Subject - My 05' MINI Cooper w. 5-speed Getrag - Transmission Noise Diagnosis

Complaint - On MINI Cooper R50/R52 vehicles produced from 07/2004 and equipped with 5-speed Getrag transmission, the following customer complaints may be encountered.

1. Grinding noise when the reverse gear is selected.
2. Rattling / grinding noise coming from the transmission area when the engine is at idle during a cold start. The noise disappears when clutch pedal is depressed.

Cause
1. Reverse gear was selected with vehicle still in motion. Reverse gear is not synchronized on G252 transmission. Prior to revers gear selction, vehicle should be stationary in order to insure proper engaement.
2. Under investigation.

Measure 1. Advise customer on the proper revers gear selection procedure ( refer to MINI Owner's Manual, page 56).

 

Is the reverse gear for the 6-speed synchronized? I haven't ever tried putting it in reverse while I was moving, so I wouldn't know. I've done that a couple of times in my Civic, where the car starts rolling back before I put it in reverse, and when I actually do put it in, I can actually feel the gears start to catch, and then theres a really loud grinding noise. Thank God for synchro's.