I have a 2006 MCS with 72,150 miles and lately I've been experiencing hard shifting through, Drive, Sports Drive and with the shifters.

I've noticed that transmission will behave differently under high traffic conditions. Cruising in drive is perfect fine it's only in high traffic situations, stop and go traffic I experience hard shifting.

I was driving into work on the 405 the other week while using the paddles and the transmission seemed to think it was 2nd gear rather than 4th, which caused me to red line. I pulled over turned the car off and put it in park. Turned it back on and felt the car jerk and put it in drive and it was perfectly fine.

Then yesterday it happened again, I was driving in 4th and it was like I was in neutral it would rev and rev but had no gas, I dropped it into 3rd and it continued on it's way.

Now my question is has anyone else experienced anything like this and what are my options, should I service the transmission and have it flushed? I've called MINIworx in Redondo beach and they suggested a flush first and a scan.

 

Although BMW says the fluid is "lifetime" and doesn't need to be changed, I would definitely let them do a change first and see if that helps. The Aisin auto is usually pretty reliable, but I would definitley do the fluid change.

 

Thanks for the reply Suzanne's

That's what I figured as well, I called Long Beach Mini and asked them the same question and also to see how they would answer it. I had the same response, the "fluid is lifetime for 100k and doesn't need to be changed" ... So basically he's saying 100k miles is the life-time of the car? amazing...

But yes the flush is definitely on my list, cheaper alternative than jumping into to the pit.

Now did you flush your transmission on your auto or experience anything I've mentioned in my original post.

 

Another note to add, drove into work today in Drive (not sports drive or with the paddles) the car was completely fine.

 

Any dash lights? This sounds a lot like what I was experiencing when I had a bad wheel speed sensor, but it was accompanied by the dreaded "light trifecta".

That said, I think Suzanne's advice on the ATF flush sounds good. (In fact, I'm about due for one of those myself.)

 

I have an 06 MC manual, so not the same animal, but I was having hard shifting issues, and after going for a ride with me, the tech recommended a fluid change and had it done under warranty. He said, "BMW calls it a lifetime fluid.. but that's stupid. If you want to keep your car for a long time it makes sense to change the fluid."

 

Our 06 MCSA has the same issues it current has 105,xxx on it. It bangs into the first 3 gears pretty hard. Tends to act up more when its really hot out.

 

Next step for me is a flush.

 

Flush is scheduled tomorrow

 

I had some similar issues for the last little bit (46K miles) with a few hard shifts and some non shifts. Local MINI shop did a pan drop, replaced all tranny fluid (it was a bit brown) and also reset the adaptive "brain". Has been running very smooth since then.

 

Correction the 05 is the car with the problem

 

You experience hard shifting with the trifecta? I recently bought a used 06MCS for my wife and the trifecta kicked in after the 30day warranty with the Mercedes dealer closed.

I am going to replace the speed sensor in the front left and have my fingers crossed that will fix the problem.

Maybe that will help with the poor fuel mileage,too...only getting about22mpg local and maybe 26mpg highway. The best I can tell there have been no mods to reduce mileage...