Hi, My wife has just purchased a Mini Cooper (2003), she has only had it for three days. However, whilst driving it yesterday the gearbox appears to have broken. The gear lever has lost it springeness e.g. you move it to the left it stays there and does not return to center, also it is stuck in one gear only (3rd or 4th) I think. I have managed to get it back to where my wife purchased the car from (dealer). I am talking to them later today to discuss this with them as they were closed yesterday.

Does anyone know from my description what the likely cause of this problem is? If possible I would like to be for-warned before I speak to them, as I know nothing about mechanics.

Another problem I now have is having only owned the cars three days my wife doesn`t trust this car after whats happened in such a short time. Does anyone know if what ever is wrong with this car is common for Minis and is likely to happen again? As she is in two minds to keep this car or return it.

Apart from this problem the car is lovely.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Regards

Max

Apparently the Midland Gearboxes fitted to the Mini Ones and Coopers produced before 2004 are prone to failure. Usually a lot of whining from the box precedes failure so your symptoms sound less common. Hopefully a simple fix.

Hello Roger. I would say there's a broken linkage. I know you only had the car three days, but I think if there had been a really major issue you would have felt or heard something straight away. Let the dealer get it fixed (under warranty, I hope?) and then take it to a trusted garage and get it checked over (a "pre MOT" inspection?) to restore your wife's confidence.