Don't know exactly when, but recently was bitten by MINI bug and now can't stop thinking about them and how bad I want one. Anywho looking at 05/06 Cooper S's and was wondering what everyone thinks the upper limit is for mileage on a used Cooper S automatic? Specifically in relation to the tranny and assuming it hasn't been serviced/ flushed yet.

Thx in adv.

 

I bought a manual 2002 MC 2 years ago for my son and it has been a very fun car to drive, however, my broither in-law's porsche 933 is intoxicating. Further, the car can be easy to fix and maintain yourself provided you are capable, have tools and like wrenching. A friend purchased a turbo 2007 MCS with auitomatic for their daughter last year which i maintain and in my opinion, it is boring when compared to the manual version. Now, I am 50 years old and have had my share of fast exotic cars so my opinion and taste may not be the same as yours so take it for what its worth.
I must admit that when I searched for a car for my daughter last year, I also searched for an automatic MC because she was no good at shifting. I ended up buying a white Mazda 3 sport automatic because it had 4 doors and she really liked it. I also fretted about the reliability of the Mini automatic and its replacement cost at that time and I think it was the main reason why I went with the Mazda. The Mazda has been extremely trouble free and reliable when compared to the MC. Thank god I can fix the MC myself or I would have sold the MC a long time ago because reliabilty is not its hallmark.... but its fun...and I really enjoy that and hence, put up with the bad .....so you need to choose. If you stick with the Mini, go for the 2006 or later.

 

Thx for your reply. Unfortunately a manual is out of the question>Los Angeles. Don't want a car with a timing chain so narrowed my choice to 05/06 Cooper S's. Very mechanically inclined and part of why I want a MINI is to b/c I love to work on cars.

 

You will enjoy it nonetheless.
If an automatic mini is the only way to go, then go for the latest model year you can afford because I think the later automatic transmissions have been greatly improved in their design and made much more more reliable than their earlier versions.

 

Did some research on the Aisin 6speed and that was my thinking as well. Don't know why (and it's not just MINI telling owners to do this, VW does too) they tell owners not to service their auto trannys at all let alone make a flush mandatory at say 50k. Mega bummed there's no way to check the tranny fluid of a potential purchase.

Was wondering today about some of the lower mileage (50k mi) MINIs I've seen listed and why their owners are getting rid of them vs. those I've seen listed w/ higher mileage (80k+ mi)?

 

I had the same exact thoughts when I was in the market. I think CVT transmissions are a nightmare on most cars, not just Mini. So I have avoided them because of this. I have read that some manufactuers do provide replacement belts for rebuilding a broken CVT transmission at much lower cost than the current practice of just replacing them.
Do you think its a conspiracy??

 

I think the manufactures approach these situations w/ the best of intentions but don't think out the real world long term consequences of their solutions.
I.e. timing chains and CVT trannys. The whole never service your transmission thing just makes me go

It's crazy how much research you have to do now on any potential car purchase. If I'd done my homework on my current car an 03 Golf TDI I'd never have bought it > 01m automatic tranny ultimately = failure. Only good thing is crazy gas prices = sellers market for used TDIs.

 

Your right. by the way a close friend had a jetta tdi and the engine went south because of some timing chain issue. so he ditches the car and guess what he buys to replace it; another late model jetta tdi. go figure.
Oh by the way, there is an extensive post on CVT transmissions on this board. good feedback from the collective.

 

You do realize that the '05 and '06 MCS does indeed have a timing chain driving the cam right?

 

For some strange reason, led myself to believe they had timing belts. Wishful thinking maybe?

 

tberardi... make sure you change the ATF in that Mazda 3 EVERY 20-23k they burn fluid bad and the auto is a very expensive repair ... i got rid of my 3 because the slushbox went at 80k because the previous owner never did an ATF flush