Hello

I am new to this forum (my first day in fact!), so I hope I am posting in the appropriate location. I have a daunting question that I am hoping someone can answer!

Back-story: I currently have a beautiful yellow 2003 Mini Cooper base <3. It is my first car, and I have loved/maintained it properly. Unfortunately, I did not do my research before purchasing this used Mini (I was allured by the awesome deal I got on it...), and purchased one of the first generation Mini's with a CVT transmission. Suddenly, after absolutely no issues with the car, my transmission went out at 80,000 miles... The mechanic, who is a friend of mine, regretfully informed me that the only solution was to replace my transmission, which ended up costing me right around $4000. He has been encouraging me to get rid of my Mini ASAP :(.
My problem is... I love my Mini! Many people have told me that I need to replace my Mini, and go with a different brand of car. But Mini Coopers are just the cutest cars around, and if I have to replace my car I would really just like to buy another newer Mini.

I have read enough to know that a lot of the first generation Mini Coopers have substantial/expensive issues that they just plain should not have. Although I understand many of the first generation Mini's do not have issues, I am curious about how the newer Mini's compare.
I know buying ANY car is a gamble; maybe the car will never have any problems or maybe it will have every problem under the sun. But I am just trying to figure out if I have to replace my 2003 Mini Cooper, are the newer years (maybe 2008+?) more reliable than the beginning years? Also, what types of problems do the newer Mini Coopers seem to be constantly having? My fellow Mini lover, which year do YOU most recommend for me to purchase, and why?!

 

Welcome to NAM and congrats on owning a MINI.

I cant really give any advice on the 1st gen MINI as my 07 was my first MINI. But I can say that you're taking a gamble with any used car --especially with 80k+ miles. I wouldn't listen to what non-MINI owners say either as they have no experience with these cars and are just offering an opinion. And remember what you read on the internet is about 90% complaints because everyone always shares their problems. If MINI was really that bad of a car, people would just stop buying them, there wouldn't be such a cult following, and the resale value would not be among the best of any used cars.

And I'm just wondering, what reasons is your mechanic friend giving you for getting rid of the MINI? Does he have any evidence that something else is about to fail or is he just a Vdub fan trying to persuade you to join the dark side?

I've had plenty of cars and trucks in my short lifetime, and my MINI is by far the favorite. Since the day I got it I cant imagine owning anything else.

Almost 5 years later, I have 38K miles, had the timing chain replaced on my last day of warranty @ 35K miles because it rattled(common problem), and replaced the drivers side door lock actuator because I had a window dipping problem. If I was to buy a used MINI, I would look at 09 and newer, preferably 11 or 12. But everyone has a budget, so do your homework, research, check service documention before you buy, and get what fits.

As long as you're happy, it doesn't matter what others think.

 

If you just had the transmission replaced why sell now, seeing as you love the car?

And the whole "old vs. new" question begs the question, "What is you budget?"

Making the assumption that this is you everyday driver and that you need reliable transportation to get you to and from work this was my thinking when I was "financially challenged" -- I can afford car payments or I can afford car repairs, but I can't afford both, so given the choice between the two, I'd rather drive a new car!

 

I agree with the Rev. Also the 2008+ MINI Coopers (Non S) seem to be more reliable than the S models. Also the automatic transmissions in them are much more stout than the CVT's in the early models.

 

Welcome!
Every car gets problems. Wait long enough and something will break. Problems can get fixed. The car should be more reliable afterwards.

You just invested $4k in your mini on an unscheduled "mod". I'd want to get my money out of it before selling it. I use a car payment as my bellweather. Are the repairs more than a car payment? In this case, yes. $4k is a hit to anyone's budget. So, I'd hope to drive your Mini for another 14 months ($300/month * 14 months = $4200) at a Mini-mum. Your new transmission better last longer than that.

What is your mechanic seeing that would make him recommend ditching your mini? Are there future repairs you already know about?

 

Hi and I'm so sorry to read about your CTV failing. I have been dealing with a failed CVT this past couple of weeks.
I pretty well knew that there could be problems but It didn't take away the joy and freedom, this little car has given me.
Have thought many of the same thoughts that you've described But when I figure cost and all the other things involved, I've stuck with my instinct to keep mine, forever. I figure I'm still ahead financially, with help from my service policy. I've figured in costs of contract, past repairs etc. I knew I needed an automatic and I knew I couldn't justify the cost of new. Also, figured that repairs could be in store, for any year, down the road.
Don't know your particular circumstances, so our thoughts can be very different on a lot of things.
Yellow is my next to favorite color and I know it's a little beauty.
Good luck to you.

 

If/when you decide to move out of your CVT Cooper, 05/06 are widely regarded as the best Gen 1 years. Drive a Gen 2, as well... but if you do, 2011+ are supposed to have most of the big kinks ironed out. Personally I prefer Gen 1 cars, but that's pretty subjective.

Good luck!

 

I've had no experience with CVT's except the desire to open "Just MINIs" (the second line on the sign would be "Take Your 'S' Elsewhere!") in order to buy up and rescue all the R50's with bad CVT and Getrag transmissions- and others that look like they are worth saving as well. I think the R50 is a modern classic and that it's sad that so many otherwise good cars are going off to be parts donors. Better check my Lotto ticket!

Anyway, $4000 is pretty cheap for a CVT replacement, from what I've read. Find out what your mechanic is going to put in there and how much warranty it has. Don't put in just another used CVT, it should be rebuilt in some way; I know that there is an outfit in England that sells what are supposedly good rebuilds or new ones. If you go that route don't forget to change your CVT fluid every 20 to 25K (were you doing that?) and I have read that the CVT fluid from Redline is better than the Esso fluid they came with. It's a special fluid, not regular ATF.

While the mechanic is in there he should replace the lower control arm bushings (I recommend the PowerFlex pre-pressed ones from Way Motor Works) as well as the sway bar bushings. Should add less than $200 or so and the difference in handling is noticeable.

With regular fluid changes you might even get more than 80k out of your second transmission.

Val

 

Regular fluid changes seem to be the requirement for the CVT to live, but we have a couple in our local MINI club, one that gets tracked regularly and now has close to 200K on it, and one with about 150K on it, so they can last if taken care of.