Cooper S gearbox issues

[Col 666]

I have a 2004 Cooper S with very low miles, had it 3 months now and done about 3.5k miles.
Just wondering if all mini gearboxes are notchy? Not a nice box at all especially when giving it a bit of welly in second you have to be very careful changing into 3rd, had it refuse to go in a couple of times.
Overall i am immpressed with the car apart from the tramlining and complete lack of traction in the wet!

Col.

[Hobzy]

Never had a problem with the gearbox on mine and trust me its had some abuse. Get rid of the runflats if you want better grip in the wet. Should help with the tramlining although if on 17s or above its one of those things. Funnily enough ive never noticed it though I know lots of others have.

[DavidLScott]

The only gripe I have with my wife's Cooper (apart from regretting not buying an S) is that getting into reverse is a pain and can prove embarrassing when parallel parking. It can take 4 or 5 goes to get it into reverse.

True to form, the dealer insists its Ok and we have lived with it. Over 11k it has eased a bit but it is still best to snick into reverse while still just rolling forward. Memories of my wife's old Mini with no syncro between 1st and 2nd - great on steep hills with traffic lights at the top.

[Twit]

Hobzy said:

Get rid of the runflats if you want better grip in the wet. Should help with the tramlining although if on 17s or above its one of those things. Funnily enough ive never noticed it though I know lots of others have.

Definetly bin the run flats, in fact if you are on 17 inch wheels bin them too. My Cooper S had 17s with run flats and sports suspension and the ride / handlingnwas shocking - truly comic in its crapness. Easily solved, get the car back on 16s with non run flats. Much much better, feels like the car should feel - no tramlining, brilliant turn in and just much much better.

[Ciao1]

Col,

I've exactly the same problem with the other halves car. Missed/struggled to find 3rd a few times. The car's booked in at the main dealers next week so may have a word then. (although based on experience and the fact they're useless they'll fob me off regardless!)