[chrissalazar95]

I have a 2003 Mini automatic with about 60,000 miles on it. I've had a problem for a while where the gearbox refuses to shift up for sometime (the past year or so). It would only shift after you'd get to about 60mph. And every so often the RPM's that it would shift at would climb higher and higher to where it's now shifting at the redline. I took it into the dealer today and I've been notified that the box is indeed, broke. Metal shavings in the trans fluid.

Now, here's what I'm wondering. I've brought the car in for this very same problem twice before, and was told there was nothing wrong. I'm facing upwards of $6,000 to replace it. Could I ask for a reduction in that price because they failed to correct it at a time that might not have resulted in the gearbox's complete replacement? Obviously I'm out of warranty, I really want to keep the car (love the Mini), but I'm wondering if anyone else had a similar experience.

Thanks in advance.

[strz0001]

Sorry to hear this. I purchased an 02 with 110k miles and swapped the transmission out myself with a new one I purchased for 3300$ . The dealer will want near 7500$ for the full price swap, it's around 20 hours of labor for them plus list price for the part $4250, the other minor parts, tax, etc.

I would raise a stink about the previous attempts to remedy the issue while in warranty and try to get the price down. If that fails, find someone to do the work for you. I was able to follow the manual, research other people who posted clutch changes, and do it over two weekends. Let me know if you need any info on that process since I just did this 3 weeks ago. Good luck.

[chrissalazar95]

Wow thanks. It looks like I won't find out 'till tomorrow what kind of discount they're gonna offer. I'm not much of a mechanic, so I don't know how realistic it would be to do the work myself. I'm inclined to just take the hit and let them do it.

I just took a look around at the other posts on this subject, and man I can't beleive that this is a known issue. This, along with the THREE windshields I've put in add up to a car that I may have to sell in the mid-future. Its a great car - and a shame that problems like these are getting in the way of enjoying it.

[chrissalazar95]

Okay, so Mini is gonna front the cost of labor, something like 4 grand. Not bad, I suppose. Still, it's really frustrating because I had explained the car's behavior to both Mini and on this board, with both camps explaining to me how the cvt "really works". I had to physically drag someone to ride in the car with me before anyone would believe me!
Whelp, that's the way the cookie bounces. Anyway, a big thanks to the everyone for their help, and if any of you want to buy a 2003 mini with a brand new transmission...um guys?

Thanks again!

[ecylai]

i have a very similar problem with my car now.

well my car was not able to get pass 2k revs today. the harder u push the throttle the less revs it gets. to 1.5k revs

do u think its the transmission problem. as my cvt is at 56k/km

[red cooper1]

I also have a similar problem. From a start sometimes the car will not rev pass 1500 rpm. If I stop and put tyhe car in neutral and back into drive the problem disappears.I have been to the dealer twice and have 1- software upgrade 2 -engine management computer replaced .Still have problem ,it only occurs occassionaly .The cvt is showing no error message but I have my suspicions .My car has 96000 klms or 60000 mls. any help would be appreciated.

[ecylai]

Hi Red

I'm still trying to figure out this same problem with my car. taken it back to the dealer to get the ecu reprogrammed but a week later the same thing happened again.

Taking it back to BMW to have a look hope this time it will get fixed perminately.

[NoNo]

Oh no! Sorry to hear your problem returned

[mini_macky]

is there any way to reduce stress on the CVT?

on monthly fun runs, i drive my CVT hard, tugging on the shifter just before it reaches redline to keep up with the MCSs in the group

do you think that this kind of driving is shortening my CVT's lifespan?

[Kevblee]

hmmm, very interesting. The CVT on my first Cooper had numerous transmission problems with finding a gear around 60 mph....it could not decide to up or down shift...took it in numerous times to be "reprogrammed" only to be back again and again. Finally, at 40K miles the transmission died, leaving me stranded on the freeway in rush hour. Mini replaced the transmission and I had no problems after that. Sold the car at 51K miles. I have been told by the dealer I bought my new 2006 "S" Mini at, that the CVT transmissions in 02 and 03 cars are VERY problematic. I would have raised a major stink if it happened after the warranty was up.

[ecylai]

My thoughts is that not all the 02 - 03 CVT are lemons. Or else there will be a recall of the cars.

[cafemoc]

Quote: Originally Posted by ecylai

My thoughts is that not all the 02 - 03 CVT are lemons. Or else there will be a recall of the cars.

That could be true, but after passed 60,000 miles with Mar/03 CVT, I am thinking to replace with 07 MINI before something really bad happens to my CVT.
Its shame we have to worry about 3 years old transmissions.

[ecylai]

I've got my Mini back now hopefully i wont be going back for a little while until the next service.

[red cooper1]

I had the car back to the dealer again ,I was sick of the car occasionaly not reving pass 1500rpm ,this time EP came up on the display .Dealer agrred to put new gear box in if necessary. I demanded a loan car whilst my car was being fixed . After four days I received a call to say they had found the problem .The car has had software upgrades and a complete new computer installed previously to rectify the problem. Guess what the problem was ?. The Battery. 3 years old and giving low voltage puting the computer into a spin.The dealer installed the battery free of charge. After several days the car is running like a dream with no faults so I am keeping my fingers crossed.

[Sejanus]

Quote: Originally Posted by red cooper1

I had the car back to the dealer again ,I was sick of the car occasionaly not reving pass 1500rpm ,this time EP came up on the display .Dealer agrred to put new gear box in if necessary. I demanded a loan car whilst my car was being fixed . After four days I received a call to say they had found the problem .The car has had software upgrades and a complete new computer installed previously to rectify the problem. Guess what the problem was ?. The Battery. 3 years old and giving low voltage puting the computer into a spin.The dealer installed the battery free of charge. After several days the car is running like a dream with no faults so I am keeping my fingers crossed.

MINI batteries are apparently pretty crappy. I had one just die on me when the car was about 2 years old and the service writer at the dealership has mentioned that BMW installs cheap batteries.

[ecylai]

Quote: Originally Posted by red cooper1

I had the car back to the dealer again ,I was sick of the car occasionaly not reving pass 1500rpm ,this time EP came up on the display .Dealer agrred to put new gear box in if necessary. I demanded a loan car whilst my car was being fixed . After four days I received a call to say they had found the problem .The car has had software upgrades and a complete new computer installed previously to rectify the problem. Guess what the problem was ?. The Battery. 3 years old and giving low voltage puting the computer into a spin.The dealer installed the battery free of charge. After several days the car is running like a dream with no faults so I am keeping my fingers crossed.

In some way this does make sense change of battery.
hope it all works out for u after the change of battery.

[cafemoc]

I got "EP" came on today, it seems to be running okay so far.
I am going to take it to dealer to find out what exactly wrong with my CVT.