4 replies to this topic

[rachyh89]

Hi all,
I'm new the theminiforum but am in need of help/advise. I am lucky enough to have a 1996 Rover Mini Mayfair, diamond white in colour, with walnut dash and velour seats. When I got her she'd only done 18000 miles and has now only done 20600.
Her body is in fantastic condition bar a few minor rust bubbles here and there (getting sorted), scuffed alloys, and slightly dented front grill and boot. The car was my disabled Grandma's (she had disabled controls on it) and she'd had a few minor bumps towards the end of her driving it. She bought it for around £5000 over 5 years ago and it has been kept in a garage and driven once a week down the road, until I took it on in Jan 2010.
*Just thought I'd give you some history on her (I call her Diana)*

However, in Feb when it was particularly wet weather and I was driving round Farnham (I spend half my time in Farnham and half my time in Lincoln) it started making increasingly frequent squealing noises when it appeared to be changing gear, and horribly loud, uncomfortable grunts, grumbles, and grunge’s when at junctions and going up steep inclines. I've been to various 'specialists' and have generally been told my auto gearbox is basically dying and I need a new one. Furthermore, the general consensus of opinion seems to be I'd be better off getting her converted to a manual if I had to pay to get the gearbox changed anyway.

My most recent diagnostic has been that the problem lies in the clutches for first gear and maybe second, as there's no noise/problem when she's rolling, only when moving from stationery. It was speculated this might have happened because she's been stood still for so long and now has all this sudden use.

I really don't know what to do know. I've always considered selling her and did try back in Dec 09 before she had any real problems, but there seems to be no market for auto minis. I now don't know whether I'd be better to cut my losses and try and sell her as is (if so how much is she worth?), get the auto gearbox replaced and maintain her as an auto (sentimentally this is what I would like to do) and try and find the right market for her as I understand it's out there somewhere, or invest in converting her to manual in the hope I would get my money back..

ANY SUGGESTIONS!! What would you do?

Thanks for taking the time to read

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[MRA]

A full strip down of the auto unit, inspection and repair would be the best way forward. The simple facts are that a lot of people are scared of auto's and don't understand them, as your's should be a 1275 SPi it has a good turn of speed and acceleration which would not only impress but shock a lot of the manual Mini drivers.

Another thing to consider is that for every auto changed to manual another piece of history bites the dust..

[ShoutforJoy]

I agree with MRA-Minis the best course of action is to strip down and repair the auto box. With so few miles on the clock it's not too likely that there's anything massively wrong with it. Converting her to manual will almost certainly not be as cost effective. The car looks very good and as MRA says it's a piece of motoring history.

If you do want to sell there is a market for autos you just need to be a little patient and advertise far and wide.

I would also suggest that you join the Automatic Mini Register - a forum that is dedicated to automatic minis where you can get free specialist advice on these fantastic minis

http://autominiregister.proboards.com/

Let us know whatever you decide.

[balpizar]

It is common in this car that the small but long hose from the computer to the vacuum box attached in the fire wall left hand side is the air filter, like a matches box is loose so the computer will not mix the fuel air and the car will show this problem,please check it

[MRA]

It is common in this car that the small but long hose from the computer to the vacuum box attached in the fire wall left hand side is the air filter, like a matches box is loose so the computer will not mix the fuel air and the car will show this problem,please check it

Agreed this is a part that can often cause running issues on SPi models, however this pipe will have no effect what at all on the squeeling which will be caused by seals that are failing