Sections: Uncategorized Aug 24th, 2003 12 Comments 
With the decision just announced that MINI will be switching from the Midland R65 5-speed in the current Cooper to a new 5-speed Getrag transmission I thought I'd offer some background information on why the Midland unit was chosen originally. This excerpt comes from Graham Robson's New MINI – a book about the origins of the new MINI and the development process that went along with it.
“BMW had wanted the car to have a Getrag gearbox, but we (the original UK engineers) put in the R65 gearbox instead, because it was $170/car cheaper, more compact with a two-shaft as opposed to a three-shaft layout, and no inherent cyclic vibrations, so a mass damper was not needed.”
“Because the design of the front-wheel drive Rover 75 had already been finalized around a new-generation Getrag gearbox – BMW had been patronizing this German specialist for more than three decades – the proposed link-up was logical, but the British didn't see it that way. The Getrag box, which would be all-new, would necessarily be costly and take time to develop.
The R65, on the other hand, was an existing major component, which was already being manufactured on the Longbridge site, and was in large scale use in other Rover Group front-wheel-drive cars. Originally a PSA (Peugoet-Citroen) design, it was well-proven, and well thought of.
Unhappily, it took Rover Group ages to convince BMW that this should be done, as there seemed to be a growing culture in Germany which (to alter George Orwell) stated: 'German engineering Good, British engineering Bad.' To many over-worked British engineers, it seemed, they saw an attitude which suggested that the only acceptable method was the BMW method.
On this occasion, though, Chris Lee (MINI Product Leader '96-'99) and his team stuck to it's convictions, produced rafts of evidence regarding costs, performance and service experience. Back-to-back tests, evaluations on the road and comparisons of torque capacities were all made. In addition, major improvements to the R65's change quality, a reduction of free play and healthy attention to warranty claim records were all needed before Rover won the argument.
Then, when the Cooper S derivative came along, the R65 couldn't cope with it's increased torque, and BMW had to choose a 6-speed Getrag gearbox after all…”
I think this is pretty fascinating insight considering that there have been various reports on some MINI forums about a rash of manual transmission failures in Coopers. This would seem unusual considering all the work they did on the R65 transmission and the fact that it's been called “well-proven, and well thought of”
steve Aug 24th, 2003 Link
I have been happy with my 5-speed.. It was on the boat when the recall came out so it was taken care of before I got my hands on it.. It would be interesting to see hiow different the Getrag will be.
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Ian Cull Aug 24th, 2003 Link
I still think the 6 speed Getrag in my MCS is not as easy to use as the 5 speed was in my previous MC. After 6500 miles, it cannot still be settling in …
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Rocketboy_X Aug 24th, 2003 Link
The 6 speed Getrag is really a different beast than the average tranny.. I'm not sure that the knotchy-ness of it would be a good match for the softer ride of a MC…
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Gabe Aug 25th, 2003 Link
You have to remember that many Coopers out there are ordered with SS+ anyway (the MCS suspension) so I don't know if that will be too much of an issue. It's also worth noting that the SS and the SS+ aren't that dissimilar in their feel either.
It's also been my personal observation that the Getrag 6-speed feels more like a standard BMW manual compared to the current 5 speed in the Cooper. I think this change will simply bring the Cooper inline with the feel and the MCS and other manual BMW products.
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Dan Dec 26th, 2003 Link
I think the new transmission is a great idea. I have a 2002 MINI Cooper and the transmission lost 5th gear at 5,000 miles. I don't even drive it hard. I have had so many problems with the car already and the dealer messing everything up that they work on. I am afraid to take it in for work. I took it in to have the rear chrome replaced because of cracks. I got it back with a ding in the side and screw driver jabs in the back along the chrome. They had to reshape the bumper and repaint it and it doesn't match on cloudy days now. I don't know if I should give up on it and get rid of it of what now.
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neonmike22 Feb 15th, 2004 Link
I've got to wonder. Since the motor is based off the chrysler 2.0 found in the neon, would the 6 speed bolt up to one of the 2.0s? Some of the folks looking to hop up their neons would benfit greatly from having a 6th gear, not to metntion sensibly spaced gearing.
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gabe Feb 15th, 2004 Link
From my knowledge the MINI's engine not based off of the 2.0L engine but the export only 1.6L engine found in Neons outside the US. BTW I would imagine they would have much more success using the 6 speed found in the Neon SRT.
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neonmike22 Feb 15th, 2004 Link
Which unfortunately doesn't fit between the frame rails! While i don't have any data on the neon, there is some weird car over in china that uses the 1.6 with the neon's T350.
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gabe Feb 15th, 2004 Link
ah – that would be a problem :) Well wish I could help. Best of luck!
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Graham Robson May 23rd, 2005 Link
As the MINI author whose book is mentioned above, I can confirm that the MINI’s current engine is not at all related to that of the Neon. The MINI engine, in fact, was especially designed in the mid-1990s, by Chrysler, and is built at a dedicated factory in Brazil. Originally, Chrysler were hoping to sell lots of Neons and PT Cruisers with the 1.6-litre MINI-type engine, but that hope was never satisfied. When the new BMW-Peugeot engine appears in 2006, the MINI-Chrysler link will be dissolved.
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Ed R Jun 14th, 2005 Link
Umm, Graham, the Mini Cooper’s engine is the same engine that was used, previous to the release of the Mini, in the European sold Neon. So, yes, the Mini’s motor is DIRECTLY related to that of the Neon.
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John S Mar 11th, 2008 Link
I have a 2002 Mini with the 5spd manual trans. At 81,000 miles I lost 5th gear and the transmission is making a grinding noise. The dealer puoted me 5 to 6 thousand dollar repair before they even took a look at it, Hmm sounds like they know what is happening, I have seen a lot of post with the same problem. Mini needs to take some responsibility for this!
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