Well, that fix didn't last long (24 hours). Austin is going in again this week (4th time in 3 months), but this time, to get a whole new transmission put in. It's quite a shame since the car only has about 18,500 on it and has never been abused, but I imagine that my circumstance is more the exception than the rule.

Ah, the fun of owning a used MINI. Hopefully, this'll fix it for good.

 

My car already has a new transmission. At around 18K, I was getting a mysterious fluid (clear and slippery) leak on the garage floor. After a mis-diagnosis or two, the MINI dealer ended up replacing the entire unit under warranty. No problems since.

 

That's great news! I'm still waiting to hear how Austin's "operation" is going.

The dealer made the mistake of giving me a choice of which loaner vehicle I wanted (from a selection of MINIs); I picked an 07 Cooper with an automatic, since I wanted to see how different the 07s were from my 05.

The problem is now, I'm not sure I want to give it back!
My goodness are the 07s FUN! Can't wait for the 09 'vert to come out; I may have to "upgrade" in a year or two...

 

Update: Could the problem be not the transmission, but a faulty transmission wiring harness?!

Stay tuned (they're looking into it as I speak)....

 

my transmission blew at about 15K. I was leaving a parking lot going about 20mph. Right as I shifted into 2nd gear, the transmission blew a 7 inch hole through the bell housing. It severed my wiring harness on the way out. Mini replaced both the clutch and transmission. They actually kept the transmission to show other techs; they said they had never seen anything like that before. I guess I'm lucky to still have my legs.

 

The OP has an automatic transmission. There was a service campaign for 2005 MCSa cars for a wiring harness issue; but my understanding is that was for early 2005 build dates (1/2005 to around 4/2005).

 

Well, that would put me right in the "sweet spot". My build was 03/05.

 

Ask your service adviser if the Wiring Harness campaign was performed on your car. That might be an additional contribution to the problem. Especially if the latest repair does not provide any joy.

 

Well, no luck.

After almost 30 days at the dealer, countless tests and replacement modules, harnesses, etc., they're still at square one. The only thing left to replace is the transmission. Hopefully that will get taken care of sometime this week. What a mess. Even the service guys are scratching their heads on this one.

On a brighter note, the new MINI loaner is still a blast to drive!

 

It sounds like they're taking good care of you, that's good to hear!

And yes, the '07s are CRAZY fun to drive!

 

Well, since the new MINI is loaner is fun, keep enjoying it!.

 

My 04 Copper S in shop for new transmition, gear box very chatty upon start up, slow release from clutch took noise away, Dealer two months ago told me it was normal. Took car in this week for wiper arm modual and the mechanic heard the same noise bringing the car into the service bay. Told me it was NOT normal, bottom line, new transmition. Only 30 days left in the warrantee period. Somebody likes me.

 

You might want to consider an Extended Warranty to keep somebody liking you....

 

For those interested... This has been one of those bizzaro nightmares that just won't seem to end. The day after Thanksgiving, they call me to tell me the car is done, I drive down to pick it up, and when they pull the car around, the "EP" code comes back on again! At least it happened at the dealership this time!

They've now flown in the field service engineer twice in the past 60 days to look at the car. They've put in a repair harness, replaced the paddle shifters, checked all the wiring, reprogrammed stuff, reset transmission adaption values, and are now replacing the transmission control module a second time.

They told me that if this new TCM doesn't work, they'll replace the transmission. I basically told them that if they'd replaced the transmission in the first place, maybe we wouldn't be in the position we're in? But understandably, they have to follow protocol on their end, and a $6k tranny is a lot to swallow, so they want to make sure they exhaust every option in the book before flipping that switch.

So while it is in service, I've also had a key, and the rubber/chrome trim around the back of the 'vert replaced as well (the rubber was splitting).

I have since traded in my 07 MCa loaner for an 07 MCS loaner. Weeee! The S is even better! I still prefer my automatic transmission, though.

Needless to say, I'm grateful for the manufacturer's warranty.
When do those 09 'verts to come out?

 

At least they hooked you up with a loaner and there are a ton of real fun roads to drive down there in Austin. I think we took the Subaru that the wife bought along Bee Line Dr...

I'm sure they will get it sorted soon.

 

Which dealer is working on it for you? Up in Dallas or down here?

 

Mini of SA.

Interestingly enough, when I went down there the day after Thanksgiving, there were 4 other HO MINIs in for some state of service.

 

we were there the saturday after turkey and I saw a couple down there and then we were in ordering on this past Saturday and there was another HO in the parking lot there with a for sale sign on it...I am sure they will get it fixed but nice to know they gave you a great loaner for the time.

 

Well, after over 90 days straight at the dealer, still no fix in sight. The gang in San Antonio are now looking at the possibility of this being a grounding issue with the car and not the transmission system as once thought. Considering it was a Florida car originally, that seems to be within the realm of possibility (all that salty air). Crossing fingers........and counting down the days till the new 09 cabrios come out.

And for those keeping score, days I've had it in my possession since I've owned it: 60
Days it's been at the dealer for service (for the same issue): 120

 

WOW! I figured they would have you up and running way before now...so what do they have you driving at the moment? Such a sad story...We took delivery of our 08 MC last week and gotta tell ya....I like it!

 

I'm still in the 07 MCS loaner. It's still fun to drive, which is why I really can't complain.

 

heh... you might just ask for a trade... I'm sure you're putting plenty of miles on the loaner... I know I would. And I say you specifically get the one you're driving, unless of course it doesn't have all the options you want... that way you don't have to worry about getting into another MINI with potential issues.

GotMINI

 

I wonder if the transmission has issues with it. I got my 02 MC in the beginning of October. In the beginning of November, the transmission went. This car only had 38k miles on it, and I put another 1k miles on it before it went. It took the garage I took it to a month to get the new transmission and install it. Damn did I miss it the month it was gone. How long did you have your MC before it got sick.

 

So the transmission has been replaced.... and it's still not fixed! AAARGH!

 

Oh my...what are they telling you now????