Hi everyone I have a 2006 MCS r53 automatic with 126k miles and after reading all of the transmission problem posts I have been getting nervous..First off I am trying to figure out what transmission I have for sure in my MINI. Next I have 126k and have never changed the fluid in the transmission and I was wondering if this is something I should do. Lastly many people have said I am driving a ticking bomb and should sell my car before it blows the 9000 tranny. I dont want this to happen but I was planning on keeping this car for the next 4-5 years I love my mini. Can anyone help me figure out what the deal is. Thanks all

 

That's the CVT auto transmission in the non-S. The R53 has a regular auto transmission with "normal" longevity.

 

Thats what I was thinking too. So the NON S has the CVT I know I dont have that.. How do I know exactly what I have. I was told today its the Asisn transmission in the MCS that also has ALOT of problems. I have a Automatic with paddle shifters so do I have a 6speed?

 

You have the 6 speed Aisin automatic transmission. It was the only auto transmission ever offered on the R53. The R56 and F56 (2nd and 3rd generation MINI) also use Aisin auto transmissions.

 

Decent tranny...kinda slow, but VERY similar versions of the same unit are used by vw, Audi, and Toyota....
Keep the fluid fresh....
Heat is the enemy of an automatic.....
Since you have no idea how the car was treated or used ( you can make an educated guess) you ate in about the same situation as ANY used car....
Some r53 cars did have tranny failures....but any tranny when abused will fail at some time...and a higher HP car that lends itself to aggressive driving as opposed to sedate commuting would (IMO) have a higher failure rate than most cars....and it does. Some folks DID have valve body issues...if yours has higher miles, I'd guess yours are fine....
Enjoy your car...all cars have breakdowns....only thing you can do is ensure that it is matained appropriately, and used as intended....

 

Thanks for putting my mind at ease a little bit. Do you think I should change and flush the fluid as I don't believe it has ever been done before? I know they claim its a LIFETIME fluid but we all know how that goes...if so. How often should I change and flush it every 30k? Also with the slight HP modifications i have on my mini do you think it puts more pressure on the tranny?

 

A flush is always a good idea.

 

Yup...
Fresh fluid....always helps.
Remember, an auto uses a wet clutch (lots of them)....
And the fluid gets dirty from the clutches wearing...and it accelerates wear...
And the heat breaks down the additives...
Having changed the fluid in other cars auto tranny, I can tell you it get filthy in a hurry...
Most cars suggest 60,000 miles....
On Toyotas with issues (similar itrannys) two fluid changes are often done a few thousand miles apart...fixes many cars. Does the cluch material that is suspended in the fluid cause the wear in the valves body...not sure, but that is my guess.
Lifetime fluid...lol...they said the same about the CVT...then changed the plan to regular flushes.....
Think of "lifetime" fluids meaning till the end of the new car warrenty....so I would change it...remember...they WANT you to want/need a new car (within reason)......
If a factory parts lasts 100,000 miles, heck, it would have surpassed any dealer CPO warrenty too...at that point, think a dealer/maker can no longer claim the fluid is good imo...so my bet..after 100,000 miles you are on borrowed time with the factory fluid...
Bet I bet more comes down to use...lots of highway miles, with the tq converter locked vs stop and go....huge varribility in wear.

 

Yeah that makes sense. A lot of people on here have advised me for AND against the fluid flush and filter change!? Many people say that when I change the fluid it might possibly kick up gunk and crap in the fluid and cause a failure? Is that something you have heard of. And do you know if I have to drop the subframe to do the fluid?

 

It not made to be drained and filled....so it is a bit of a chore....doable, but more of a pain. Should be a few diy's...
Folks have tried various fluids...know a few used Toyota fluid...honestly different that the typical type4...toyotdas tend to shudder badly when standard fluid is used, and the clutches wear faster...some shops use a added "friction modifier" to the fluid....trick is since mini says its "lifetime fluid, they don't publish a fluid to use last I checked...
To be safe I might suggest going yo the dealer with a gallon jug....most will sell it to you in bulk.

 

I would change the filter and do a fluid change. But that is just me. Even if you do have to drop the subframe it is still tons easier and cheaper than pulling the engine and replacing the transmission.

 

There is a write up on how to drain and fill the fluid. Do a search on it, I think there is one in the How To section too. It is a pain though. The hole to fill it is small, hard to get to and only takes a trickle. Takes a LONG time to fill.
Good news is that you don't have to drop the subframe. You will need a special funnel and a torx socket, some extensions, measured bucket, new drain plug gasket. I used Redline ATF synthetic.
Don't read the big scary thread on the Aisin automatic, it will keep you awake at night and make you listen to every shift the slushbox makes.

 

Too late. It's why he started this thread.

 

Thanks so much do you happen to know what to search for this how to? I couldn't find it. And Yeah unforutnately I have been already falling into the "is my car shifting worse" game since I read the nightmare posts about the tranny. I am paranoid now!

 

I believe Pelican has a guide...

 

Here it is:
http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarti...uid_Change.htm

 

Thanks! Its weird though because I read that one and it states I need to drop subframe for that way!?

 

I think you just have to loosen it and lower it for clearance not remove it all the way.

 

Oh ok. Ill look more into it tmrw, thanks again!