I have had problems with my MINI as of late. It has 74,000 miles. It has been bucking on cold start and hesitates when shifting gear. I have an automatic. I brought it to a local BMW dealership (No Mini dealership where I live). They said that I had to make a modification to my engine so he replaced the cylinder head cover and solenoid valves. He said the modification was vanos adaptation. This cost 1,300.00. A week later it begins the same behavior difficulty shifting, bucking but then gets better as you drive. So took it to the MINI dealer. They say its the valve block failed in the transmission the wiring loom is chaffed causing a slight short to prevent proper gear selection. They say this will cost 3,700.00 to repair. I want to know if this is a common problem in MINI. I know the S has had some difficulty with engines but that is a CVT and I was told I don't have that sort of engine in my car. I just don't want to be taken advantage of here if this is a common problem. Any advice?

 

Not sure I can be of too much help, but have not heard of those issue being common to the Gen 2 MINI.

The CVT is a transmission type and I don't believe they were installed in the Gen 2. (Could be wrong though)

The hesitation could be due to carbon build-up on the valves. Was this done?

You might get some informed answers if you post in the Gen 2 - Stock Problems/Issue forum.

Good luck.

 

Could be carbon, could be fuel pump.

 

The transmission isn't MINI it is AISIN which is basically a toyota transmission.
They are extremely reliable.

The dealer tends to start at the most expensive and work down. I would get a second opinion.