Just bought my very first mini!
This is my first post. Sorry if this has been posted before, but I didn't see anything when I searched.

Found a 2012 Countryman S All4 - auto w paddle shifters with 10k on it!
Anyway, doing some research on preventative maintenance and, of course, the "lifetime" transmission fiasco keeps coming up.

My manual says that the auto transmission in my model should never be flushed, but I keep seeing elsewhere that it can fail if I don't. I asked the Mini dealer how much a flush costs (so I can plan for it) and they refuse to flush it because it is against the manual.

So.... do I need to flush the transmission regularly or not?
If so, how often?
Are there any other preventative things I can do or any other issues to prepare for?
Does anyone else have the same model as I do that can offer any input?

 

I haven't flushed my 2011 R60 auto transmission and my regular service tech said i wont need to even think about it until i get to around 175,000 - 200,000 miles. I'm not keeping it that long...

 

Dang! Seems like if it needs to be flushed at all, it would be sooner than that. I figured either every 30-50k miles or never(like Mini says).

How many miles are on yours now? Any major issues I should look out for?

I'm with you though, I will probably be ready for a newer CM by 100k-150k.

 

Many manufacturers discourage the old school "flush". Honda is also one. It has to do with the way newer transmissions are constructed I guess. What IS done is a "DRAIN-N-FILL. Drain fluid, top off. Depending on transmission make/type it may require re-adaption procedures. Honda owners will sometimes perform this Drain-n-fill 2-3 consecutive times to ensure a decent exchange of fluid from the system.

I would and do mine ( including the Honda ) every 30-35k. There is no such thing as magical "life time fluid"....

 

We do have a friend who owns an automotive shop. He said they use an "exchange machine." Sounds like what you are describing. They hook up to the fill and drain sides and push fluid in which forces the old fluid out.
I would just sleep better knowing I have at least changed the fluid.

 

I've got about 119,000 kms (74,000 miles) on mine. No indication of any transmission problems and no significant other problems (other than regular maintenance items) since i bought it in 2012.

My personal belief is that the transmission should be flushed at 100,000 miles or 5 yrs, which ever comes sooner. I've followed that practice since the early 70's and have yet to have an auto transmission fail on me.

 

That's good to hear!
Like every vehicle I buy, there is always someone saying "Don't get (insert vehicle here) the (insert major part here) fails and it's expensive to fix!"
I just wanted to see how much truth there is behind the transmission "issue" and be as proactive as possible.

 

I would NOT flush it but simply replace (by gravity) the fluid every 30K miles or so and the filter every 50K miles or so. The transmission fluid replacement procedure is rather easy and not worth risking transmission damage by not changing the fluid.
I've been doing this with all my "lifetime filled" transmissions and they all shift great!
(2001 E320 with 200K miles; 2002 ML500 with 140K miles; 2012 LR4 with 75K miles and 2013 Countryman with 44K miles)

Sergio

 

Those machines use and design was set forth by EPA which can also end up "pushing" someones old fluid through your transmission from whatever transmission fluid they "pushed" before.....much like the machines they use for coolant flush / reclaiming....I am not a fan.

Better to have a standard drain and fill done....drain, replace plug, fill it up. Repeat if you want...reset adaptions. And don't forget the appropriate drain / fill plug crush washers to replace old ones before doing it. Probably a dealer item only.

 

Respectfully disagree.

Transmissions have CHANGED drastically since the 70's/80's and even the 90's sir....And this is a MINI, a car known for transmission issues.

Having worked 7 years for the service department at a dealership, the caveat is that if one has reached 100,000 miles with these transmissions one could be better off not doing it at all, and at some point moving onto another car....

At 100,000 miles one should have had at least two drain and fills and at 100,000 miles I would drop the pan, replace the magnet, FILTER and gasket....

 

yes. the r60 does need a fluid change, its in the service requirements at 90k miles. whether or not its a true "flush" by machine is debatable like above

 

Not all flushing machines are created equal. Some put new fluid in and collect old fluid without cross contamination.

 

Drain is obvious, but I can't seem to locate fill hole. And I have heard you need a special adapter to fill (Assenmacher Specialty Tools ATF 105 Mini & VW & Audi ATF Adapter about $30). Do you need to measure that amount coming out and does the fluid going in need to be of a certain temperature ?

 

I'm curious about the same questions. In my FJ I have to go as far as to jump the OBDII port and wait for a dash light to indicate proper temperature, then use the pans check valve to set the correct level.

I assume draining and refilling it with the exact amount is a good plan, but who knows.

 

I warmed the tranny fluid to 80C and drained by first removing the plug. Then I carefully removed the plastic tube that goes up into the pan and drained the rest. Only got about 2.5 qts out. I then proceeded to reinsert the plastic tube being very careful not to over tighten it. Then I screwed the filling adapter into the drain hole and pumped the exact amount back into the pan. I quickly removed the adapter and replaced the drain plug.
The tranny works perfectly fine and I intend on repeating the process soon. In another 10-15K miles I'll do a full pan removal to replace the tranny filter and pan gasket (after the warranty period is over).

 

Thanks. Good information !! I am planning to do it soon .
What type of adaptor to pump back to the pan?

 

This is the device I used for filling the tranny:


OEMTOOLS 24441 Manual ATF Filler System

 

Thanks. I ordered one !!