[ctysky]

Our 2002 MINI Cooper had 77k miles on it when the transmission broke. The MINI service advisor could not figure out why the transmission broke. There were no fault codes. The only fix was to replace the entire transmission for approximately $8000, which is one of the most expensive transmissions to replace.

Our MINI service advisor has not seen that many MINI's with over 70k miles on them, so it's hard to tell what the longer term reliability of the MINI CVT transmission. From the number of transmissions replaced under warranty, my guess is that the overall long term reliability is probably not too good.

I've previously owned three Japanese cars (Toyota, Honda, Nissan), and all of them have gone over 160k miles without any transmission problems of any kind.

Our MINI has definitely been the most fun to drive, but has also spent the most time in the shop and has been the most expensive to keep running. Unfortunately, I'm seriously considering selling our MINI before the new CVT transmission breaks again...

[Willy]

Uh Oh! My 116,000 CVT Cooper is joining the broken tranny club!

I'm screwed now!

[ontheroadagain]

Nooooooo! I am so so sorry to hear this, Willy.

[AprilWhine]

Quote: Originally Posted by Willy

Uh Oh! My 116,000 CVT Cooper is joining the broken tranny club!

I'm screwed now!

Willy check the for sale forum here, Fuzzy's MCSa is listed.

[Jim Ray]

Willy, check the thread where one of the members replaced his own CVT. Good info there.
Sorry to hear about your car.

Jim

[Willy]

I thought about looking into buying your MINI, but that will probably not work. I need something with a smidgen more room to keep my bike.

[Jim Ray]

What are you going to do with your dead MINI? Inquiring minds want to know.

[Willy]

Well, I still have to see if it is the dreaded $7000 problem. If is is, then I'm screwed! There will be an "accident" involving my MINI, where it hits a ditch and bends the frame and the driver comes away unhurt. I guess sharing that plan on the internet pretty much ruined it...huh?

I'm still awaiting a diagnosis from the dealer, but it has all the symptoms of a crapped out CVT. This MINI is an old friend. Getting rid of it would be like putting a good old dog to sleep. I just cant do it!

I'll keep you all posted!

[Sejanus]

Good luck!

[MINIRANDOLPH]

Just curious. Now that many CVT's are moving into the actual high mileage area ,how many are still running well after 50,000 miles. I read about some MINI's with transmission replacements,but I wonder if this is common or just a few out of thousands. I have just gone off warrenty and now I'm a bit nervous. I have a February 03 build with just over 50,000 miles. So far no major problems other than the occasional windshield replacement.Other high mileage CVT's with no or minor problems would be reassuring.

[ontheroadagain]

The thing one has to remember is that people do tend to write about the bad stuff... It's also been suggested that one person's "quality" or "style" of miles is not another's - as in how are people driving these MINIs whose transmissions fail? Is it the transmission, the specific year of the MINI, the impact of the driver... I understand how you feel reading this thread, though...

Closing in on 50k ('04) and no problems. I think if you scroll back through this thread you'll read some reassuring posts in amongst the scary ones... That said, I am trading mine in before the 50k...but I'm getting an '06 CVT - call me crazy.

[cafemoc]

I am thinking to get 07MINI Estatewagon or Audi A3 to replace my 63,000 ml March 03 CVT. I wish I extended my warrenty for couple of years before warrenty ran out.

I have replaced ECU when my car had 34,000 ml, replaced powersteering pump at 45,000 ml., and replaced windshield once.

[Sejanus]

Quote: Originally Posted by ontheroadagain

The thing one has to remember is that people do tend to write about the bad stuff... It's also been suggested that one person's "quality" or "style" of miles is not another's - as in how are people driving these MINIs whose transmissions fail? Is it the transmission, the specific year of the MINI, the impact of the driver... I understand how you feel reading this thread, though...

Closing in on 50k ('04) and no problems. I think if you scroll back through this thread you'll read some reassuring posts in amongst the scary ones... That said, I am trading mine in before the 50k...but I'm getting an '06 CVT - call me crazy.

The key will to be watch how many of us who posted that our CVTs are fine come back later and report problems. Willy may be the first.

[nonsequitur]

That's exactly what we need to do. It becomes one of the big questions for all of us who drive the early now high-mileage cars. Like Sejanus, I'm interested...

[ontheroadagain]

Unfortunately/fortunately, I'll be handing over my current '04 CVT in June for an '06 - so I will start all over again. (I will admit that I'm trading in because - in part - of what I've read and heard...and that I put quite a few miles on in a relatively short time and I was still able to get a pretty good trade in value.)

I'm interested in finding out if 1. MINI has any stats on this themselves that they'd share or someone is privy to and 2. if the build year has had any impact on these transmission failures.

I know there are some well connected MINI folks - perhaps there's a file somewhere that can be "leaked" - that said, I'd love to hear about all the CVTs still going strong at 100K (I believe there are a few that have been mentioned in this thread).

[strz0001]

When I was considering the purchase of the MC with the broken CVT, I was researching other options besides OEM from Mini. Some information was passed to me from the father of the previous owner who was looking for a solution. He found an individual at Centranz, Inc that was visiting the CVT plant in Belgium to arrange for wholesale suppling of the ZF Ecotronic transmission to distributors such as Jackie's Import/Export in Missouri City, TX.

I called these people in February as part of my fixing research and was told that the plan was to have the process in place in 6 months. That might mean one could purchase a new CVT later this year from a non-BMW supplier in the states.

Junkyards are asking near $3000 for a used CVT (car-parts.com). You can pick one up from Classic for around $3300 - new with 2 year warranty. I'm wondering what an aftermarket supplier would be able to do.

Since the CVT in mine went for 110k and it cost about $3500 in parts to replace, the transmission costs .32/mile. Wow! Double that for a dealer fix. Labor was about 20 hours of hands on and another 20+ of research.

[Willy]

After replacing the fluid, (it had been 50,000 miles since the last fluid change ), and doing a software update, the car seems to be ok now. I'm still nervous about continuing for drive my car. I still feel like there is a $7000 timebomb under the hood.

As much as I would like to stay in a MINI, that is just not feasable. If I get another car, I need more space for my triathlon gear. My triathlon bike does not fit inside, without folding down the front passenger seat and I really dont want a 17lb. $4000 bike on a roof rack, exposed to the elements. Sadly, this may mark the end of my MINI days , until the Traveller comes out.

[Sejanus]

Quote: Originally Posted by Willy

After replacing the fluid, (it had been 50,000 miles since the last fluid change ), and doing a software update, the car seems to be ok now. I'm still nervous about continuing for drive my car. I still feel like there is a $7000 timebomb under the hood.

As much as I would like to stay in a MINI, that is just not feasable. If I get another car, I need more space for my triathlon gear. My triathlon bike does not fit inside, without folding down the front passenger seat and I really dont want a 17lb. $4000 bike on a roof rack, exposed to the elements. Sadly, this may mark the end of my MINI days , until the Traveller comes out.

I understand your nervousness, but still it's good to know that after 100,000+ your CVT didn't just die.

[ontheroadagain]

Absolutely it's good to know it didn't just die at 100k!

Willy, may I ask what you meant by "the last fluid change"

[Willy]

Quote: Originally Posted by ontheroadagain

Absolutely it's good to know it didn't just die at 100k!

Willy, may I ask what you meant by "the last fluid change"

Flushing out and replacing the transmission fluid, which you are supposed to do every 30,000 miles. From talking to the folks at the service department, this is something you MUST do! I may have shortened the life of my tranny even further by getting slack in this regard.