MC CVT Questions
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2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 89
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From: Candler(Asheville), NC
Hello! I am a new owner of a '04 MC with the CVT. Absolutly in love with "Tootles" as she is probably the funnest car I have ever owned to drive and the first new car we have pruchased in twenty years. We went with the the MC over the MCS due to fact that I wear prothesis and required the CVT. We now have approx 2700 miles behind us and such a pleasure to have the break in period over with.
She is the wife's daily driver and drives in the "D"mode. I get pleasure of driving on the weekends and typically use the "Manual" mode. A couple of questions have arisen and wonder if they are common to other similar equipped models.
Upon deceleration the automatic downshift appears to function properly. However, when stopping completly ie: stop sign/red light, the CVT will downshift only to second gear. Granted manually downshifting to first only takes a moment before proceeding but is the lowest downshift to second normal? I typically start in second anyway but help me convince the wife nothing is being harmed doing this.
Our MC accelerates with good response to around 2500 rpm. From there until about 3000 throttle response is sluggish. At 3000 rpm and higher the thottle response is as I would expect. Have any other CVT owners experienced this or is this an issue that needs to be addressed at it's first service date?
We purchased our Mini in Charleston SC on our way home from vacation. Going just to "window shop" we were smitten. Suppose our intentions are to have the factory service done in Greenville. Noticed their dealer rating is not the best and wondered if others had opinions concerning the Greenville service department?
She is the wife's daily driver and drives in the "D"mode. I get pleasure of driving on the weekends and typically use the "Manual" mode. A couple of questions have arisen and wonder if they are common to other similar equipped models.
Upon deceleration the automatic downshift appears to function properly. However, when stopping completly ie: stop sign/red light, the CVT will downshift only to second gear. Granted manually downshifting to first only takes a moment before proceeding but is the lowest downshift to second normal? I typically start in second anyway but help me convince the wife nothing is being harmed doing this.
Our MC accelerates with good response to around 2500 rpm. From there until about 3000 throttle response is sluggish. At 3000 rpm and higher the thottle response is as I would expect. Have any other CVT owners experienced this or is this an issue that needs to be addressed at it's first service date?
We purchased our Mini in Charleston SC on our way home from vacation. Going just to "window shop" we were smitten. Suppose our intentions are to have the factory service done in Greenville. Noticed their dealer rating is not the best and wondered if others had opinions concerning the Greenville service department?
Last edited by JohnNC; Jun 13, 2004 at 11:13 PM.
4th Gear
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 336
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From: Delaware, USA
Hi. I've had my CVT for 48k+ miles now and I still think it's great.
It is normal for it to shift down into 2nd by itself when stopped. You can start from a stop in 2nd pretty well also.
If you want better accelleration in auto mode you really need to switch it to SD while starting up. I usually leave it in SD when I'm in stop & go traffic, merging or passing and switch it over to D when I reach cruising speed.
The CVT is a good transmission and I've had no problems keeping up with the 5 and 6 speed MINI's on the many events I've attended.
It is normal for it to shift down into 2nd by itself when stopped. You can start from a stop in 2nd pretty well also.
If you want better accelleration in auto mode you really need to switch it to SD while starting up. I usually leave it in SD when I'm in stop & go traffic, merging or passing and switch it over to D when I reach cruising speed.
The CVT is a good transmission and I've had no problems keeping up with the 5 and 6 speed MINI's on the many events I've attended.
5th Gear
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 724
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From: Charlotte, NC
John
Glad to hear that you are enjoying your MINI.
I just wanted to comment on the service department at Century. I have been very satisfied with all aspects of the service dept. I am on my second MINI and have been using them since June 02 without any problems. They installed my JCW kit and did a great job. Both of the MINI techs, Brent and Lee are excellant and Jim the sevice writer is very easy to deal with.
Give them a try, I think you will be pleased.
Glad to hear that you are enjoying your MINI.
I just wanted to comment on the service department at Century. I have been very satisfied with all aspects of the service dept. I am on my second MINI and have been using them since June 02 without any problems. They installed my JCW kit and did a great job. Both of the MINI techs, Brent and Lee are excellant and Jim the sevice writer is very easy to deal with.
Give them a try, I think you will be pleased.
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,099
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From: Just around the corner from the Dragon :~)
Hey John,
I've had my car since August 02, and have had to all the servicing completed at Century. I've found them to be very interested in customer satisfaction, extremely attentive to the owners concerns (they will listen and act on what you are telling them) and the overall condition of the car not just what you came in for.
The only issue I have, and I have it with the entire parts/service department of all car/boat/plane/rv companies is; with the advent of cheap "overnight" delivery, more and more parts departments are not stocking enough part numbers. Nothing is worse then waiting for small items to complete a job, clips etc. Having said that, there is nothing that the Techs or Service Advisor can do about that. That is a management call at the Dealer level.
I just looked at the Dealer Rating thread, and the Service folks are getting high marks. I'll echo mininc's advice and give them a try; I think you'll be pleased.
BTW, you guys coming to the meet and greet?
I've had my car since August 02, and have had to all the servicing completed at Century. I've found them to be very interested in customer satisfaction, extremely attentive to the owners concerns (they will listen and act on what you are telling them) and the overall condition of the car not just what you came in for.
The only issue I have, and I have it with the entire parts/service department of all car/boat/plane/rv companies is; with the advent of cheap "overnight" delivery, more and more parts departments are not stocking enough part numbers. Nothing is worse then waiting for small items to complete a job, clips etc. Having said that, there is nothing that the Techs or Service Advisor can do about that. That is a management call at the Dealer level.
I just looked at the Dealer Rating thread, and the Service folks are getting high marks. I'll echo mininc's advice and give them a try; I think you'll be pleased.
BTW, you guys coming to the meet and greet?
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2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 89
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From: Candler(Asheville), NC
Hello Smokey, Great to hear from you and others. Pleased to hear that the Century Mini service department is getting good reviews. Even though I would not have minded the drive to Charleston, going to G'ville is a bit more practical. I have seen your posting about the next meeting and it sounds fun. Whether that date is available for me I hope to know by the 23rd. My work schedule is posted in two week increments and really hope to get that day off. Took the Mini down to Lake Lure this past weekend and 74 South was fun to drive. Looking forward to making a drive with a few other Mini's
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