I've just bought an 06 base model cooper with 112k km (about 70k miles).

The first thing I was keen on doing was getting the CVT serviced. Although I was told by my mechanic that flushing the fluid can be quite risky when releasing the pressure/fluid from the transmission and could potentially destroy it.

I understand CVT is a very different transmission and takes time to get used to, but while driving at constant speeds on the highway the RPM will increase AFTER removing my foot from the throttle, not sure if that's normal behavior.

 

High mileage auto trans . I only ever do a 50% fluid change and new filter . The old fluid contain clutch material that helps keep it from slipping and flushing it is deff a no no as it's so old it can blow seals and push the contaminates into small areas and clog up things... I suggest just a 50 50 and new filter .
I've personally had multiple friends not listen to me and literally the night of or next day after full fluid changes their trans started slipping .

 

I've changed my cvt fluid several times with no problems. Open the drain plug on the bottom of the pan and drain the fluid out. Now you're supposed to open the little drain plug on the lower front and push new fluid in but I take the air filter box off and pour new CVT fluid in the top.

Once it is warmed up, you then open the front drain plug and drain the excess out. That plug has a little tube that goes up to the correct fluid height so when it stops draining, the level is correct.

Peter

 

regularly. But have you changed one on a high mileage that has never been changed??

 

It was called a lifetime fluid and then Mini said change it every 35,000 miles. I'm not sure 70,000 miles is all that extreme.

Maybe it is.

Peter

 

Meh,70k isn't that much.. exp if it hasn't been beat on.