Hello All. I have a 2005 steptronic mini cooper. A few months ago it was in a “minor” accident that caused a bit of damage. A large SUV in a parking lot backed into my driver’s side rear quarter panel. Of course the “beast” was undamaged but I couldn’t say the same for my poor mini. The accident crunched in the tire well and left a large dent on the driver’s side, but other than that there didn’t appear to be any other problems. I was able to drive my car around until the insurance kicked in so I could get it fixed.
I brought the car to the shop to be fixed and they replaced the entire panel-but it took so long for them to fix it that the battery had died… I didn’t know this at first, but after I had to jump my car for the first time I thought back. I remembered that when I had picked it up all the settings were reset and that they had kept my car running outside(they probably jumped it and didn’t tell me). Anyways not too big of a deal, an easy fix right? So I made an appointment to have my battery changed. The day before my appointment my car started acting strange. The engine was sporadically reving loudly. I pulled over and tried to assess the issue. I just checked the obvious things such as fluid levels, etc. I’m not in any way a car mechanic so I didn’t really know what to look for. I was however relieved when I noticed that the oil levels were a bit below the line, I thought I had found the culprit... So I went to pick up more oil to put in the car and figured I’d just get my oil changed the next day as well. I put one bottle of oil in the car to see if it would alleviate the problem in the meantime. It worked (or so I thought) and I was able to drive around for the rest of that day with no issues.

The next morning it was time for me to drive my car to the shop. This is when I became super concerned about my mini. The loud reving came back-but this time it was consistent and continuous. The more gas I gave, the louder it would get, and I mean it was loud! Loud enough that I’m sure fellow motorists on the road were concerned. When I began to gain speed the car would feel very reluctant and “scream” loudly. Being this car is practically the love of my life I was on the verge of tears myself…It was as if I could tell it was in serious pain. I drove slowly all the way to the shop to minimize the sound. As I was driving I realized that the sound reminded me of a Manual when you over rev. I switched it over to steptronic and realized the car would not shift past second gear. Even so, going a speed of 30 MPH which should be ok to do in second gear, the car was very loud

I finally made it to the shop and told them the issue… They changed the oil and the battery but the problem still persisted (of course). They said it could be the transmission(my worst nightmare!) . I left depressed…

I kept following up with the shop but they couldn’t figure out exactly what the issue was. Their newest find was that it could be the CPU. So they went ahead and fixed/updated the CPU on the car… Still no go. The car still wont shift. They have no clue what it is. I searched online myself and to no avail. Would someone here be able to help me out?

This is my first car and my dream car, it took me a lot to save up and get this car on my own. I hadn’t had any issues with it before the accident and I don’t know much about cars. I’m military stationed in Germany-so all the mechanics I’ve been dealing with are German. But my mini is US spec. Please help. Thanks in advance…

 

curious: does yr. car have paddles on the steering wheel for shifting? If not, you have the CVT (Continuously Variable) automatic--not very reliable to begin with--and it does not have a Steptronic interface. Now, if U do have paddles, then you have the Aisin 6-speed "conventional" torque-converter automatic, which is very reliable and has Steptronic (I cant remember if they were available for 05 MCs).

If U have the former, it could have just failed on you, they are notorious for this, and that's why they were eventually dumped for the Aisin. If U have the latter, then it could be a simple software interface issue between Steptronic and the car's CPU.

But the questions is: do U have paddles?

 

My car does not have Paddles...If its common for issues to happen with these, would it have been a recalled item?

 

CVT mini's have tons of issues...do a search!!
Regular fluid changes are super important to keep them running...
Even then, they seem to randomly fail...
Only solution is a new tranny from mini/BMW, if it has indeeded failed. Repair parts are not sold.
Once you are sure it is not a software issue related to the battery dying, or getting new software/ getting it reflashed, you are kinda SOL....it is about a $7500 USD fix.

 

Well, then Im afraid U have a CVT, or "rubber band" transmissions as they are commonly called-- recalls are only performed under safety issues, and failed CVTs, of which there are plenty, arent exactly safety related. Sorry U have to go thru this, but those crack German service folks should quit acting like ignoramouses and know how to fix your problem.

good luck, and as Zippy says, replacement with a rebuilt unit--of which U should also get a 2 year warranty minimum--is the only option, and it could get very $$$.

 

fml... Hopefully that wont be what it is. Thanks for the help-Ill keep you guys updated.

 

A fender-bender would not harm the insides of the CVT transmission, where the true aweful failures would occur. The CVT uses a computer to shift, so the problem is more likely in the computer, or, hopefully, in the connection between the computer, the cvt, or its sensors.

 

Whatever the case-if I luck out and its not the actual transmission thats burnt, I think I may be needing to buy a newer mini that doesn't have CVT. My car is around 61000 miles, so its near the time they usually fail...With me owing around 6000$ on the car, and having only paid 11500$ for it altogether-I just cant validate paying 7000+ to repair it. If this is a CVT issue now and it has to be replaced, I think I may just trade in the mini and get a newer one... Not something I wanted to be rushed into doing so soon, but I still do love mini coopers...

 

All, thanks for the help- The dealer here finally confirmed that the issue is the CVT, and that it needs to be completley replaced... They gave me a price of 6,391 USD altogether. (5,186 fo the parts and 1,205 for labor...) Is there anyway I could get mini to help offset the costs-I read in another forum that someone contacted mini USA to help...

So, I tried calling mini USA-but they couldnt help. Despite my car being US Spec, they have no record of the VIN because it has never been registered in the US... Im now trying to work with the dealer here to see what can be done. Im trying to salvage as much money as I can in this situation (either way it seems like I will be losing money.. ) It may come to trading in my car for a newer one. The question is-is it worth it to buy another mini if they have such poor costumer service and are so expensive to fix? Maybe these cars are only meant for the rich...

 

Unfortunately the cvt was a newish, unproven technology that did offer the promise of some efficiency gains. Mini tried it, did not like it, and went back to traditional trannys.
A few companys (like nissian) did extend the warrenty on their cvt's due to issues, Mini has kept pretty quiet on the issue....sometimes offering discounts on parts for car matained by them.
My 05 S has been built proof...sure parts are a bit more than a Honda, but the drive is more fun. There is a premium to be paid for mini fun...not an outrageous amount , and less if you stay away from the dealer, like on any car. Good luck on what ever you decide.

 

Hey there, I have a 2006 mini cooper s with paddle shifters with this problem! What do you mean by software interface issue? And how do I fix it? Any advice I would appreciate! Thanks

 

You had stated in another thread that a mechanic was able to pull a code referencing a pressure control solenoid in the valve body. Did you get that looked at already?

 

I ordered a valve body from ebay and it is suppossed to be here today or tomorrow. I am praying that fixes the issue, but just in case it dosn't I am trying to learn as much as possible. My car isnt letting me put it into manual mode and my paddle shifters are not working either, just regualar Drive mode but no D instead it says EP I am just trying to figure out if the valve body has anything to do with this

 

There are 2 failure modes. One is electronic/controller the other is mechanical. If the car revs to about 3000 rpm and stays there, it is limp home mode (electronic/controller/servo). If the car revs easily to almost redline (1st gear only, and also reverse). It is mechanical. Please read the attached to familiarize yourself with the CVT.

 

I do not have a CVT