I have a 2015 F56 JCW with almost 40000 miles. I plan on doing a brake flush and automatic transmission flush with my next oil change. I have a trusted independent shop but I called the dealership just to get a quote. SA told me that Mini Coopers do not need to have the automatic transmission flushed. Anyone ever heard that? Or is it time to find a new SA?

 

On paper, yes. It is a whopping life time ATF lol. In reality, it is better to flush it. You SA is just going by the book, nothing more.

Check newtis.info for procedure and such.

 

I did the shop-recommended ATF flush on my R56 @ 100k miles -- it was gawdawful expensive ($1100 as I recall, $900 was for the fluid) and it shifted more poorly afterwards.

An anecdotal story, but from my point of view this was not a win.

 

I bought a used 2008 Cooper S.automatic with the paddle shifters. I was the fourth owner and it had 90,000 miles. Evidence pointed to it being driven hard over it's lifetime. I found out it was supposedly a lifetime fluid in the transmission. Then I realized, the transmission was still working perfectly. So I forgot about it. But I questioned it too.

 

I do my atf drain and fill every year. Feels a little bit better after changing the oil.