I have a 2003 Cooper with an auto tranny with 58,000 miles.

I don't think the tranny has ever been serviced. Should I replace fluid and filter or just fluid only?

I have a reputable local tranny service shop who is willing to do it even though they've never serviced a mini. He'l use the BMW fluid. Should I let him or play it safe with a BMW dealer?

Please advise. Thanks!! Brent

 

I am not the last word on this but I believe the CVT trans fluid is unique to the MINI. Also an ECU update is part of the dealer service.

 

The CVT fluid used is Esso EZL-799 and the CVT holds 5 liters. I would let the dealer service it as there is a specific procedure including reseting adaptation values via the ECU.

 

Thanks to both of you for the quick reply. I'm definitley playing it safe and letting the dealer take care of it for $200.00 I only put about 5K a year on it so I shouldn't have to have it done again for a long while. -- Brent

 

Hello...I have a 2005 mini cooper S with 91101 miles on.
Recently, the rpm's have been missing and then the car sounds like its bumping and a small rev sound is heard.
I took it to my mini mechanic who did re-program the computer in the car and reset the adaptation. The issue re=appeared 2 weeks later. He suggested that his computer was not update and need a software update and that I should take it to the mini dealer where their computers are always up to date.
I took my car to the dealer in NY and he wrote down on paper, mini transmission bangs from park to drive, this issue was only part of the issue, the other part was the rev'ing in the rpm's where it sounds like its missing when breaking between 2 and 1 rpm's.
So, I pay to have the adaption reset, the mechanic worked on it for 50 minutes.
5 days later I am back on the phone with MINI and the words that came out of his mouth were, well, once we reset the adaption and we've done our part, the only thing left to do is to put a new transmission in it.
I challenge that notion, in that there are no SES lights on the dash, there were no "faults" read while at the dealer, and the issue is intermittently happening.
So, I am heading back on Monday morning to have the job re-done.
Is there any insight out there as to what I should be asking for in a more specific manner?
Some body , please help me. I can't believe that this car needs a new transmission. I coddle my mini each and every day.

 

You may want to lighten up the load.