Looking at pre-owned MINI's and as the CVT seems prone to failure I'm thinking to avoid it. When did they change to a conventional automatic?

Thanks

 

All of the S automatics are a conventional transmission.
The Cooper changed to a conventional one in '07.
The Cooper Cabrio is a CVT through '08.

 

Dang, too new for the budget.
May have to re-think the CVT thing.

 

I would not touch CVT with a 10 foot pole.
$6,000-$8,000 for replacement and no repair option, no thanks!
Gimmie a 6-speed, thank you.

 

^^^Go with the manual

 

.... or an auto Cooper S (no CVT)

 

yes I meant MCS 6speed or MCS auto even MC 5speed ok too.

 

Have you guys actually had CVT equipped cars?

 

I thought as much.

Comments form CVT owners?

 

I like mine, but I have an extended warranty just in case.

 

I like mine also, and I knew what I was getting into when I bought it and am prepared for it. But I can't in good conscience recommend one. Go manual OR get an 07+.

 

Something in mine broke a couple months ago and it was $850 to fix the part in it but if they had to replace everything it was going to be $10,000. But i still love my car =)

 

Can I ask where you had the work done for that?

 

I know of two that died with a cost of 8k in repairs. I wouldn't get a CVT.

 

I have one and like gaffer also purchased an extended protection plan. It will just cover the car while making payments. I like it, so far it operates smoothly and I had the fluid changed at ~33K miles. As long as it still "goes" I plan on having it serviced every 10K to 15K miles. I only put on about 5K/yr so it will be 2-3 years between "expenses".
I would buy one again but unfortunately you never know how it was treated by the previous owner. I guess the best chances are with the lowest mileage examples.

 

I had an 08 Cabrio with a CVT and after 12,000 miles I got rid of it for an 09 S Cabrio with a real automatic. I just could not deal with the RPM changes going down the interstate everytime it had to pull a hill. Love the conventional Auto.

 

I have an early '03 and have not had any problems so far. It's been to the Dragon 4 times, thru other twisties, on long trips and participated in 2 2-day Phil Wicks schools. It has about 45k and now goes mostly to carshows...guess I am trying to beat the failure average, LOL.

 

I got it fixed at the Deal in Indy

 

So just to clarify, Justa Coopers have the CVT and MCS's don't right?

Not a big deal to me, both of my MINI's are 6 speed! BUt someone might wanna know!

 

MCS has the Aisin built conventional 6 speed automatic - no CVT!