Busted CVT options
 

My R50 CVT went south. I put in a MCS 6-speed manual with a lightened flywheel. It's great. However, it occurs to me that the MCS Aisin autobox should also go in- anyone done this? It might take some fiddling, but it couldn't cost more than $7k-9k for another crappy CVT. Anyone?

It could work, but it would cost even more as you would also need to change parts of the cooling system to put the S Auto cooler. Also it would be heavier.

That has to be weighed (no pun intended) against the exorbitant cost of replacing a CVT. I think the GUI (and possibly the DME) might need swapping, too.

I can't wait to hear about this if you do it!:popcorn:

I'd like to know as well.

Question being(i think)... Can you swap out the Automatic CVT Trans with 2006+ Trans...is it possible?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but weren't the post-06 MINIs fitted with Pug engines? I think the trans fitment would be apples and oranges.

Why not just fix the CVT insteading of replacing the entire unit if cost is an issue.....?

Well, two issues here: finding parts is notoriously difficult, and finding someone to repair it if you can find parts is just as hard. Replacing it is about a $7k proposition, and even if you manage all of the above, you still wind up with a, ahem, CVT.

I successfully swapped CVT for Getrag 6 Speed
 

This weekend I just did the swap in my 2003 Mini - I got rid of that boat anchor CVT and replaced it with a Getrag 6 speed. Everything is back together, but I have to address the electrical issues. I think that its going to require an ECM and Harness swap, but if that's it, it will have been an easy swap. I used a dual mass flywheel and a 14 tooth clutch/pressure plate. Transmission bolted right up. I also bought a new brake/clutch assembly - it bolts right in and the master cylinder is part of the assembly. Lines ran up the firewall behind the Brake Master Cylinder where a grommet was placed to cover up the hole. The Brake reservoir comes equipped to accept the fluid feed tube, just need to cut the end off. New Axles on both sides. New Shifter assembly and your ready to go - Now I need to figure out the electrical part - I have power at the dash and I have no start. There are two plugs that are no longer needed (pictured) and I imagine that the ECM is not allowing the starter to engage because it thinks that the transmissions is missing - Any thoughts??

was this ever completed through and through?

We actually had a CVT Cooper come in last week busted, and will be swapping it to a 6spd in the next 2 weeks. So we will know all the REAL world problems soon.

good to know

Putting in the Getrag or Aisin?

Hi folks,

My daughters '03 w/CVT has developed a rough accelerate from a stop. After that, runs fine. I pulled a code mentioned 2-1 downshift. Mini dealer looked at it, recommend replacing - what a shock.

My daughter loves this car, it runs so great (less trans) now at 109K miles, never a major fail.

Has anyone any experience with www.minitransmission.com ?

Seems he rebuilds and ships.

Thanks all!

My experience tells me that if you tell most dealers you're experiencing strange things with the CVT they jump to saying you will need a replacement far too quickly. It doesn't necessarily mean you need to replace it (yet...).

I've heard of strange shift behavior sometimes being solved by driving in sport mode for a while (a day or two or more even). It can reset the computer adaptions. There is also a way to do this manually, but it's relatively involved. If you do a search here and at Mini2, you should be able to find someone describing the process I think. I know I've run across it somewhere...

What exactly happens during the rough accelerate?

Another known issue that can be repaired without replacement is the main bearing failing - a problem which I think mine is slowly developing.

I've never run across minitransmission.com. Looks like they could be an option.

I know this is an older post...

Do you know of a company that will repair them? As far as I know, nobody will touch them and they have to be replaced as a unit. Also when they fail they tend to destroy the internals as well. That being said, if you know of a place willing to fix it cheap then please post it up.

Disregard, I guess I should have read the thread. It looks like a UK site is doing this.

Hey thanks gknorr, I have run across the reprogram procedure. At this point cant hurt. My daughter lives on campus and I have the car at my house, so I have time to troubleshoot/repair.

These are my observations.

The problem really doesn't arise until 10-15 minutes of driving

When it does, from a standing stop, trying to accelerate normally there are 2-3 seconds of a feeling of being restrained, almost seemed ignition or spark related. After that she accelerates normally and does so at varying speeds.

By using this method, I can almost negate the issue:

From a standing stop, let off the brake, let the trans engage and when car begins to roll on its own, lightly feather the gas, increasing pressure until she is accelerating normally.

I did notice some rust on the coil and split insulation on 1 spark plug wire. Also, I believe the plugs are original :roll: (my daughter used to be 450 miles away in another state, hard for me to maintain it from that distance)

I've been emailing with John Tee from minitransmissions.com. He sent me a quote but I didnt mention shipping to the US. He said he had another quote for export. Hoping that one looks as good as the first he sent.

Keep watch here my friend, as I will be working towards a successful fix, whatever it may be. This is my daughters car, she loves it, and we bought it at a good price about 2 yrs ago. It is in awesome shape and just needs some basic stuff right now (less the tranny prob) :thumbsup:

Good luck. Many of us (including myself) seem to think ultimately the best fix if you plan on keeping the car is swapping for the 6-speed manual from an S :)

She didnt want a stick from the beginning so I believe thats not an option. Myself, I cant see why they even offer auto's in them. My '99 Ford Escort was a blast to drive with a stick!

Highly unfortunate!

how did the swap go :wink:

My win-the-lotto-dream is to open a shop specializing in doing something with these CVT (and other) sad MINIs. It would be called "Just MINIs- Take Your "S" elsewhere" and I would specialize in mechanical basket cases and maybe some light body damaged units as well. Troll craigslist, autotrader or ebay- you can pick up a non-running for whatever reason MINI for under 5k most of the time. Maybe with repairs it would be a break even thing at most, but there would also be the joy of bringing a MINI back to life and the ability to sell a car you could stand behind at a reasonable price to somebody who otherwise couldn't afford one. Did I mention that winning the LOTTO would be a big part of this? Also, I'm just a shade tree mechanic and would probably need some help. But the hours would be much better than I have now.

Val

lol i had a similar idea by just running a mini shop out of my garage, there's a guy in Belgrade, MT who started a shop called sunrunner Subaru back in the 80's. servicing subarus is all he does :)

This is awesome. Kind of reminds of the build-your-bicycle shops you can find in cities, but with MINIs instead.