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MG MGF Technical - Gearbox Whine on Stepeeed

I have a one year old MGF with the stepspeed gearbox. On journeys of over 60/70 miles and, when the needle on the oil gauge reaches 110/120, the gearbox sometimes whines. It is most noticeable when changing down and also cruising at low speeds. It disappears on acceleration, but it is most probable drowned by the engine noise. There is no noticeable drop in the cars performance. As seems normal with intermittent faults the noise disappears within a few miles of the main dealer. The dealer has been for a test drive twice but not for 60/70 miles and can find no fault. They do say that this type of gearbox does whine especially in built up areas when sound bounces off buildings.

Does any other stepspeed driver have this problem?
John Thackray

John,

I have an X plate Stepspeed, I have not experienced what you have described at all, just last week I drove all the way from Kent to Devon and back without any funny noises.

One thing I have noticed is that when cold in normal auto mode the transmission seems to squeek/whine at just under 2000RPM, but this goes as soon as the engine is upto temp. I asked the dealer and they just said it was a normal trait of the transmission.

If it helps by all accounts it would appear that the Stepspeed transmission is very, very reliable; I have not heard of any problems other than these noises!

Nigel
Nigel Kidd

John / Nigel,

I've a March 2001 Stepspeed. Just done 830 miles over three days travelling up the north/west coast of Scotland. No problems and no noises from gearbox.

Weather a bit overcast, but had hood down for most of the time. Can't think of a better car to tour in, particularly over steep and twisty single track roads. If I had to complain about anything it would be the brakes.

David
David Clelland

p.s. I thought my car was a "steptronic" - when did they change to a "stepspeed"?
David Clelland

David,

'Steptronic' was a BMW name, hence when BMW sold Rover MG, the name was changed; I bought mine as a Steptronic as well, I think it sounds better.

I agree with you about the steep and twisty single track roads, and about the brakes, but I had great fun driving it through Exmoor last week!

Nigel
Nigel Kidd

Nigel,

While on the subject of Stepspeeds (or Steptronics), am I right in thinking that they are quite high geared? Under normal driving conditions mine sits at 2000 rpm up to about 50 mph and then, presumably when it's in top gear the engine speed increases. At 70 mph it sits at 2600 rpm - any cars that I've had in the past would be nearer the 3500 rpm mark at this speed.

Last Sunday I atended the MGCC Caledonian run round Cowal - left mid-afternoon and drove down to Campbelltown. On Monday I travelled via the scenic route to Loch Carran (Crinnan, Oban, Fort William and Plockton). On the Tuesday, Gairloch, Ullapool, Inverness, Fort William again, Glen Coe and home. Car never missed a beat and returned 36.3 mpg. Considering the types of roads that I was travelling on, I'm sure I would have had a sore left ankle if I'd had a manual gearbox.

The stepspeed might not impress the boy racers (17 - 70 year olds) but you can't beat it for getting from point A to B with the least amount of fuss while enjoying open top motering.

David
David Clelland

This thread was discussed between 30/07/2002 and 04/08/2002

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