I just bought a 2004 base Cooper with 100K+ miles on it. As far as I can research the fluid in the CVT has never been changed. The car is mint. The only driving issue is the RPM's flare at speeds between 50-55 MPH. Seems to work fine otherwise. I plan to change the fluid. Probably use the red line brand. I see Valvoline has a CVT product but cannot find that anyone has an opinion whether it is a good choice. Most everyone thinks Red Line is a good choice. Is it likely this will fix my RPM issue? Is there anything else I should check? I am many hours from a Mini dealer. Should I check the existing fluid to see if it smells burnt? If it is burnt is it likely the tranny is shot? Where is the best place to check it? Is there a dip stick?

I have a 2004 S manual that I have had for years and it has been completely trouble free except a broken serp belt while racing at Elkhart Lake. Its Dinan 5'ed and a few other things. Beats up on lots of supposedly faster cars.

Thanks for any help.

 

Whats involved in a 6 speed manual swap for the CVT? Lot's I would imagine. Anyone in the Midwest do these? What expense?

 

The computer should be reset per mini after the fluid is changed...
Regular changes and keeping it flushed might prevent needing this step...
Due to the cost of a tranny, i would be very cautios about trying to save a few bucks by testing a new fluid...the belt is what isually fails....
The only real fix to a cvt is to convert to a stick....driven nice, they can last, but it is still a $7000 failure waiting to happen....i think a functioing cvt mini will be very rare in another decade.

 

Waymotorworks in atlanta has done a few...
he has a thread....you will loose the cruise...and a few other odd things...
Like no clutch started interlock, and maybe no backup lights, but a good way to keep a cvt on the road if you don't mind driving a stick..

The 6 speed is much better (feel and longevity) to the midlands....the gear ratio in the justa is not perfect, but most folks seem to like it anyway!!
If still drivable, i would take a vacation to atlanta...drop the car off....and drive it home a few days later!!

 

If I pull the bottom plug will I get all the fluid out of it? If not is there a method? Will it be drivable for a 5 hour run to get the computer reset? Is there any other way to reset it? I saw a thread somehwere about running it through the gears manually to reset. I can reset the computer in my Dodge Cummins by disconnecting the batteries. Would that work on a Mini? Thx

 

This happened to our cvt. the fix is to have it reprogrammed by the dealer and have the fluid changed. We had ours done last year and it's been perfect ever since.

 

The backup light can be done by splicing part of a manual "S" harness into the existing harness. Just the pigtail that goes to the switch. When I did my conversion (from Midlands), I didn't want to bother with trying to track down the right connector, so I actually soldered wires directly to my reverse switch, sealed it with liquid electrical tape, and used generic spade connectors to connect to my factory harness. Stuff I had on hand. People also say you have to use an aftermarket hot air intake on a 5 to 6 conversion, but I modified my factory airbox to work with the Getrag rear mount. Not sure if you could do the same with the CVT airbox, but I wouldn't doubt it.

 

I have a 2005 CVT aso with 100k+ on it. It has had regular CVT drain/refills done during the Inspection services (30k miles intervals). It is part of my local dealer service package. Not sure if all the MINI dealers follow the same processes for the CVT fluids.

I have no experience with Redline but there are posts here that say it works well. You will also find a DIY thread as well. Basically there are 3 access holes. One on top, one on bottom to drain from, and one on side that is the fill hole. Others have done a drain and then a top fill. Once filled, they remove the actual fill hole plug and that allows for the oil to self level via this fill. Make sure you follow the instructions on moving thru the gears to get it lubed correctly.

As a side, call around to your closest MINI dealers and see if they have records for the car and can verify if they have ever done the change. Even though it may be a long shot, you never know what the prior owners have done.

Like anything, if you care for it, you can make it last.

Personally I don't think that all the negatives spoken about the CVT are factual as much as they are here-say. Don't get me wrong. The CVT has had failures. No argument. But of the total amount of CVTs manufactured how many have failed? Remember MINI is not the only company that used this tranny.

Saying the only fix is to swap to a manual is just not practical. First off, as I have heard, some stuff just won't work after you do this. You should verify that with someone who has been thru this swap.

Good Luck with your car.

 

It's called "Internet Fact." A bunch of lemmings repeating what others have said - how could it not be true? I listened to all that, and did the Getrag swap for my Midlands (bought car with grenaded trans), but sometimes I regret it.

 

That is a great term, since many people that call me quote internet facts as being gospel, even though they can be 100% wrong

As for CVT failures, I say its not if it will fail, its when will it fail. I've seen so many I don't trust them, and if someone is buying one buy an extended warranty that will cover it.

You don't have to have the dealer reset the adaptations after changing fluid. Usually going from N-D 6 times, then n-R 6 times, then drive it up to 50mph and let the car slow down to under 10mph without using the brakes.

Yes the Redline CVT Fluid seems to be pretty good for these.

 

Update: I changed the fluid by pulling the drain plug to drain and using the top to fill. I had it tipped up on ramps. Almost 5 quarts came out of a dark cloudy reddish colored fluid that was obviously well used. The car has 114K miles. Both plugs were in so tight I thought the allen was going to break loosening them. I think thats factory so I am betting the fluid was never changed. I refilled with 4.75 qts of Valvoline CVT and it now works fine. I will try the computer reset but I had the battery out of the car so I think that resets it anyway. It does on my Dodge Cummins. Took it to where we have a quarter mile marked off. Ran it manually up to the redline in each gear and it did 93 mph. Thats 3 more than my 66 GTO did. Not bad!

Thanks everyone.