Hi Folks,
New to the forum here. My g/f has a completely stock '05 Mini Cooper Auto and I've noticed some strange behaviour with the tranny. In "D" mode, on the freeway doing about 60mph, it feels like it's in 5th gear. When I try to gradually accelerate about 5mph, it immediately shifts up to 6th gear. When I slow back down to 60mph, it shifts back down to 5th gear. This seems backwards to me. The tranny shifts down normally when you mash the pedal. Shouldn't the car be in the highest gear when doing 60mph on the highway?

Also, when I try to go into manual mode on the highway and do 70mph, the indicator says I'm in 6th gear. But when I switch to auto mode (without changing speed), the tranny shifts up and the revs go down so I know I wasn't in 6th in manual mode.

I bring this up because last year (before I met my gf), the car had issues that it wouldn't shift up. It started overheating because it was redlining on the highway and it resulted in some $5k worth of repairs. I don't have the specific detail on what they found, but sounds like it might be happening again.

Anyone know what if the behaviour I described above is normal?

 

Since the car has a CVT, the gears are just simulated.....so it feels and sounds like a normal transmission, rather than just buzzing at a single rpm.
Many of these thansmissions have real issues, and parts are not avalable. Mini does have a software update that my help....but if the problem is mechanical....the ONLY way to fix it (other than selling the car) is a new transmission from the dealer....regular fluid changes are VERY important with these transmissions. Go to the dealer, start a paper trail, and when the time comes, maybe they will help you out, perhaps goodwill part of a repair if needed.
Good Luck!!

 

Thanks for the quick reply. Just to confirm, I thought cars in '05 had a conventional tranny, not a CVT?

 

2005 Cooper Auto (non-S): CVT
Cooper S Auto: Aisin 6 Speed Steptronic (Conventional)

 

I had this exact same problem with my '05 CVT MC. I know this is going sound like a farce - but this actually fixed the issue permanently with me:

Drive around constantly for two days in "sport" mode - where the transmission lever is pushed to the right with in "D". After two days, go back to driving in normal "D" mode. You'll notice the transmission selects the proper ratio again while driving at highway speeds. This solution was recommended to me by a MINI tech; and I didn't believe him either until it actually worked. I haven't had the problem for a year and half since I performed the procedure.

I lived with this problem needlessly for a year where every time I lifted the throttle at 65 - 70 MPH, the engine would start racing and I got fairly severe engine braking when I just wanted to coast.

 

wmcilwain,
That is exactly the problem I noticed. Unless I'm pressing on the gas, the revs would go up like it's shifting to a lower "gear". I'll try that and let you know.

Thanks for the info!

 

Just a followup to this post and a big thank you to wmcilwain! I did what he said and drove around in "sport" mode for 2 days. The transmission was completely different afterwards and behaved as I thought it should have to begin with. Now it revs properly and intuitively. Never would have guessed. Thanks again!

 

Glad to hear it worked for you as well! I've been going over a year without the problem comming back. If it ever does for you, you'll know what to do.