[antsmini]

Whats the most miles anyone has put on a CVT and how is the tranny holding? The most I had was 25,000 on my last CVT and the tranny went at 24k.

[Sejanus]

26.000 miles so far and no transmission problems.... yet.

[Vanwall]

40,686. Tranny was just as strong today as when I bought her. Touch wood. ;-)

BCNU,
Rob in Dago

[CooperS4us]

20,100 miles as of today...not a single problem.

[nonsequitur]

Now 17,534 trouble-free miles, after the initial troubles were sorted out in the very early delivery 2002 cars. None of these issues have reappeared for any cars or production dates that I'm aware of, so the engineering questions have been answered. Stone cold reliable.

[antsmini]

Mine was a 2003 when the tranny went and there was a 2004 where the tranny went. So I dont know if its stone cold. The new one I got is okay so far although its done wierd stuff, the tranny has not gone. Then again I only have 2K on it. However I do have a buzzing in the shifter and in the gas pedal upon acceleration...not good.

[nonsequitur]

Quote: Originally Posted by antsmini

Mine was a 2003 when the tranny went ...

Did you find out what actually happened to your failed unit? ZF Group told me that it is far less expensive to swap out the whole unit, than to train and supply parts and documentation for any repairs in the field by their customer (BMW Group). It also gives them unaltered failure examples to test and evaluate at the factory. The VT1F is apparently doing better than the initial failure rate projections.

Quote: Originally Posted by antsmini

However I do have a buzzing in the shifter and in the gas pedal upon acceleration...not good.

What does MINI Service say is causiing the vibration?

[antsmini]

I dont think they sent the tranny anywhere. No idea what the vibrations are from. It happens much worse in the cold. They couldnt figure out what it was on my last car, so I am not even gunna bother with this car. At one point they tried to tell me it was normal. and "driver feedback" but Ive driven other CVTs and they dont have that. This CVT and my last one both have it though. Also if I am in drive and the my foot is on the brake and the wheel is turned it vibrates as well. Like a dull buzz. The vibration in the shifter goes away when i switch to SD, but the gas pedal/steering wheel remains

[nonsequitur]

I don't understand that approach antsmini. If you have a problem, Then it will be resolved under the warranty, Otherwise you get to just be frustrated and suffer???

They definitely didn't keep the transmission.

[antsmini]

I agree, except they tell me its not a problem because they dont know how to fix it. I even had another MINI owner who has a CVT drive mine and he noticed it as well.

[CooperS4us]

Ants, it almost seems to me that you have the worst luck with these cars...MINIs and you simply don't mix well.

Our '02 CVT is smoooth as the finest silk. No gas pedal or shifter vibrations whatsoever under all normal driving conditions. The car really did smooth out even more after it received update 36.


I don't know what to tell you. Can you tell us more about your driving environment and driving habits? Do you drive it real hard?

[nonsequitur]

Let's figure out what this is!

The MINI is designed as components that are bolted, screwed, snapped, strapped, or in some other way fitted together. The Service Manual for dealers is not particularily satisfying because fixing things is typically replacing the module versus disassembly. It is far less expensive than the way it was done previously.

But ... it is a machine. It can definitely be fixed.

What exactly does you car do? CooperS4us asked some good questions. Let's just start there.

[Aurel]

Well, I only have 7000 or so miles on mine and all is well so far with the tranny. It is weird though that both the cars you had are exhibiting the same problem.

Quote:

The MINI is designed as components that are bolted, screwed, snapped, strapped, or in some other way fitted together. The Service Manual for dealers is not particularily satisfying because fixing things is typically replacing the module versus disassembly. It is far less expensive than the way it was done previously.

I would definetelly to the dealer about this. But I understand your dillema ... you must have been there dozens of times between the 2 cars. What dealer is this?

Just for the record, regarding weird buzzez. I ripped the car apart this past weekend to install new speakers all around. I used to have all the weird buzzes in the door panels, back panels and various other clunks. After all this installation ... they all are gone. Not sure what it was, just a careful re-seating of the panels after the speaker install or what ... but all the buzzes are gone.

[valnmike]

Our 03 MINI has just over 13,200 miles on it now. (In fact today is the one year anniversary of the day I took delivery!) The first few months it was not real smooth in heavy traffic and parking lot maneuvering. In traffic it would jerk after stopping – felt like someone rear-ended us. In parking lots, it would yo-yo. All that seems gone now. Just did a 235 mile ride yesterday and not a single thing to complain about.

[antsmini]

Quote: Originally Posted by nonsequitur

Let's figure out what this is!

The MINI is designed as components that are bolted, screwed, snapped, strapped, or in some other way fitted together. The Service Manual for dealers is not particularily satisfying because fixing things is typically replacing the module versus disassembly. It is far less expensive than the way it was done previously.

But ... it is a machine. It can definitely be fixed.

What exactly does you car do? CooperS4us asked some good questions. Let's just start there.

Thanks for the help. I am starting to think its an engine or exhaust problem as I found this thread on NAM with someone with the same exact problem except he has a MCS. Take a look and see what you think it is.....

