My 2006 Cooper with 35k needs a new transmission. I have brought it to 4 places and all of them have said it would cost $6000 or more. I paid $6500 for it last year, and now I just don't know what to do.

What is the cheapest way to fix my car, because otherwise I just have to get rid of it. Any ideas?

 

$6K sounds high... is this an automatic?

 

Automatic CVT

 

You might check out this thread if you've got any mechanical skills. https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...built-cvt.html

 

Sorry to hear...

Did your diagnosis/quotes come from mechanics familiar with MINIs?

You don't want just any shop to do this work. Half of what they charge in labor will been spent figuring the job out. This is a job where familiarity with the vehicle is of paramount importance.

As to options, here's a CVT transmission for your car ($1750) where the seller accepts returns if made within 30-days, and also offers a 90-day warranty. Donor car had only 105,000 miles on it.

I can't imagine that it would cost much more than $1000 labor for a MINI knowledgeable indie shop to install it; maybe some of our vendor shops such as Detroit Tuned and Way Motor Works can weigh in and lend their expertise on such a repair.

 

Yes, two of the places were BMW/Mini focused. I was shocked to see that all 4 places said upwards of $6000. Thank you for finding that transmission though! If I go that route, it will be a lot cheaper! I just don't want to give up on my car yet, since it has so little miles.

 

If you are serious on keeping the car go for the Cooper S 6 speed mod and make it a manual! Not an easy job at all on the CVT one (you need also to change the Body Control Module I think) but it has been done in the past, google it.
If you are not serious about it just look for a used one, you`ll find one around 2k. Just be clear about it with the next owner of the car...

 

We see these failures all the time and unfortunately you are now in that boat. The cost of a new CVT alone without labor is more than the car is worth. So we do CVT to manual conversions all the time. All the mechanical parts will bolt in. And you do NOT replace any of the computers as we reprogram and code them to a manual. The car will actually drive better with the 6spd as it is lighter, and geared well so you can get better mileage out of it and not worry about another trans failure.

 

Glad to hear you can do the re-coding of the exising modules and there is no need to get them from donor vehicle and also glad to hear that there is someone that offers the 6 speed upgrade as a complete package. I did it sourcing the parts myself and it was quite a PITA, albeit one totally worth it. Moreover, OP should keep in mind that with the 6 speed upgrade also a nice LSD can go in.

 

How much should it cost to turn it into a manual? The car only has 35k.

 

If fixing it isn’t an option, how much realistically could I get for it? It is in mint condition and always been garaged. The transmission is failing but, still drives fine.

 

very sorry to hear about your awesome mini :(
Especially with so low miles.

So does it "run"

What do you mean the transmission is failing? " still drives fine" ????

Slippage ?

I would contact coastmotorwerk in California.

They have fixed many cvt with issues. THEY have said it is a software corruption caused by low voltage during cranking.

Most cases...a new battery , software, and re-adapting the transmission cures the problem.

If the car is " mint" and the engine is excellent condition as well. I would repair it if it was MY car.

Good Luck.

Don't give up hope

 

Thank you! I love my Mini so much, so I'll keep looking for the solution. Don't want to give up on it yet.

Yes, the car still runs and drives. This whole transmission problem started with a transmission leak that went unnoticed, and we realized it too late. The main problem with the car now is that there is a consistent helicopter-like noise whenever it moves. We brought it to get the 30K transmission service done and the noise softened a bit, but is still there. It still has power and drives, but it does seem to get jerky at low speeds (like pulling into a parking spot).

Coastal Motor Week was one of the places I contacted since they are so close to me, but they were one of the places that said $6000 to repair. :(

I was just thinking of buying a used transmission and hoping replacing won't be as much as repairing.

 

$6000 to repair your existing transmission, or to replace it with a new one?

 

If it was MY car..... and I was going to keep it ( plan on keeping mine forever ) I would put a new one in or rebuilt one.

You could go with a used one ....but you never know what you get....sure you get a 90 day warranty....but if fails at 6 months or so....now right back where you started.

$6000.00 seems very high to repair.

Ask them to write a quote on what exactly will be done and post it here.

Good Luck !!!!!

 

What are your symptoms?

 

Symptoms are a helicopter-noise that one person thought was the belt changing through gears/flapping because it got worn out. And the occasional jerk when driving slowly. But when it is on the highway or going 50+ it drives fine, all besides the noise.

I really want to keep it, it’s just hard when the price is so high. :(

 

How handy are you? Reason I ask is I have a complete CVT parts trans with 60k on it. I could supply you bits if you need any.

 

Did you ever pull the pan off yours to see if there are any bits laying in there?

 

Unfortunately not very handy. Just a college student.

After the holidays, I’m going to bring it to Coastal Motor Werk for a diagnostic. I called and that’s when they gave the $6000, I just have to find time to bring it there to see if it could be repaired for cheaper.

When we got the 30k transmission service done when all this started, the fluid was clear of metal bits.

 

I guess my next question would be. Levels were set correctly at the correct temperature? Correct CVT fluid was used?

 

Yes, it was done at a place that only does Coopers.

 

That's a good decision to bring it in to CMW.

THEN they can tell you exactly what is issue.

Lets hope for a Christmas miracle and it is a fairly simple repair!!!

 

I think my search is finally over, and I didn’t want to accept it, but the transmission is definitely failing. They said it was the differential / trans axle and that it wouldn’t be a cheap repair. But just wanted to let you guys know exactly what it was in case you have the same thing. Thank you all for the help though, it was really appreciated. Just wish I had a different answer, sadly.