Man I am trying to be optimistic but I am really pissed and upset. I picked up my beautiful Mini Cabrio Sidewalk in May. It started developing a problem when I put it in reverse a fuse would short out and the car would go into safety mode (It goes into second gear). It was fixed, happened again a few weeks later and I dropped it off last week at the dealer. I just got a call and they cant seem to pinpoint the problem, so the front office (PUma) said replace the transmission. I can't believe a brand new car and I need a new Trans. They assured me it wont hurt the resale value, as it is not listed in car fax, but I still dont believe it.

I love the car but so far my experience with my first mini sucks. I had a used mercedes from '94 I sold. That car never gave me any problems at all! Just venting

 

Sorry for your problems... just be happy for good warranties.

 

OK, now I need advice. Someone please respond. The transmission they are putting in my brand new car is a refurbished transmission. The service tech is saying all the parts in the transmission are new, just the casing is refurbished. I still think this sucks. Does the casing matter? Anyone?

 

Banjo I am sorry to hear about the transmission woes on your new Cabrio and I don't blame you for being pissed as I would be too.

To answer your question typically auto manufacturers install refurbished transmissions,etc. as they have to pass very stringent testing so it shouldn't be a problem.I would imagine they wouldn't install it if the casing was bad.

 

Thanks jcr...appreciate the input. Ill have a discussion with the service rep tomorrow. I don't think I am going to have much choice, but this whole experience has soured me on mini. Ive owned several cars in my life and frankly i truly have never had any problems with any of them until this one.

 

^^My pleasure Banjo.

I do know what you are saying as I have owned 35+ cars in the past and this is the only one that has given me more problems in such a short period of ownership (4 months).Having a great factory warranty is very reassuring but having to use it constantly isn't as far as quality is concerned.

Anyway good luck and keep us posted when you can.

 

Absolutely NOT!!! I would not accept a "Re-furbished" anything. Not on a car you paid much for?? I would insist that they have a new Transmission shopped from GB if that is what they have to do!!!

 

I wouldn't have any problems at all with a refurbished unit. First, it's being rebuilt/refreshed *by MINI*, not Bubba down at "Rusty's Live Bait and Transmission Shop".

Second, that refurbished transmission was probably hand-assembled, double- and triple-checked. It's certainly been inspected more closely than the 650 new transmissions that pass through the factory every day.

Lastly, if they're putting all-new internals into it and just re-using the outer casing, what's the problem? What do you think is going to happen to *your* transmission after it's pulled from your car? That's right - it's going to be re-built with all new parts and installed in someone else's car. Why should they throw the whole thing away when they can at least re-use the casing (it's got no moving parts, it doesn't wear, and unless it physically gets cracked, there's not much that can go wrong with it).

 

The warranty should still be the same as the original part (I don't see why, but verify this!), and if the refurb is going to fail (unlikely as others have pointed out, QA is more rigorous for refurb equipment than new) it will more than likely fail well before your warranty is up.

 

Update...Putting in the refubished transmission and now putting in a new torque box. Sheesh Wont have my convertible for the long sunny weekend :(

 

^^Banjo that is great news to hear but yeah not being able to drive your Cabrio for a bit while it is getting repaired I can understand how you feel.

 

Funny you should mention Rustys, He has merged with Bubba Bo Dean and they now serve fresh roadkill whilst you wait for your deer to get mounted.