My brother just bought a 06 Mini Cooper Checkmate edition. It has a auto tran in it. How good are these trannys? It feels like it bucks a little when you get on the gas then back off and then on again. Is this normal for tranny to shift like this?

 

These transmissions do not have a real great track record - a lot of failures. If he just bought it used, make sure he has the transmission flushed and replaced ASAP - that will probably fix his bucking issues. But it is a matter of time, just the way they are designed, they have a high failure rate (including my own).

 

how can i tell if it has a CVT transmission??

 

If it's an R50(MINI Cooper) an an automatic then it has a CVT.

 

So should I tell him to return the mini and look for a new one? Do all 1st gen auto have a CVT transmission? I know his is triptonic so all R50 are? Sorry for so many questions but a new tranny is a big bill to pay.

 

Am I crazy or not? I thought the 06's came with the Aisin auto???

2002-2004 Mini Cooper - CVT
2002-2004 Mini Cooper S - Auto not available

2005 Mini Cooper - CVT
2005 Mini Cooper S - Aisin

2006 Mini Cooper and Mini Cooper S - Aisin

 

I hope you are right. This way he can keep the car. Lets see who else can chime in.
Does any one know how I can check to see what tranny it has? VIN or where to look on tranny?

 

bump

 

The R50 Cooper has always had the CVT automatic including the R52 Cooper's up until 2008. Wikipedia is not always correct.

CVT Auto


Aisin Auto

 

The Aisin is used on the 2nd gen Coopers which began production in summer 2006.

 

well then he has a CVT.. So how often do you change the oil in the transmission?

 

As quoted from Motoringfile:
"Another option introduced in the 2005 model year MCS (starting with 01.05 builds) was the much debated Aisin 6-speed automatic gearbox. The gearbox offered mediocre performance (almost a full second slower than manual cars) but allowed for easy operation in heavy traffic."

Article here:http://www.motoringfile.com/mini-r50r53-buyers-guide/

So it appears that starting in 01/05 the MCSa's had the aisin, and the MCa's still had the CVT up until R56 was released.

So without much knowledge on the special editions, did they offer the "Checkmate Edition" in both S and non-S versions?

 

Yes