I have this 2005 Coopers S with automatic trans. When cold the vehicle shifts great. Once warmed up the up shifts and down shifts are hard. It actually slams and will make the tires chirp between shifts. The fluid level is good, the vehicle has 68k miles. I brought it up to Towne Mini in Buffalo which is a 1.5 hour drive each way for me and they told me that they want to replace my transmission. I just cant understand why at such low mileage this could be happening. Also why does it shift so well when its cold and not so when its warm. Does anyone have a recommendation on where I could go to get a second opinion before I spend thousands of dollars on a replacement transmission? I live in Canandaigua NY 14424 which is close to Rochester or Syracuse NY. Thanks guys.

Ok, so I think I found a place in Geneva NY, Geneva Foreign & Sports. I have left my car with them and they are going to do some testing and call me tomorrow. I really hope that this can be resolved without putting a new transmission in. If I do need new transmission should I try to get a rebuilt one or brand new from Mini?

Have a read at this, should be a few cheaper things you could try first before getting a new autobox.
http://www.mini2.com/forum/first-generation-faults-fixes/177573-aggressive-downshifting-auto.html

Ok, they just called and confirmed to me that I don't need a transmission. They said they replaced the synthetic transmission fluid and readapted the transmission and it is shifting perfectly at all times. They are going to keep it over night and drive it some more but said its shifting like new. I will keep you updated.

Got my car back this morning and it drives fantastic. I don't think it has shifted this smooth since it was new. I am a very happy camper. I have no idea why Towne Mini wanted to change my whole transmission except for the fact of making money.

They were very polite and knowledgeable at Geneva Foreign & Sports. I spoke with Ken there and he brought me out into the shop and showed me around their facility. He gave me the Mini computers printout and explained each and every code on it. I have also been getting a brake message sometimes on my dash and they explained that one of my brake pad sensors was just about touching and causing the light to come on. I was very happy with their work and price. I will continue to use this garage. Here is the info if anyone else wants a second opinion.

Geneva Foreign & Sports
2787 Lyons Road
Geneva, NY 14456

315-789-4575 or Geneva Foreign & Sports - CNY's Leading Source for Quality Used Foreign Sports Cars, and Pre Owned Sports Cars (http://www.gfs1.com)

Thats good news, a lot better than having to fork ot for a new transmission,
its like I mentioned with our laguna it was thumping into gear more so on the down shifts, but after I did a few drain & fills of the atf it was shifting 90% better.

Just shows what a load of b@ll@x it is when BMW tell you the autobox is filled for life, same thing they told me at Renault :hmph:

Just as a matter of interest are you sure it was synthetic atf in the mini as the atf as I used in the laguna is the exact same as the mini uses jws 3309 spec whch is a mineral based fluid. did they tell you how they readapted the transmission, was it a simple disconnection of the battery for thirty mins or so.

I think our cooper s auto could do with a fluid change as sometimes it will shift a tad hard into second gear, up & down, but ours has only done 24k miles, like yours, ours seems to shift smooth when cold.

They told me that they had seen this many times and that they were going to upgrade my fluid to a full synthetic. They told me that for a little extra money it lasts longer and is noticeably smoother. I can definitely account for that. As for the adaptation I think they did it with their Mini computer. :D:):D

To bring up an old post was your problem solved long term by this repair?

Also were you experiencing any slipping between gears in addition to harsh shifting?

Thank you

My 2003 Mini has a problem when shifting into Drive or Reverse. It will Stall out UNLESS GIVEN GAS THEN WILL CONTINUE FINE IN EITHER FORWARD OR REVERSE
It Chatters and then stalls out. HELP..

They told me that they had seen this many times and that they were going to upgrade my fluid to a full synthetic. They told me that for a little extra money it lasts longer and is noticeably smoother. I can definitely account for that. As for the adaptation I think they did it with their Mini computer. :D:):D

If the transmission shifts better when its cold and not when its hot it sounds like the oil is breaking down and getting too thin when it heats up, so replacing it with some new fully sunthetic oil might help with this as it performs better hot, either that or the ambient temperature where you are is fairly high and you could do with a transmission oil cooler like they recommend on vehicles towing with auto tranmission?