Hey there, I feel ya! I had a similar issue with my 2012 Mini Cooper, just a different model from the same brand. I consider myself having some experience with cars and their weird behaviors. During my time, it turned out to be a faulty Valve cable connection. I took my Mini to my local workshop and those guys had me sorted out in no time. Ended up setting me back about 170 Euro, but totally worth it for a peace of mind and a smooth ride! By the way, could you share more details about your car? Like, how many miles you got on it, recent work done, etc. That'd help us nail down what might be up with your ride. Cheers!

Hey! Thanks for the insight! My Clubman's been driven for about 59815 kilometers so far. The last service was quite routine, no major replacements or fix-ups. In fact, it's been running like a dream until this transmission issue kicked in. Makes me miss the good ol' days with the smooth rides and no troublesome noises, ya know! Will definitely check the valve cable connection. Cheers for the tip!

G'day again! Yeah, those kilometers seem perfectly reasonable, and unless you've been really pushing that Mini hard, a major transmission component failure sounds a bit surprising. When my Cooper was acting up, it had a lot more miles on it! Makes me wonder if we're dealing with an external component failing, like you initially speculated with the transmission oil pressure cooler. I'd say it's worth giving that oil cooler a check - look for any obvious signs of wear and tear, oil leaks or hose cracks. Plus, have a look at your transmission fluid level and condition - dark or burnt smelling fluid could indicate a major issue. Pop into your local mechanic or take a stab at it yourself if you're so inclined! Keep us posted. Hope we'll get you back to those joy rides quickly!

Appreciate your guidance there! I'm going to check the oil cooler and transmission fluid this weekend. Fingers crossed it isn't anything too severe. I'll be sure to update the situation once we're back on track with those joy rides. Thanks for your support. It feels good not to be alone in this! Cheers!