Hi, guys. Really new to Mini. Please help. I'm getting a jerky little car and some sticky, hard shifting from reverse into drive, all very intermittent. The mechanic told me something's wrong with the tranny, RPM's are way too high, but he doesn't work on tranny's and has little experience with Minis. Dealer where I purchased told me to go to the local international dealer in town and get a 'reflash'. Is this something that is normal/will solve this problem or is he giving me a line. I do have a warranty, so I guess I'm wondering if this is something that's legit or something that's going to void my warranty. I'm not into modding my car, so that's not a concern, but will this 'reflash' do damage or is the dealer just giving me a bunch of crap? Is there actually something wrong with my tranny? Any advice would be much appreciated. I'm pretty stressed about it and can't seem to find my answer anywhere else.
2005 Gold Hardtop Mini Cooper R50 Hatchback, 55,000 mi, Automatic

 

Its becuase the R53 mini cooper cvt autos suck a**. You may need to replace it, Not sure about a reflash.

 

The Automatics are know to have problems and are expensive to replace so you do want to get this resolved under warranty. Does the warranty allow you to take the car to any mechanic? If so, I would take the car to a Mini Dealership or an independent shop that focuses on Mini Coopers, even if a distance away from you. Most general independent shops are not going to know much about the Mini Automatic transmission.

 

So I assume the R50 and R53 have the same tranny? And it's awful?

 

Yeah, I have a very close International Mini that I was going to take it to. That's what the mechanic suggested, right off the bat. I just got extremely confused when the dealer mentioned a 'reflash'. I haven't modified my Mini, so I don't need that, right? I mean, I don't want to void my warranty.

 

im suprised you still have a warrenty. I dont think that will void the warrenty to reflash the car, but i dont think it needs a reflash. The r50 and r53 autos are the same and are auful, they are notorious to have to be replaced on r50's.

 

the r50 CVT tranny is an interesting beast. its a known weak point. they don't last very long and also should never be replaced by used units. when was the fluid last changed? many people can milk life out of the CVT when they change the fluid every 10-15k miles. but ultimately these units will fail. and yours very well could be on its way out. a Flash has helped some to have the tranny shift points reset. (if the dealer reflashes the tranny, its an OEM flash, they are not as much reflashing, but reseting the ECu back to stock)

 

The automatic transmission in the R50 a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) while the R53 has a steptronic transmission made by Aisin. The problematic CVT was dropped after the 1st Generation and the Aisin was used in all models going forward.

I'm no expert but I believe the first course of action when the CVT starts acting up is to change the transmission fluid, followed by having it "reprogrammed". I'm not sure is an independent mechanic can do the latter.

 

Take it to the dealer - anything they do should not void the warranty. I am assuming your warranty is an aftermarket warranty sold by the dealer you bought the car from.

The honest truth is going to be a hard pill to swallow but that transmission is really just a ticking time bomb. Get it replaced under warranty if you can. The warranty adjuster is going to have to approve the work...so you want a reputable shop (mini dealer) on your side.

 

Will the warranty provider pay for the service at IA? I went there once before and they wanted $120 just to look at my car so I cant imagine how much they want to flash the car.

Tallk to the warranty people so they are aware and find out exactly what is covered and for how long because it's probably just the beginning of your transmission problems

 

Well, I made an appointment with my local International Mini. I'm not sure I trust the dealer, and I'm pretty sure International is the only place in town that does transmissions of Minis. I assume the dealer did a factory reset, not a reflash, but the whole thing confuses me a little bit. I do, indeed, have an extended warranty through the dealer. So, I'm getting the feeling that since it's a touchy part that often fails, I should just go ahead and let them do the whole thing rather than try the reflash or a fluid change? Since I've got the warranty, I hate to mess around if I can just get it all done and over with. Also, I'm assuming we're talking about a rebuilt tranny and NOT a used one, right? It sounds like the rebuilt ones are practically like new?


Thanks so much, guys! Last night, it was all clear as mud. I'm getting a clearer picture now. If I trusted the dealer, I'd just go back and demand he fix all my other issues too, but I don't want to pay for service with him and then find zip ties all over, you know? Seems like a nice guy, offered to take a look after the tranny issue is cleared up, but I'm honestly not sure what I'm going to do yet. I'm also really ticked that I didn't know I could've had an inspection before buying the car in the first place. Don't know if there are temporary fix tricks these guys use, but everything seemed fine on the test drive. I'm not an expert by any stretch, but I can hardly believe I would've missed all this!

 

My experience with aftermarket warranty companies has actually been pretty positive..about 10 years ago I had a car with Warranty Gold coverage on it. I had a hub on a 4x4 that would not lock -- took it to the dealer and they contacted Warranty Gold who checked to see that it was covered and provided the dealer with a credit card number over the phone to use for the repair.

