I purchased a used 2006 R53 from a MINI dealership a couple of weeks ago that has 46,xxx miles. I observed jerky shifting after the car warms up. My mechanic also told me that he doesn't like the sound of it. I contacted the general manager of the dealership where I bought the car. She immediately responded and I brought it in yesterday. They advised me that they performed a "shift adaption" as well as adding more tranny fluid and it is now working much better. Going to pick it up tomorrow. Are they pulling my leg here? I thought that the Aisin trannies aren't adaptable like the CVTs. Is this most likely just a band aid?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

There are adaptations that can be reset on the Aisin trans, but they aren't as horrid to relearn as the CVT. I would've recommended just having the pan dropped and the fluid and filter changed at that point, they need to go through much the same process and you are getting a nearly full flush and new filter.

 

Thanks! I will be sure to ask my mechanic about this. I picked it up today and noticed that it is improved but still jerks when downshifting. Fortunately, the local mechanic who performed work on it last week offered to take it on a road test next week. We'll see. Might be the whole valve body.

 

Does the shop have a scan tool that reads trans temp? If not, they did the job wrong.

You need to measure the trans fluid level at a certain temperature, otherwise you're probably underfilled.

 

I am not sure but I can ask. I brought it to my mechanic yesterday and we both went on a test drive. He noted that it has improved but shifts from 1st to 2nd as well as 2nd to 3rd are still problematic. Contacted dealership and they are letting me bring it back in tomorrow. So far all of their fixes have been at no charge to me. I can't see that continuing if it turns out to be the valve body though.

 

Went on road test with same mechanic from dealership. He noticed that there is still a problem and they will replace the valve body. Pretty happy!! One of the key fobs I received doesn't work. I am tempted to ask about that as well.