is there a way to know which cars where produced with a cvt vs say a 6 spd automatic? is it based on year? or r50 vs r53? or is it when they changed in '07....

 

All R50s with an automatic have the CVT ('02-'06).

Naturally aspirated R52s to 08' with an automatic have the CVT.

Basically, whenever you have a first gen, naturally aspirated engine with an automatic transmission, you have the CVT.

 

so in short, i should avoid any non-s unless its an '09 or newer. if its an s then i dont need to worry about the cvt since thats not the transmission used in any s whether its first gen or second.

do i have that correct?

(we have an '03' 5 speed R50 but want to sell it and get an automatic but want to make sure we avoid the cvt)

 

woops, maybe i got that wrong.

1st gen "s" are fine,
Second generation regular and "s" do not have the cvt?
and all convertible's thru 08 have cvt
correct

 

Yup, all first gen Cooper S's (including convertible ones) are fine and all second gens, non-S and S, are fine.

They produced the first gen. convertibles longer than the hardtops, thus the later date on that model only.

You can always doublecheck a MINI you're looking at with a parts diagram too:

http://www.penskeparts.com/fiche.aspx?brand=mini

The CVT is the "AUTOMATIC GEARBOX GACVT16Z".

Good luck with your search!

 

whenever you have a first gen, naturally aspirated engine with an automatic transmission, you have the CVT.