I purchase a 2003 Mini Cooper used with 55000 miles, and seemed in great working order then. Now, 3 months and 2500 miles later, the transmission is blown. It popped out of gear and will no re-engage. The check engine light is off, but the tranny stays in neutral even when it is put in R, D, SD, or M/S

It gave out going 2 miles per hour pulling up to a parking space - no high engine load, no high body roll - nothing at all.

We took it to the tech, who said something is wrong with the tranny, but they don't know what. There is some grinding of gears inside, but they don't want to take it off and look inside because they haven't worked on the CVT before.

I drive it enthusiastically, but not hard. I don't mash from D to SD, and I never use steptronic. I do use SD mode to get up to freeway speed, then let off the gas and switch to regular D mode, but I've heard that isn't an issue. Is there any way a semi-speedy but not extreme driving style could burn out a tranny in 3000 miles? I haven't taken it to track, and have redlined maybe 4 times.

Has anyone else had this problem? If so - what did you do? Also - how much does this tranny cost to replace/rebuild? How much does a conversion to a stick cost?

Thanks!

 

Sorry for your loss. I think I'd start pricing used transmissions, sounds like this one detonated.

 

Try doing a search both here and on mini2.com .....I know there have been a few very long posts about people sharing their full stories about having the same problem and trying to get it fixed.

The big issue is that the CVT is a rather "complex" tranny so many places (including MINI) refuse to rebuild like you normally would. They often urge you to buy a full new tranny which is big money

 

It sounds like time for a new CVT. If ever there was a reason to buy an extended warranty, the CVT is it. If you can find a slightly used CVT (with less than 20,000 miles), that would probably be better than new (there have been posts where new parts cost is ~$7,500). Another approach is to work on a pity/hardship act (woe is me, I got this car and now it is broke, how can I get to work to feed my family..., and, and, and) and see if you can get some sympathy from BMW/MINI. There are instances where BMW gave a 50% discount on the parts cost for the CVT.