holy cow 110k that really gives me hope....even just to reach 80k would be amazing in my books

thanks for sharing

does anyone think that cooling the fluids via air-cooling would help? The shorter intervals sounds like a good idea...just wondering what else we can do for our transmissions.

 

How would you propose to cool the fluid? I am not aware of a source for connecting a transmission oil cooler to the CVT transmission.

 

I dont know...let me do some reading.

I just know that it was in a recent car tuning magazine that i read. Granted, i don't know if it would work with our tranny or anything. I'm just throwing out ideas for discussion in hopes that we can work together to figure this all out

 

As a general rule, if you can cool the transmission fluid, you will improve its ability to lubricate the parts it comes into contact with. But with the CVT, I am just not aware of any point where you could hook up an external transmission cooler. So, back to more frequent transmission fluid changes.

 

here's what i was thinking about....They say they are tranny coolers, and are great for ensuring longer life for autos. I just dont know the logistics of the CVT. If they work....the price is great. Only 50 dollars to cool the liquid down.

http://www.absoluteradiator.com/TransOilCoolers.asp?idDept=9

 

The URL you have posted is for a traditional automatic transmission that uses a torque converter and generally has a provision for connecting an external transmission cooler. Unfortunately, the CVT (to my knowledge), does not provide any point where you could connect an external transmission cooler.

 

oops i should have done some reading before making that post (sorry just got off a 10 hour shift at work ). Apparently the CVT comes fitted with a cooler already

Maybe getting a bigger, more efficient one is an option?

On page 24 of this great PDF: http://www.mini2.com/cvt/zf_vt1f_gea...escription.pdf

 

Actually if you look at the link i just posted above, the car comes with a cooler which has two holes for inlet and outlet to cooler. There is a pic of the two holes. It would be an easy plug and play if we found a more efficient cooler.

 

I saw the point you were referring to. When I checked realoem.com for an oil cooler part, it doesn't show on their parts list.... Wonder why (I am being rhetorical)???? In any event, MINI doesn't seem to provide an oil cooler for the CVT.... Now, you might feel comfortable taking a chance and tapping into the points on the CVT to hook up a transmission cooler, but that is something I would let you make the call on. For reference, I have included the link to realoem.com:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...06&hg=24&fg=15

 

CVT has a cooler, it fits right on top of the condensing unit for the AC. Here's a photo.

It comes off real easy, I'm not sure how easy another fit would be.

(edit) I just found the part on real OEM: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...=17&fg=05&hl=2

 

FWIW, my wife's low-mileage 2004 is on its second CVT. We noticed a rumbling/roaring sound when driving, and we believe it was one of the ones affected by (what I believe was) a fill of the wrong fluid in the transmission at the factory. I don't know if there was a service bulletin or not, but I remember reading rumors about this. They had to put in a ticket with someplace higher up advising what to do, and they said to replace the transmission, and it's been fine since then.

From another forum:Unless there's documentation elsewhere on this, consider it to be a highly suspect rumor, presented here third-hand. But if you could prove the tranny has incorrect fluid and can prove you never had it changed...

But I just checked NHTSA's website, and there were no MINI transmission recalls. So this could very well all be just rumor. At least the recall bit is proven false.

-W-

 

After the transmission gets used a few thousand miles, the fluid gets progressively darker and darker from the effect of heat. At that point, the only way to "prove" what type of fluid you have is with a chemical analysis. I don't know what a specialized fluid analysis would cost, but it is more than a $20 engine oil analysis, because you are looking for a specific chemical composition. It would be better to make sure all service campaigns on the car (especially those for the transmission) have been performed. And, don't forget an extended warranty for peace of mind after the factory warranty runs out.

 

I am willing to buy your Mini with the bad tranny if you haven't fixed it yet. I'm in St. Louis. Please call at 636-940-7654 and leave a message. Thanks. Kevin

 

Could someone tell me what difference there is between the CVT transmission on the MINI and the ones on the BMW's series 3 models. I am assuming the concept is the same for both cars transmissions, steptronic. Are the transmissions build by different manufacturers or what. I know there are different engines involved, but I would think BMW would have the same high standards for MINI as they do for BMW's. Are BMW owners having the same problems as MINI owners when it comes to this transmission.

Also I am near an inspection II for my car, should I have my automatic transmission fluid changed.

 

Do 3 series really come with CVT? I didnt know they already made that step, i thought they just stuck with steptronic slushboxes still.

 

I know this is an old thread but... If there is a way to remove the original cooler and install a B&M concentric plate-style cooler, they are MUCH more efficient than just tubes ran through a bunch of fins. I put one on a 96 Thunderbird that I had and immediately noticed better performance. I installed a B&M 18000 GVW rated cooler on that car. On a Mini it might be overkill but then again, you can't have tranny oil of any type that is too cool. That is, unless it's frozen.