NAM thread

[CooperS4us]

Just got back yesterday from our roadtrip and had a fantastic time in the Cooper CVT! Logged around 1,600 miles for the entire trip and averaged around 38MPG in the highway. The car for the most part was flawless but coming back to Florida yesterday we suddenly got the "Airbag" light on, so had to drive for 7 hours with no working airbags. Dropped the car this morning at Lauderdale MINI for them to look at. This is the first time ever we have had an airbag issue in the car, but Aamir, my service advisor at Lauderdale, tells me that this is common in the 2002's and could either be a bad cable connection under either front seat (A bad connection triggers the airbag light) or the harness (Inertia sensor) on either one of the front seat belts.

Anyway aside from the Airbag light incident the car was an absolute pleasure. We did lots of motoring in South Carolina's back roads. MINIs are still very rare up in those parts and we received many stares, thumbs ups and were approached by strangers asking about the car whenever we happened to make a brake stop.

Places visited were Hilton Head Island (We stayed there...what a cool place to vacation), Charleston and Savannah in nearby Georgia.

We passed by a MINI dealer in Charleston (MINI of Charleston) but we only saw one MINI (A DS/B Cooper S) during the entire time we were there. I tried to look for the BMW/MINI VPC facility in the Port of Charleston but unfortunately did not have time to pursue it. Maybe next time. In case you didn't know, Charleston, S.C. is the point of entry for all new MINIs sold in the Southeast including Florida. There they are unloaded from the boat and prepped at the VPC center located there then shipped on enclosed truck to dealers for final delivery.

Anyway we had a great time. Right now I am driving a brand new 2004 Cooper CVT loaner (Black with white roof) LOADED with only 50 miles on the clock!. It has Premium Pack, chrome accents, sport pack, Xenon lights, Cordoba beige Leather interior, DVD NAV, Harmon Kardon, sport seats...very cool car.

I really appreciate the great service I am getting from Lauderdale MINI.


Our '02 Cooper CVT current has 21,600 miles on it and it loves the highway! On a side note, the '04 Cooper CVT feels a bit smoother on take off and when coming to a full stop (RPM's don't bounce as much when stopping). MINI has really smooth out these cars in 2 years of production. I would not hesitate in buying a new Cooper CVT today.

[punkeyfunky]

Hmm.... 12 months old and 30K miles. Not a hiccup or fart outta the CVT box. It just works.

I do sometimes wonder of I'm giving it too much grief when I'm at the redline in 4th, wailing the knackers off the engine and not far from three figure speeds.

Then I realise I've got a sh*t eating grin all over my face, my ears are filled with the noise of the K&N induction noise along with the PlayMINI cat-back, and I think....

Perfect.



-Lee aka PunkeyFunky

[antsmini]

Quote: Originally Posted by CooperS4us

Just got back yesterday from our roadtrip and had a fantastic time in the Cooper CVT! Logged around 1,600 miles for the entire trip and averaged around 38MPG in the highway. The car for the most part was flawless but coming back to Florida yesterday we suddenly got the "Airbag" light on, so had to drive for 7 hours with no working airbags. Dropped the car this morning at Lauderdale MINI for them to look at. This is the first time ever we have had an airbag issue in the car, but Aamir, my service advisor at Lauderdale, tells me that this is common in the 2002's and could either be a bad cable connection under either front seat (A bad connection triggers the airbag light) or the harness (Inertia sensor) on either one of the front seat belts.

Anyway aside from the Airbag light incident the car was an absolute pleasure. We did lots of motoring in South Carolina's back roads. MINIs are still very rare up in those parts and we received many stares, thumbs ups and were approached by strangers asking about the car whenever we happened to make a brake stop.

Places visited were Hilton Head Island (We stayed there...what a cool place to vacation), Charleston and Savannah in nearby Georgia.

We passed by a MINI dealer in Charleston (MINI of Charleston) but we only saw one MINI (A DS/B Cooper S) during the entire time we were there. I tried to look for the BMW/MINI VPC facility in the Port of Charleston but unfortunately did not have time to pursue it. Maybe next time. In case you didn't know, Charleston, S.C. is the point of entry for all new MINIs sold in the Southeast including Florida. There they are unloaded from the boat and prepped at the VPC center located there then shipped on enclosed truck to dealers for final delivery.

Anyway we had a great time. Right now I am driving a brand new 2004 Cooper CVT loaner (Black with white roof) LOADED with only 50 miles on the clock!. It has Premium Pack, chrome accents, sport pack, Xenon lights, Cordoba beige Leather interior, DVD NAV, Harmon Kardon, sport seats...very cool car.

I really appreciate the great service I am getting from Lauderdale MINI.


Our '02 Cooper CVT current has 21,600 miles on it and it loves the highway! On a side note, the '04 Cooper CVT feels a bit smoother on take off and when coming to a full stop (RPM's don't bounce as much when stopping). MINI has really smooth out these cars in 2 years of production. I would not hesitate in buying a new Cooper CVT today.

Your airbag light is most likely a seatbelt tensioner. I had that problem as well.

[CooperS4us]

Quote: Originally Posted by antsmini

Your airbag light is most likely a seatbelt tensioner. I had that problem as well.

Yeah, my service advisor said the same thing...defective seat belt tensioner on the driver's side.

[nonsequitur]

Quote: Originally Posted by punkeyfunky

Not a hiccup ... outta the CVT box. It just works.

A very nice summary on the ZF unit, one that many of us share. Because of the protection and heavy management by the EMS2000 computer, there should be no concern with a 6000rpm redline (coupled to the same motor with a 7150rom redline in the 5-speed manual). A very cool system you can use worryfree within the defined limits.