Hello! I'm a super rookie when it comes to Mini's and I have what maybe a redundant question. Mind you I did do a search of the forum but it was quite exhausting trying to find an answer that would bring me some relief. I just bought this car with what I thought was enough information. Then it turns out there are issues with just about ALL automatic Mini Coopers.

So without going into massive costs and details, I need to know one thing…

Are there automatic Mini owners out there that are NOT having issues?

I am pretty paranoid right now, especially after reading about the Class Action Lawsuit against BMW concerning automatic MINI's and all the associated stories that go with it.

I've had the car for 3 days and I'm already considering selling her and cut my possible future losses.

-Concerned noobie MCSa owner

FYI details: 2005 R53 Auto, 74700miles, downshifts shifts harder that what I would consider normal from 2nd to 1st or upshifts from 1st to 2nd, rest of the car almost perfect in every other detail.

 

I just picked up a 06 Cooper S model myself. From what I can tell the problem is with the CVT transmissions mostly which the S model does not have.

Keep the car you will enjoy it :D I know I am!

 

The tranny on the Gen1 S is an ASIN unit, made in Japan....is very similar to some VW/AUDI and Toyota units used in those makes.
I would change the fluid, and see how it works!!
Here is some Info for ya!!

http://www.motoringfile.com/mini-r50r53-buyers-guide/

General MINI info to get you going!!
Most folks are OK with the tranny...
a few HAVE had a valve body modification done to them, similar to done on the VW version...(done on those cars under warranty)...but with 75k on an auto, I bet fluid would fix it!!
I know a few folks have used Toyoda Tranny fluid.......

And +1 the issues are MOSTLY on the CVT cooper (non-s).
The cooper S auto seems to be about average for an auto tranny...so higher mile cars with orgional fluid would be the ones with issues IMO, especially if driven hard...as most MINI's are!! So I would FIRST try a fluid change!! Good Luck!!

 

So far 1 informational response that was positive. Maybe I should sell the car...

 

Like Zippy said, it was mainly problems with regular MINI's with CVT tranny. So change all the fluid and go from there. When did you buy it? Did you get an extended warranty?

 

Yeah it is the CVT in the regular Coopers (not the S) that have been problematic.

The MCSa should be fine. I have 80K miles on mine and it has always had a hard shift from second to first. I think that is just how it is.

 

Well, good having you here....
I don't think ANY car can be perfect...sounds like a case of buyers remorse!! We can help you tons, but you have to do what makes you happy!
Like the sources have said, ANY auto as they get around 100K can be problematic if not matained....cars that have been driven hard can have trannys that have run hard...hard on the fluid....
So do a fluid change...and see if shift improves!!

 

Hi - I'm new, both to Mini's and NAM in WA - We also just bought a MCS 2006 auto - and are experiencing some rough changes - so this discussion has been very interesting! We are going to start with a tranny fluid change - and hope for the best. Good luck in LV - I feel your pain

 

MCSa with 96K miles here. Are you sure it's from 1 to 2 and 2 to 1? In auto mode the car will not shift to first gear, it stays in second. The shifts can be quite harsh in Auto, but 99.9% of the time I drive in Manual Sport so I don't experience it.

 

No slush box here but be sure to return with a report on how your MINI reacted to a fluid change. A report on the results will be helpful to those who follow.

 

This is not correct, in auto mode the transmission always uses first gear from a dead stop.

In manual mode it only downshifts to 2nd, then you have to manually put it in first gear.

At 100K, I would imagine the OP's car is due for a transmission fluid change at the very least, then go from there.

However, I would caution you about getting upset because you read on the net that a car, or even several cars had trouble. How many people go to the net to complain that their car never had any issues? Likewise, how many complain out of the many, many, many thousands that are sold (that have no issues)? It's impossible to calculate.

The best thing you can do is do your due diligence when buying any used car, but especially high mileage cars - have a pre-purchase inspection done by the dealer. Then you won't have questions, you'll have answers.

It's always interesting to me how many people buy a used car cause they like the looks of it, then go have it inspected and are dismayed because they have to shell out money for repairs. Why wouldn't you do this before you buy it?

