Strange that this is a continuing problem. I have a friend who has had four (4) transmissions installed in her pre-R56 car!

 

Ha...I think I know your friend!!!

 

Probably. Her car sleeps at MINI of The Woodlands most of the year.

 

Well, I went back to the dealership (for the 3rd time in 2 weeks). They replaced the tranny, but the noise is still there. They have no idea what's going on now :(

 

OMG!!!!
You are scaring me....

 

No. You'll have a whole different set of issues with the auto.

(kidding, of course. I wouldn't really wish new car teething problems upon anyone )

 

I was originally supposed to pick up my car today but received a call from my SA telling me that the tranny has been installed but they do not have/cannot get the transmission fluid because it has been discontinued. They have called around and have hopefully located some in another state. 1 week without my car so far, it will be at least a couple more days until it arrives. On another more encouraging note, while I was at MOTD, I spoke with the regional rep about the problems with my transmission. He said that he would personally look into it and make sure that my transmission is delivered to MINI USA so they can open the trans case and determine the failure. He said once they do that, he would get back to me to let me know what happend. I was approached by Jim McDowell, VP of MINI USA, who was very concerned to hear about the tranny failure, apologized and assured me they would look into the problem as well. I also mentioned to them both that others on NAM were experiencing the same failure and/or the same noise I had. Hopefully, MINI can address this issue before it affects too many more cars. I was very impressed that either exec would be interested in hearing about my issue and personally look into the cause.

 

It's encouraging to hear that BMW execs are finally taking an interest in their products. Hopefully it's not just being done for show and reflects a genuine policy change toward ensuring customer satisfaction.

But I'd still keep track of all of the time the car has been unavailable and all of the time spent trying to resolve the problem in the event it turns into a Lemon Law case.

As an aside, what's with the "discontinued" transmission fluid? Neither BMW nor the dealer appear very competent when excuses like this are used.

 

911Fan thanks for the suggestion. Ill definately keep track of the timeline and events, lets just hope it doesnt go that way! Your guess is as good as mine with the tranny fluid, it sounds flimsy to me but maybe that exactly what happend. Hard to say.

 

Two is not an outbreak, epidemic, or plague.

Keep a weather eye, but fret not. At least not yet.

Sorry for the two. Hope they find a washer in backwards or a seal on wrong....something some Nevil forgot.

 

There are more than 2 and several more who are making the same noises as well who are watching/waiting.

 

I've been tracking under a separate thread - but I've had my clutch and flywheel replaced once - same 3rd to 2nd noise, flywheel chatter when in neutral, I also have a damaged wiring harness for the lighting system! No wonder my xenon headlight washers don't work. :-) My car is currently at Towson awaiting a fix (most likely a new tranny).

I also met Jim McDowell of MINIUSA (actally I think I introduced him to Amy) and indicated that we were having problems. I've since followed up with an email. I'll be curious to see how they resolve this.

 

My transmission is being replaced.. the tech seems to think that somehow the transmission fork is somehow just rattling around loose in transmission - and it takes about 1500 miles for it to loosen up - so that would make sense as my car started making noise at 1500 and 3000 miles (after the flywheel and clutch was replaced)

It's also been escalated to Jim McDowell VP of MINIUSA and Sal Talerico VP Customer Relations of MINIUSA. Talerico has contacted me via email and also given me his number to call him.

 

Krut,
When does your trasnsmission make noise? Is it whenever you depress the clutch?

 

Depressing the clutch and selecting 3rd to 2nd gear changes (on occasion).

 

Kurt, unrelated to the tranny issue, do you ever tell the car to "Punch it, Chewie!"

 

<<snort>> that was funny. :-)

 

Transmission fluid discontinued???? So, they put a tranny in your car that can't be used??? That's like selling you a car and telling you there are no batteries for it. Or, perhaps, they discovered that the tranny fluid they have been using is defective and it is being reformulated? In which case, you definitely don't want the dealer to find some of the "discontinued" stuff.

 

Maybe her car should be more selective about where he/she sleeps.

 

Yesterday I called another dealer just to double check the story. Apparently they have put a freeze on the trans fluid again, they werent sure if it was due to reformulation or relabelling. I called my SA this morning to get clarification on the situation since the "old" stuff was being shipped to my dealer and would be put in my car. She spoke to the tech and now is being told that the delay was due to the car being so new. Theyve already put the fluid in my car and it is ready for pick up but Im planning on speaking to the parts manager about it before I drive off site.

 

Hi Trinity, I read your thread with interest... Hope you get your issues solved and best of luck with your MINI.

 

Hell, my wife says that to me, and I'm not even that hairy!

Amy- sorry to hear you're getting dicked around so bad. Shoulda bought a '06 sweetheart. I really do hope everything comes to a good resolution.

 

Well, it IS a new automatic. But, I'd be suspicious. It may not hurt to talk to the service manager and let him know you expect to not have problems receiving another transmission should it turn out they are putting "defective" fluid in yours.

 

Automatic? Ive got a 6 speed

I picked my car up Friday afternoon and I immediately noticed the gears werent as notchy as they had been. No more having to double clutch just to get it to go into gear. Also, my clutch seemed even softer if thats even possible, they may have adjusted it. Ive put approximately 300 miles on her over the weekend and so far, so good.

 

Okay, well trans. "fluid" usually refers to automatics, as manuals have trans oil. But, glad to hear it seems to be fixed.