Is Mini doing anything about this horrible excuse for a transmission ? I can't even find a repair shop in MA who wants to attempt the job. 2003 , well maintained . My dealer is even whining . Help, suggestions ,magic ? It just started surging ( like out of gas ) then eventually stopped. Thanks for any suggestions

 

Any details to offer?

 

You do not say when you last serviced, renewed fluid, reprogrammed your CVT. I hope all the dealers are still providing normal service but you may have to check to find one who is confident that they can help you. Anyway there are some things that can be done in the gear selector area but there are fewer guys who know their way around the now discontinued CVT as they rotate out of dealerships and the CVT cars are disappearing. BMW/MINI are not making this service any easier and would be happier if they all went away and everyone just bought what's selling now.

 

Mine is 2005 CVT. Is there a difference in CVT's in the different year Mini's? Mine is a 2005, doing fine but I'm aware of problems that could be.

Is the CVT in this video the same as in all automatic MINI's? This tech is going to repair it? I've read since owning my MINI that it's unlikely the CVT can be repaired. Maybe I misunderstood.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGwd7NtLh_A

 

Yes, that's the CVT transmission. The same transmission was used on several European models, and the Japanese are using a similar design.

Of course, it can be repaired. Iit all depends on having the right parts, tools and know how. Parts seem to be available, but not through normal channels. The dealers are instructed by BMW to pull the transmission and exchange it with a factory rebuilt. That's why the repair costs so much.

I have seen posts from mechanics who have repaired this transmission. Some Mini mechanics have posted that they have worked on over a hunderd CVT cars, and only rarely seen a CVT failure.

The one thing a customer can do is change the CVT fluid every 30K miles. Mini has gone back and forth on how often, if ever, this fluid should be changed. The transmission builder, ZF, recommended every 30K miles.

If anyone wants to do this himself and cannot find the EZL 799A fluid, send me a PM.

 

Tahoe Ron,
Thanks

 

Some of the needed parts are available here:
http://new.minimania.com/web/SUBTYPE..._Inventory.cfm