Everything is 100% dependent on the warranty company though -- and usually the warranty company requires that the car be inspected by a qualified shop before the warranty takes effect. They don't warranty cars with pre-existing conditions.

Shawnn -- diagnostic fees are there because it does in fact take a tech time to diagnose and understand an issue with the car. That time he could be spending wrenching on a car that is having an oil change or tire rotation. It is a fair fee to ask -- as its a 1 hour labor rate. Smaller shops offer free estimates because -- they need to drum up business.

Good luck OP.

 

Yeah I understand the diagnosis fee, it's more that particular dealer than the fee.

When I went in to ask about the power steering pump it wasn't a pleasant experience. This from my wife - they were haughty, dismissive, and distinctly unhelpful.

Friend of mine leased a Mini from them and received similar treatment, plus they tried to stick him with extra chargers at the end. He wanted to lease another one and again they were difficult. A different dealer about an hour away charged nothing on the lease turn in, and found the exact Mini he wanted.

I'm mostly just agreeing with Sara that I don't trust that dealer

 

I think Sara was saying she doesn't trust the dealer she bought the car from, rather than the MINI dealer.

Unfortunate that you guys dont have a MINI dealership nearby that is fun to visit. Mine Prestige MINI in Mahwah, NJ is incredible. They regularly have rallies, movie nights, support local charities, and do free service clinics where they will look over your car for free. Their PARTS department is also extremely helpful, with tips and tricks. The couple of times I have had service done with them they have been nothing but professional and shown a huge amount of respect to me and my R53. They actually have said its one of the better kept examples they have seen as they deal mostly in R56 and later. The service advisor encouraged me to keep the car as long as I could....

 

Hold on, no, I didn't buy this Mini from IA. I actually bought it from a small independent guy in my neighborhood, Classic Cars on Lincoln in West Allis, WI. Don't know if anyone here is from around here or not. Normally those guys make me nervous, but he gets a lot of Minis and the car seemed solid. I've never dealt with IA before now.


Just wanted to put that out there.


The guy on the phone at IA did seem a little distracted, but I can't really fault a garage guy for being a little distracted on a daily basis, so we'll see how it all comes down.

 

Oh, wow, Kahnfucious, that sounds fantastic! Yeah, there are some little enthusiast clubs over here, like Milwaukee Minis, but the only really big reputable repair place I know of is IA. A neighbor of mine with a Clubman pointed out a small place just a few blocks from our street that deals with Minis, like on a professional level, but again, they're a small independent place and I doubt they do tranny's. When my mechanic told me to just go straight to IA, I sort of took that to heart and went with it. We'll see if they're a good experience or not.

 

If the transmission needs replacing I hope the warranty covers it.

Google the part number 24007573542 (but sit down first)

 

That's awesome kahnfucious

I live in Waukesha Sarah but don't worry about my experience with IA, just make sure your warranty covers the repairs. Good luck!

 

Oh, don't worry, Shawnnn, that is my number one question when I get there. Thanks!

 

I still have an aftermarket warranty on my car, and its already replaced my tranny in my r53, 4th gear syncho decided to let go. and bam a 50$ deductible saved me 3500$. now its going in again to fix my oil pan leak, power steering pump, tranny leak, and AC condenser.....




but its worth asking the shop if they are willing to deal with an aftermarket warranty company. I know the stealerships will since they offer them.

 

That's really comforting, Saltysalt. Yeah, I've got a pretty good extended, so I'm hoping I'll be fine. And I've heard the extended warranty companies respond better to bigger dealers, so hopefully I'll be safe. It's a hundred dollar deductible, but with any luck, everything is covered. Unfortunately, I also have an axel problem, and apparently I'm dragging my back disc brakes. Those certainly won't be covered. Hopefully those axels are. Should be...

 

If the estimate to fix the brakes is high just have someone else look at. Anyone can do the brakes so you dont need to pay dealer prices to fix them. And have a second opinion if there really is a problem

 

Yeah, I thought the estimate I got for the brakes was high, but with it being a Mini I assumed it was probably the going rate. I'll probably get another opinion, yeah. The first mechanic seems like the cheapest around here but I guess sometimes you can be surprised.

 

How long ago did you buy this car? Does your state have any kind of lemon law? Seems like a lot of issues that were not disclosed to you. Yes I understand that typically the law is "buyer beware". Just thinking of options for you

 

do the brakes your self, they are super easy. I did them in the dark and having to drill out a bolt in 3 hours. also replacing rotors. the going rate for brake jobs is outrageous, I almost wanna make my own shop to do that to mini's. Axles should also be covered since they are not a "wear" item. brake pads and rotors will definently not be covered, but sticking calipers may depending on the warranty