Sorry of this is a repost or has been discussed here already, but I'm such a dweeb when it comes to doing a search. I use the feature, but... well.... I'm bad at it. ANYWAY....

Has anyone seen these reports? I pulled this from a Porsche site I also frequent. MINI's come up in discussions there since many of us have MINI's and Porsche's.

There are several video's listed about MINI owners problems with transmissions and BWM's replacement of them.

What's this all about?

http://toronto.ctv.ca/consumer/#TopVideoAn

Jo

 

Almost $11,000 Canadian to replace a transmission! She could buy a used mini for the trans and part out the rest.

 

Around $8000usd for Justa Cooper CVT tranny. Not MCS (Getrag) tranny

 

Question?

Are there a lot of trannys failing just out of warranty, or were these couple cars in the reports flukes?

 

Most of the transmission failure on the cars happened on R50's built before 04/2004 (when they still used a Midlands 5 speed), and any of them that came equipped with a CVT. While I wont say it is common it is not unsurprising to see a Midlands or CVT die before 50k. The Getrag 6 speed the r53 has is pretty bullet proof, and the new 5 speed Getrag that was put in the r50 also seems to be doing well.

The real problem is the BMW/MINI refuses to offer parts for our Getrags/CVTs/Midlands transmissions and instead makes you replace the whole thing no matter what (though it would appear minimania sells midlands parts). So a $200 syncro failure (or whatever) could in fact cost you a whole new transmission! That is where most of the problem lies.

 

Thank you Some Guy

 

With 75K miles on my 03 CVT, I have concerns over how long my luck will hold out. I had to convince the (non MINI) service center that the fluid was required to be changed periodically. In the original service manuals it was not. But if you look at the service requirements on the MINI OL web site, you'll find that MINI changed its song on that one.

 

Pretty glad I have a 6 speed and not the Auto!