[Willy]

I am to the point where I am keeping my MINI forever and seeing how many miles I can put on it. Right now my January 2003 build Cooper CVT is at 112,714. With regular maintenance, it has continued to run like new.

[AprilWhine]

Congrats Willy! I thought I remembered you saying you had passed the 100k mark.

[strz0001]

Willy thats awesome. I want to get as many miles as possible and do my own wrenching. When you say regular maintenance, does that mean a fluid and filter change every 30k on the CVT? I've seen a few recommendations about this.

[ontheroadagain]

Excellent Willy! You and your CVT are an inspiration. Now I feel guilty about trading my Indi Blue in - but I hope to keep my '06 CVT for a very long time....this time, however, I'll go for the extended warranty. Strictly for regular wear and tear.

Go Willy! Does MINI have a 100K club - if not, it should... They need to encourage the long haul.

[Jim Ray]

Quote: Originally Posted by Willy

I am to the point where I am keeping my MINI forever and seeing how many miles I can put on it. Right now my January 2003 build Cooper CVT is at 112,714. With regular maintenance, it has continued to run like new.

Yep, but remember Willy, I have seen the way you drive!

As a former gearhead, I can't help but think that regular use of Sport Mode shortens the life of the CVT. The CVT was designed to run up and down the range of the pulleys, keeping the wear relatively even. Locking it in one virtual "Gear" exacerbates the wear on one section of the pulleys, wearing a grove or slot in the pulleys. Once the metal belt starts to hang in that grove the CVT is on the way to self destruction. Theory, but I would love to get my hands on one of the broken CVTs.
That is not likely to happen, as you must trade in your old one to get the core charge refunded.

Anyone ever seen a broken CVT torn down?

[AprilWhine]

Quote: Originally Posted by ontheroadagain

Excellent Willy! You and your CVT are an inspiration. Now I feel guilty about trading my Indi Blue in - but I hope to keep my '06 CVT for a very long time....this time, however, I'll go for the extended warranty. Strictly for regular wear and tear.

Go Willy! Does MINI have a 100K club - if not, it should... They need to encourage the long haul.

BB, an extended warranty doesn't cover normal wear and tear.

[ontheroadagain]

Don't brakes count as normal wear and tear? I've been reading that thread about extended warranties...and, um, that was suggested. http://www.mini2.com/forum/maintenan...rranty-us.html

I suppose a transmission, tie rod, etc., would count.

[AprilWhine]

Remember, this is an international board. What is covered in other countries may differ from the US. The fuzzy hubby was a claims adjuster for an extended warranty company in a previous life, the info I posted is accurate for the US.

[ontheroadagain]

Ah, OK...well then we had better tell this to TFA on that other thread...I've been searching around trying to figure out what is covered and what isn't...and it is a bit confusing...even when I check on what country the poster is from.

Do you think it is actually possible that some dealerships in the USA include such things as brakes- as others have posted? I guess I'd better ask my own dealer.

[ontheroadagain]

P.S. I think I was getting confused with extended mantenance http://www.mini2.com/forum/general-d...ended+warranty.

[Jim Ray]

Quote: Originally Posted by ontheroadagain

Don't brakes count as normal wear and tear? I've been reading that thread about extended warranties...and, um, that was suggested. http://www.mini2.com/forum/maintenan...rranty-us.html

I suppose a transmission, tie rod, etc., would count.

Lots of dealers in the US do "good will" warranty work. Some people get replacements free, some pay. It is just not a good idea to count on a good will repair when the written warranty states it is not covered. Verbal statements by any person at a dealer are not binding.

BB, from what you post, and your stated driving style, I would feel safe betting that you would get outstanding life from your CVT. You and Willy would be motoring along the same road.

[ontheroadagain]

Oh gee, Jim Ray - maybe Willy and I should meet up and do a Long Haul CVT Run?

I take that as a compliment. It's true, I don't drive it into the ground, but I do enjoy driving my MINI, even on some of those twisties, too.

