hi
I'm looking at an 03 mini automatic.
Does this model have transmission issues?
It has 60,000 kms.
Is the maintenance expensive?

would I be better to get an echo?

Help please!!!!!!

 

I almost feel like shooting my self by saying (typing) this, but yes the 03 Aisin Auto tranny is a weak link and it costs sevaral thousand to fix. I feel like I am telling you to get the Echo! The early Midlands 5 speed also had some issues, but the 6 speed Getrag on the MCS is fairly bulletproof though. As for maint cost, my dealer is $165 an hour, but I am under warranty still, for mods I use a MINI specialist for $55 and hour. If you post the city you are in, NAMers can lead you to a local MINI mechanic that charges affordable prices. But a funner car than the Echo is the Yaris.

 

I don't think the CVT is Aisin built is it? I was thinking it was built by ZF.

 

In 2003 the MC came with 5 speed Midlands manual transmission or CVT which had it's share of problems.

MCS was 6 speed getrag transmission only.

Can you learn how to drive a manual?

If not, a good automatic would be a high mileage 2006 Honda Civic Dx or Lx rather than an Echo or Yaris.

Maintenance on a transmission is not that expensive but repairs can be.
60,000 miles is quite a bit if it is all urban. Not bad if all highway.

Try searching for trouble with CVT transmission.

 

Run fast run far, get into an 05 or 06. The early models will cost you the same amount after the repairs are done. These little guys have no problem going 125-150k but you don't know how tightly that rubber band transmission was wound. Learn to drive a stick and get the 6 speed.