preface - 2005 Cooper (not an S) - automatic 115,000 miles
have not checked fluid levels -
but transmission won't engage reverse or drive without gunning engine...
once in gear (after severe jumping forward or reverse) runs like a champ....
manual shifting works great -
no grinding or odd noises...

suggestions ?

have seen price tag on CVT type tranny's and they can give the fittest person heart failure...
manual from here on out - but I do have 2 automatics because my women folks don't like stick.... we may have to rethink MINI altogether...shame these automatics run so expensive...

 

The first gen S models have the very reliable Aisin 6 speed autos, so if you want to stay in the MINI family with an auto you might want to consider the first gen S models or any of the second gen autos (S and non-S) - all Aisin 6 speeds.

 

actually - the second mini is my wife's - '06 S - she loves it and no issues to date - other than rear window exploding for no reason - just woke one day to see it shattered... we do not live were kids could vandalize it - suspect that a driver or passenger was hitting defrost thinking it was front defrost and heated glazing too much? (that is the only theory we have so far)

but I think stick is still the economical choice should something go wrong - the ticket is just significantly less.

great day to ya...

 

This is exactly how the failure of my old CVT began $7500 repair, or get rid of it while you can still occasionally get it to work properly (this is what I did - she behaved perfectly for the trade-in inspection).

 

good for you - but I am pretty sure that I could not feel god about that - I know - no killer instinct...
we will see - weighing options...

 

The MA knew about it...but couldn't do anything about it without reproducing it on the test drive.

Either way, it's pretty hard for me to feel bad about a transmission they knew was bad back in 04 and didn't do anything about, whether it be recall or extend the warranty on it.

 

totally understand -
I was wondering what about a total swap with a completely different engine n tranny - since this will be either a $1500 - $2000 scrap or flower box -
what about another front wheel drive drop in - or manual shift swap....
not like I won't have to time to play with this art piece....?