Should I feel the tranny shifting? I thought the whole point of CVT is for smooth shifting? Thanks

 

i feel mine go in low speeds, 30-40mph kinda area, just assumed it was normal, other than that i don't really feel it til i go into steptronic

 

I don't have a CVT.
I did read somewhere here that software on the mini cvt simulates gears for a better user experance....if something suddenly changed, I get it looked at. I have seen a few posts that there have been software updates to the computer that controls the cvt to adjust a few different behaviors...the answer you get may vary on the software installed.
Good luck.....
I recently drove a rental Nissan with a CVT...was actually pretty pleasant... It was not programmed to do fake shifts. The steady humm during most acceleration was not as bad as I heard it would be.

 

The CVT does not "simulate" shifts unless your put it in Sport Mode. This is done by pushing the shift lever to the right. You then need to shift it manually. The computer will go to six preset ratios depending on road speed. I can't remember if up-shift is push or pull because I never use it. In normal Drive there is no sensation of shifting unless you pork it and hit the downshift switch under the gas pedal. Off idle feels weird, not like a torque converter trans. Its a mechanical link where the stepper motor in the trans squeezes the pulley to make it go. Supposed to be the most efficient trans available. Too bad they're so expensive to fix.

 

always wondered what that switch was!

There's also SD mode where you can feel the shifts, flick it to the right but dont shift gear using the ****, just literally flick it right til it comes up with SD on the screen and then put your foot down..increases rev range, torque and throttle response. aka get out my was mode

gotta love that mode

 

To add to my post, there are apparently some CVT equipped MINIs with paddle shifters. I have never seen one but recall mention here on NAM from posters outside the US. Also, my '04 does not have a separate switch to change trans modes. Maybe on the newer models?

 

my '02 doesnt either