[Jim Ray]

Quote: Originally Posted by ontheroadagain

P.S. I think I was getting confused with extended mantenance http://www.mini2.com/forum/general-d...ended+warranty.

Sorry for being negative BB. I used to hate it when grown people would burst into tears when discussing what is covered by warranty after their car broke. . If you get an extended warranty, make absolutely sure that it is offered by BMW. Lots of dealers sell home grown plans that are just outright theft.

I get no joy from raining on anyones parade, but if is sounds too good to be true, it often is too good to be true.

Go out to your MINI, and read the fine print in the warranty book that came with the car. I would get mine, but it is cold outside. Read exactly what is and is not covered. If it states that it covers normal wear and tear on transmissions, then you are home free. Extended warrantys do not cover more.

People would argue with me about what was covered, by saying "This policy is so good it covers the cigarette lighter!" Then I had to tell them that yes, it covered the cigarette lighter, but not their fuel injection.

I was so glad when I got fired from that job for not talking to a man who came in with a gun to discuss his TRANSMISSION claim.

[ontheroadagain]

I'm glad you got fired, too - and hope you could collect unemployment, too!

Ugh, that sounds like a very stressful job... Sorry to derail this thread about high mileage... I'll take your advice and read up...and I've sent you a PM, so as not to keep on about all this. Appreciate your taking the time though - right here - to send up a warning flare.

[Sejanus]

Quote: Originally Posted by Jim Ray

Anyone ever seen a broken CVT torn down?

Seems to me there was a thread on here by someone who swapped out an old one himself, posted photos and everything. Not all that long ago.

[Sejanus]

Quote: Originally Posted by Jim Ray

Under normal to severe usage, including towing or motor home use, it was a real abnormality to see a failure at less than 100,000 miles. I have an automatic transmission in my 30,000 lb antique motor coach, with mileage in excess of 110,000 miles, original transmission.

That's what I thought. My family had a Mustang from 1966 to 1985, the automatic transmission developed a leak, but nothing that occasional doses of sealant couldn't handle. I have had my current '66 Mustang since 1985 over 100K just by me and no transmission problems at all.

[strz0001]

I swapped mine out and posted pictures. Not very cheap but the car was so I made out ok. I took the filter cover off and tried to get some shots of the interior - BMW gave me $500 for the core so I left it intact and sent it back. It failed because of the belt at 110K miles. There is a magnet on the bottom of the filter that had what appeared to be belt fragments. The belt was still intact but made a horrible grinding noise when driving . I have a gallery at www.strzok.com/gallery. I'm happy to answer any questions. So far about 1500 miles on the reman CVT and it is doing fine.

[Jim Ray]

Quote: Originally Posted by strz0001

I swapped mine out and posted pictures. Not very cheap but the car was so I made out ok. I took the filter cover off and tried to get some shots of the interior - BMW gave me $500 for the core so I left it intact and sent it back. It failed because of the belt at 110K miles. There is a magnet on the bottom of the filter that had what appeared to be belt fragments. The belt was still intact but made a horrible grinding noise when driving . I have a gallery at www.strzok.com/gallery. I'm happy to answer any questions. So far about 1500 miles on the reman CVT and it is doing fine.

I need to go and steal your photos. Even though I like the MCSa, if I found a MC with CVT problems, I would buy it and do what you did. Thanks again for sharing with us. That is a beautiful MINI, and congratulations on the sweat equity.

[jazmini]

Quote: Originally Posted by nonsequitur

Have people just tired of the current MINI?

Never! I love this tranny! Just 13,000 miles after two and a half years.

[Sejanus]

I was talking to my local MINI service advisor yesterday and he said he knew of a number of MINIs with 100-120,000 miles on them. I asked if any were CVTs and he said yes, mentioning one specifically with well over a 100,000 miles on it and no problems. Just nice to hear in that there are others with longevity besides the couple of members we've heard from on here.