My present car is a 2005 Cooper with CVT with less than 50K km on it. It is in excellent condition. I usually trade at the 5 year mark regardless of mileage. My wife loves the 2005 and we ordered it with all the things she wanted. So, do I keep it for however long, or trade while it has some value? The 2010 use the 6 speed automatic, but rumour has it that later models will use a new dual clutch transmission which will make the 6 speed obsolete. The dual clutch will likely be more complex and thus less reliable. Indeed the CVT just might be the best bet of the three. Most reported problems are high mileage and early models. The only negitive is in the serviceablitity of the CVT and the fact Canadain dealers not not recommend fluid changes which is strange. So I am in a position between a rock and a hard place. Do I keep the present car, trade for a car with the 6 speed, or wait for a dual clutch??? My gut feeling tells me the present car might just be the way to go, and my wife will be happy. It might be nice to know how many CVT cars Mini sold, and what percentage needed replacements. Too bad BMW wont do the Nissan thing.

The CVT is known for having quite a few failures although it sounds like your has been ok...I don't think it's been confirmed they will be releasing a dual clutch yet but even if they do as you say it may be less reliable. I'd go for the current 6 speed auto (I did..)

I guess that is my point, has the CVT had quite a few failures when we compare those that are known, minus cars that may have been abused, with the total CVT cars produced. How does this compare with other automatic transmissions from yesterday? Mine has been faultless to date, but it is low mileage. The 6 speed may be no more reliable, but it is fixable to a point. I do like the feel of the CVT now that I have grown accustomed to it. I worry about the dual-clutch transmissions as they seem so complex and there are dry and wet plates, which are best etc. Maybe the best bet is to wait and see but I hate seeing the trade-in value of the 2005 going down further. Thanks James, you gave me something to think about