Mini Cooper Transmission Problems
8 01 2008Seems as though we have had a recent rush on questions and problems related to the various transmissions that have been used in the MINI Cooper since it’s introduction in 2001. Most people had heard about the update of the internal gears in the popular 6 speed manual transmission as used in the MCS. And we finally hearing from some people actually trying to take advantage of the improved ratio by simply swapping a late tranny for the early one. From all reports the mechanical swap is not a difficult one and the results reported from more than one person can be quoted as ’stunning’! But there is a drawback! In return for all that greatly improved old fashion acceleration you will have to give up a modern sought after feature: cruise control. While not specific to the transmission upgrade, the ECU for the MCS for ‘05/’06 models and the only feature lost in this trans swap is the cruise control. Those that we spoke to said it was the only issue and was a small price to pay for the improved performance.
On a negative front , we have also now heard from several people that are having problems with their automatic transmission as found in the very early MC & MCS. These CVT were innovative when introduced and engineered to use the best torque and HP from the MINI engine to provide smooth and effortless movement. But reliability was is biggest issue and while the tranny was replaced a few years later with a more convention automatic with their heavy torque converter, etc, the upgrade was proof that even the factory was convinced that the CVT could be used for the long term. The real bad news that as the factory forecasts come true with CVT failures (most of them “out of warranty”- the current owner is faced with the reality that the ONLY solution is a new CVT transmission that is only available from a dealer for $5,000+ OUCH! I would thus advise anyone considering a MINI Cooper automatic to stay away from the CVT version!
I just have to say I’m glad I waited till the better automatic transmission became available for my MCS. Otherwise I believe I would be if not already, have traded in. $5K, geez, for a “new” piece of junk no less!
Repair/replacement of the CVT actually runs closer to $7400 (I speak from experience). If I had that kind of a repair bill as a result of a collison, the car would be considered totaled.
The fact that MINI no longer uses the CVT system is an admission that they don’t believe it is reliable yet they refuse to help those of use who tested it for them. The customer ends up paying the price for MINI’s experiment with CVT.
If MINI has such disregard for their customers with CVT problems, it makes you wonder if they care about their customers at all. I’ll never buy another and I hope anyone who reads this will think twice (at least) before they do. It will be the most expensive $20K car you ever bought.
I just had the CVT replaced in my 2006 MC under warranty. There was absolutely no problem - the service rep. knew what the problem was as soon as I described the sound to him. It took just over a day to replace and the dealer gave us a loaner before we even asked.
At least for those of us still under warranty, the dealers know what’s up and at least here they treat you right.
I am now experiencing this problem on my 2003 Cooper with 113,000. A very loud constant whirring noise has developed and has been confirmed that it indeed a bad CVT transmission! I cannot believe MINI is doing nothing for their original US customers! It appears I am, as they say, Sh*t out of luck…
Anyone tried an automatic to manual swap for these cars? Should be possible, as the auto shifter is in the same place….new clutch/brake levers….hmmm. A friend has a CVT model…it literally exploded and is trashed internally. Not even worth a rebuild according to the dealer. Any chance that someone has tried such a swap? Better than dropping almost $8K for another CVT trans….!
Derswede
im a 23 yr old - and purchased my mini 2 yrs ago - 2004 mini cooper, im having the same transmission problem and am so dissapointed with the service received from BMW - it really is not fair that so many people with the same problems have no way to resolve it ??? except for putting our hands in our pocket, shame on you BMW!!! customer service “where has it gone?” im out of warranty
im so upset and can hardly afford to fix my problem… i love my car but so upset thats its been such a dissapointment….
fi
2003 mini shut down on me going up a hill !!!! what a problem that coud have been. I bought my mini new and have had the engine light on forever even after i leave the dealership it flashes back on….but, the popping noise and just not moving blew me doors off!!!!! today i did some research and to my disappointment have seen that not only did my trans blow but everyone else will face this problem real soon…..mini usa your company needs to be the bigger guy and help out your customers and stop feeding bmw’s fat pocket book!!!!!!!!!!!!
You’ve talked me out of buying a Mini
I too have a 2003 Mini whose transmission failed out of warrantee (it’s actually my son’s). The transmission started to whine/grind, especially in low gears, at around 34000 miles, around January of this year. At that point, it was out of warrantee (my son doesn’t drive that much or that hard) and so I took it to a local mechanic that I trust. He confirmed that the transmission was shot, and not knowing that this seemed to be a common issue, I had him replace it.
Now that I found out how common this seems to be, I called the local dealership (Motorwerks Mini in Minneapolis, the only dealer in town, and where I bought the car), and 866-ASK-MINI, and they both basically told me there was nothing they could do, and claimed that they had not heard about this problem.
I filed a complaint with the NTHSA over the phone (they’re sending it to me via regular mail to sign), will probably end up making a complaint to the BBB, and join class action suit if one gets started.
The money I’m out hurts, but what I’m more concerned about is if this replaced transmission is likely to fail in another 35000 miles. I can’t afford to do this again, and I’m wondering if I should sell the car while it’s still running OK.
There are other places to buy the mini CVT transmission. ZF industries has authorized dealers in the US. http://www.dosebmw.com is one of those dealers. They can purchase the same exact transmission as the mini dealer at a lower cost. Then pass that savings to the customer. As of right now the CVT transmission runs $4600.00 with a 2 year unlimited mileage warranty. Check out the website and see for yourself. There is a link to ZF showing all the authorized dealers.
I purchased my Mini Cooper in 2004 and have had nothing but problems. Not only have I gone through three clutches, but I have also had the same transmission problems that everyone else has talked about. My transmission went out at 55,000 (right after warranty) and they informed me that this was completely normal. Overall, I have put over TEN THOUSAND dollars of repair into this car and I am just about fed up. Sure it gets great gas millage, but when I have to spend almost double what the car is worth in repairs I hardly think it is worth it. My MINI is actually in the shop right now because the AC went out. In Houston at the beginning of summer is the perfect time for that to happen, but don’t worry… I have the $1,800 it costs to have it fixed just lying around. Ugh.
So disappointing to have heard and read about so many people having problems. BMW took good care of us in the past on our BMW, but not on this issue. Just bought my wife an Acura TL as a “thank you” to BMW for leaving us stranded on my car (MCS with the CVT). Our 5-series served us well, but that doesn’t make up for the bad step-child feeling we received with the Mini.
Yes there are so many faults with the Cooper CVT ( I know because I repair them)
Most faults are caused by using the wrong oil or not servicing them on time or not following the proceedures subscribed by BMW.
All prices are different so why not getting the CVT repaired. We can supply you with all the parts and info how to do this.
I have a 2006 mini cooper.
Auto- 6 speed.
When using the paddle shifter…..the gear seems to grab twice before actually engaging.
When in regular “drive” mode….the tranny seems confused on which gear it should be in.
Leaving the stop light requires a 2 second throttle mash….before it all engages. Lightning fast off the light……i don’t think so.
Any suggestions..comments??
Of…and speaking of the mini……..anyone elses car gets tremendous rock chips??
I run into a bee on the highway….and i get a chip.
Anyone else??
I just bought a 2008 Cooper convertible with a CVT new from the Mini dealer in Scottsdale, AZ. Is this the same CVT that all of you are having problems with or is it a different version? I heard that Mini made some transmission changes around 2006-07, but can’t find any info on it. Wish I would have found this website earlier.