Their next step is the closest internet forum where they complain loud and hard about what a terrible car they bought.

Cheese louise......

 

Don't panic.
The auto does have many failures for the valve body. Chances are good that you won't have a problem. I would recommend getting the fluid changed, this will prolong the life of the tranny and may save you from ever needing a fix.
If it does give a shifting issue then it will be about $1500 to fix. So put some money aside.
The tranny will not be your only problem. There are several weak spots on the MINI so expect some repairs down the road. The good thing is that you didn't pay $30k for your car so you can take some of savings and spend it on repairs. This is the fundamental trade-off for having an older used car. Just about every 8 year old car is going to need repairs at some point. You should have some dough and a non-dealer trusted repair shop in the ready.
There are lots and lots of happy owners with over 150k miles on their MINIs.
Don't panic.

 

Thanks-We definitely will report as to results of the fluid change. Love the car and w 106 K we didn't expect it to be free of maintenance. Just hope we can fix her

 

Well just so you know the car was inspected before I bought it with no negative findings, other than the front tires have more wear than the rear. It has no leaks, a clean car fax, it run like a top, and it is visually impressive (not even a single tiny door ding or scratch) and the leather looks and feels factory fresh, even the factory floor matts look like they have wear of a 10k mile car; and to top it all off she only has 74,700miles on her. Being extremely picky, the only thing that bothered me was that the black paint "MINI" logo on the rear emblem has worn away.

What got me worried to begin with was after I picked her up. I'm from Las Vegas, but I'm currently in South Carolina on business. I bought the car in North Carolina and had to drive her back down to SC, about a 2 1/2 hr drive. On the way, (I think) a spring came loose on the button you press to engage the tranny, it now appears to be loose (free motion), I can still engage gears so I didn't think any thing of it.

I already knew about CVT issues and that the "S" was a non-CVT model. My wife insisted on an automatic (the car is really for her), so I insisted that we must get an "S" to avoid the CVT tranny. I had read all about the CVT issues and the crazy prices, so to me it was something to avoid.

When I got back to SC, was when I did further search on tranny issues on the various forums. Mainly I was searching about the button. Then I came upon the Class Action Lawsuit and that "S" owners were on it too!

http://www.topclassactions.com/lawsu...ction-lawsuit#

I did more research on the 6 speed Aisin auto tranny and read more issues... that's when it hit me that maybe I should cut my loses.

I did my research, I did my inspection. I drove the car with no issues, save one (emblem). I read something new and it got me more concern than I wanted to be. I still have to drive this car to Vegas from SC. I was already considering getting a Extended Warranty, but it is rather expensive and limited, so I won't get it until the long drive back as I have a rental to use from my company while I'm here (4-6mos).

To sum it up, I went on here for further insight. Not to be judged on my performance on car purchasing. I'm a rookie to MINI's. MINI's specifically, not a rookie on forums, as you say complaining "…loud and hard…"

Thank you to all that have made me feel better about my purchase and that I was probably just overly concern. I most certainly will have the fluid, filter, and gasket changed for the tranny and will post my progress weather or not it has made a difference or not. Even if it doesn't. I did get an answer I needed, an answer from a fellow MCSa owner:
I have always admired these cars from a distance, and searched far and wide for this one. I just don't want my $10k purchase turn into an $18K purchase of regret for me and especially my wife.

 

FYI,
You can order a new badge from minicarparts.net for about $30. Heat up the old one with a hairdryer, cut under it with fishing line or dental floss and install the new one.

 

I am glad to be of help!

I am at 83K miles and have had a totally trouble free Mini experience. : )

I am thinking about doing some preventative maintenance and the tranny flush is top of the list, but otherwise the Mini has never let me down or made me sad.

 

Congrats on the purchase!

No problems on mine, 65K miles, fluid chanced at around 45K miles. If you're running manual mode, avoid shifting into 1st unless you're nearly stopped or stopped; it just doesn't like that. It's really just designed for take-off. Manual shift from 3rd to 2nd I only do when below 25mph or when balanced with extra throttle, again due to fairly low gearing. I love driving up to my house in 2nd though, about 3500RPM, letting off the throttle and listing to that wonderful exhaust popping on the overrun.