fuel economy as well as the drive for £350+

Either way I now have a long period of saving up ahead as it’s the wrong time of year for me to go ahead and do it!

 

[dub]

I effing knew it was all going too well!

The gearbox has started to whine today in 5th gear under load at around 70mph!

I could stick in another chocolate midlands box at £150 and hope it does me, or I can stick in a 5sp getrag at around £250 or go the whole hog and do a 6sp conversion which improves the fuel economy as well as the drive for £350+

Either way I now have a long period of saving up ahead as it’s the wrong time of year for me to go ahead and do it!

Time for the Volvo...

 

[Blackie]

Time for the Volvo...

View attachment 375867

The wife and my eldest son are both saying no. They are both saying “better the devil you know……” and telling me to just be patient, get Christmas over us and start saving for a new gearbag

My head is absolutely pounding over the stress of it.

End of the day I don’t “need” the car. So there’s absolutely no logical reason that I can’t just save up for the replacement box in whichever guise I decide to choose.

I’m NOT going for another midlands box. It’s going to be either the 5sp or 6sp getrag and all the parts that it’ll require.

That’s assuming that the box has its correct oil level. I haven’t checked that yet.

 

[dub]

If you're capable & from the thread you are, I'd get the 6spd if it's easy sourced etc.

 

[svensktoppen]

Time for the Volvo...

It's like the reserve car lurking in the background of all the TG challenges

 

[Blackie]

If you're capable & from the thread you are, I'd get the 6spd if it's easy sourced etc.

Money is my only stumbling block at present. Wrong time of year lol.

Plan in my head is to have it done by late spring next year.

 

[svensktoppen]

Volvo 240, small block V8, dustbin turbo, job done

Kids will love that too

 

[Bryan]

I have a midlands box in the shed that also needs new bearings. If you fancy the challenge of fitting a new bearing kit to it you're welcome to it so long as I get your old box back again. With it already being out of the car you can work on it at your own pace and go for the fitting whenever suits.

 

[pablo]

defo the box?

sounds like a minor inconvenience for a while anyway

 

[thefool1983]

I know the gearboxes are a bit chocolately on these, but for all the time it takes - maybe check the oil level. I had a polo here I was convinced was on its last legs and all was needed was a litre of oil in it.

 

[da.murf]

Change oil and some molislip and drive it on

 

[dub]

I know the gearboxes are a bit chocolately on these, but for all the time it takes - maybe check the oil level. I had a polo here I was convinced was on its last legs and all was needed was a litre of oil in it.

Was going to say, noise appears in top gear doing 70 odd, better than 4th doing 40

 

[Bryan]

The Getrag box also uses different gear cables and clutch to the midlands one. I don't know about drive shafts - these could be different too. Factor this in if you haven't already.

There's also no level plug. Drain it out and put 1.7L of new fluid back in. Give that a go first.

 

[svensktoppen]

A gearbox known as the Midlands box - surely there's a hint there

 

[Blackie]

A gearbox known as the Midlands box - surely there's a hint there

Good old Rover engineering!!

 

[Coog]

I managed to burst a brand new one in 10k miles.

 

[Blackie]

I managed to burst a brand new one in 10k miles.

Yea I’ve read that they don’t take abuse well lol

 

[Blackie]

I’m still weighing up my options in terms of gearbag replacement, but thinking about things I’ve decided that whilst the engine is out I will be replacing the timing chain, tensioner and guides.

These are another known weak point, so it makes sense to do them now.

I might do some of the wishbone ball joints as well because I’ll have plenty of room when the engine is out.

The shopping and price list is mounting! Lol.

Just wish I’d a shed to do it all in!

 

[svensktoppen]

Chain makes sense with it all out, assuming it has some miles on it by now too? Cheap (-ish, lol) insurance.

 

[pablo]

Engine out? Holy escalation Batman. Feels like a large investment for a car that won’t necessarily translate into lasting value.

Don’t rule out a bare minimum approach and just keep it all ticking over

 

[Blackie]

Chain makes sense with it all out, assuming it has some miles on it by now too? Cheap (-ish, lol) insurance.

125k miles on the car with no service history.

Engine out? Holy escalation Batman. Feels like a large investment for a car that won’t necessarily translate into lasting value.

Don’t rule out a bare minimum approach and just keep it all ticking over

From what I’ve read the engine out method is the easiest way to change the box. It can be done with engine in situ but is apparently a right pita

 

[Eamo_vxr]

Sell her on and get back to Vauxhall

 

[Blackie]

I hear what you’re saying but I’m caught between a rock and a hard place.

It’s can’t sell her the way she is. I simply won’t get any money for it, not to mention the fact that my wife is really digging her heels in over me getting rid, despite the fact she’s only been in it once and has told me she won’t be in it again lol. But crucially she knows how much I’ve loved the car.

Due to the work load involved, I don’t want to throw in another midlands box, even if it is just to punt it up the road.

I can get another midlands gearbox for around £150.

A rebuild kit is anywhere between £150-£200

For a little bit more money than that I could have a 5sp getrag box which are practically bullet proof.

For another £100-£200 I could have the six speed conversion.

Doesn’t matter what route I go down as it’s going to be extensive work involved and a good chunk of change.

So I either take a bad price on the car, save up over time to buy a replacement and maybe have to spend a chunk of change again to get it right, let’s face it I don’t have a good track record in buying cars in the last two years or more, especially at ones I can afford.

Or I spend a bit of money on a car that I know, a car that took surprisingly little to MOT, a car that everyone knows I’ve been enjoying.

I get the reservations with the last option and coming from a serial car changer I know it might be surprising that I’m considering it, but I feel I’ve no choice really.

Unless someone in the family dies and leaves a lot of money or some secret benefactor is going to give me a car or loan to replace it lol.