Tracking CVTs

[velveteen_mini]

Yes, the tranny is still under warranty but we are going on a trip in just over a week and I don't trust my car now. A tranny should be good for more than 20,000km, even a CVT.

I am having the car repaired at MINI Richmond, in British Columbia. It was repaired Monday of last week and Friday of last week and is going in again today as the EP light is on again. (They played with the brake switch and brake pedal the last two times.)

In answer to what is linp mode: I am told that the car's computer won't allow it to rev above 3000rpm, to protect the motor or tranny from catastophic failure. Thank goodness, I haven't expreienced it, yet.

[nonsequitur]

This thread that Sejanus started has been interesting to follow, with a proper approach to the subject.

Continued excellent performance and reliability. We have another of the very early '02 cars, now over 62,000mi. After the bug-infested software at launch was stabilized in 2003 we've really had no problems at all.

For those interested,... we (my son joins me now) continue to drive the car in track days and autocross events. All the car's systems are heavily exercised; Motor, CVT, Brakes, Steering.

The MINI Cooper CVT is still a conversation among the attendees and students because the different gearbox modes have a use in the track day, and provide flexibility for the drive home as well as superior economy in cruise. People line up to ride and comment on the tackometer being "stuck at maximum power".

Our most recent event was two days in rain and reduced grip. The CVT was particularly adept in those conditions, using SD under full but very smoothly-applied acceleration, and Manual for the corners where the clutch-coupled gearbox permits throttle steering the car.

Huge safe fun, at high slip angles!

[ontheroadagain]

Nonsequitur, that's wonderful news - and your son driving with you, too. It seems like it was just yesterday that he was a mere babe.

I know there are not a few who will be glad for the positive, long term reports.

[DreamingTwig]

Quote: Originally Posted by DreamingTwig (original)

Hey there... I'll clear up what's going on...

The MINI's an 04 with alllllllmost 70,000 miles on her.. She was set to go in Friday (July 6) for the inspection/fluid changes.

Duh...
My "Service Engine Soon" light came up.

But wait there's more. MORE lights come on...

No shifty, no shirty...
She goes off into "Limp Mode" meaning that I can't use any other mode that "D". No SD or 1,2,3 etc. As soon as I try an "EP" shows up in that D spot and I can't shift up or down. Only one mode. I drive it on stick mode all the time and driving making me nuts.

What flat tire?...
The low-tire light came on and stayed on.. All the tires read (no preasure leak, no damage) fine and several attempts to reset it have failed.

My MA wasn't in the show Saturday, so I'm going to call him Monday morning and see what the next move is.

Update:

$1,200... Leaky oil pan gasket, 70,000 mile service, some sensor thingie making the CVT bottom out, and a new stick shift mechanism cause the old one was sticking and shorting the thing out. Nothing was up with the Flat Tire Thingie.

Oh yeah... Wiper Blades. Can't forget the wiper blades.

Overall I'm glad I dodged the "whole transmission" thing.

Just glad she's on the road again.

[Sejanus]

Glad to hear it.

[ontheroadagain]

Well, that's a relief - even with needing those new wiper blades - and just in time for the 4th!

Thanks for following up.

[sonomamini]

Hello, all -

I found this forum by googling for cvt problems. My 2002 started making a noise that my longtime BMW independent told me was a very noisy #3 fuel injector. I put in a bottle of injector cleaner at the beginning of the last tank of gas but after 200 miles it was getting noisier. Yesterday I brought it in & he said the injector noise was gone & what I was hearing was a dying torque converter. Ugh. I wonder if early problems with it were causing the low-speed bucking?

I have an '88 M3 track car to go fast in; I need something that can go slooow for commuting. <g>

So I'm exploring my options with the Mini. I can't sell it or trade it in the way it is. The simplest thing is to replace the CVT. The costs I've been seeing here have me thinking of other options (oooh, upgrade opportunity?)
Do any of the techs on the forum know how much work it is to:
- Replace the CVT with a regular automatic?
- Do a stick-shift conversion?
- Drop in an S engine & auto-trans?

Thanks for your time!

SonomaMINI
Sonoma, CA

[AprilWhine]

Hi Sonomamini and welcome!

I'm interested in the answers to those questions too. I can help with the first one, I don't believe there is enough room in the engine compartment for a regular automatic transmission.

[ontheroadagain]

I'd be interested to hear what kind of trade in MINI would give you for your CVT for a new MINI Cooper Auto - especially if they had one on the lot that you'd be happy to have?

[sonomamini]

Quote: Originally Posted by AprilWhine (original)

Hi Sonomamini and welcome!

I'm interested in the answers to those questions too. I can help with the first one, I don't believe there is enough room in the engine compartment for a regular automatic transmission.

Thanks!
MINI of San Francisco just told me there is no "regular" automatic for the non-S, so _that's_ out.
They are selling a rebuilt CVT for $4750 plus refundable core charge. MINI of Concord's retail price is $5173 plus core.

My independent (Bill Arnold) is going to look for a used CVT with a warranty. He's estimating 10hrs of labor if all goes well. I'll probably get this fixed to stock form & buy a manual model.

sonomaMINI

[ontheroadagain]

I hope that warranty on "a used CVT" is iron clad.

Forgive me for showing my ignorance, but if it's "used" then it's already got "miles on it" .... I'd also be interested to know if you can find out what year this used CVT is going to be...

My first MC CVT was an '04, I traded it just before 50k even though I never had a problem. That said, it didn't stop me from buying an '06 CVT because the theory I was working on was that the problems seemed to be pre '04... Honestly, if I could have I would have waited for a non CVT but the timing just wasn't right and I was too nervous to keep the '04 (as people like AprilWhine and others here could atest if they wanted to. )...so MINI made me an offer I couldn't refuse.

Be careful about this "used CVT" - you might end up in the same position you're in now, down the line. Hopefully some others on the board who are very knowledgeable will pipe in with their expertise.

[sonomamini]

Quote: Originally Posted by ontheroadagain (original)

I'd be interested to hear what kind of trade in MINI would give you for your CVT for a new MINI Cooper Auto - especially if they had one on the lot that you'd be happy to have?

That has occurred to me. But as a former BMW service writer and sales-slime, I have very little confidence that it would be a good offer. SOP is to start with the wholesale value and subtract the retail repair price, likely ending up at about $5k for a car worth about $12k in good shape. Combine that with my uncommonly bad car-negotiating skills... I know better than to go to a dealership any more.

[sonomamini]

Quote: Originally Posted by ontheroadagain (original)

I hope that warranty on "a used CVT" is iron clad.

Forgive me for showing my ignorance, but if it's "used" then it's already got "miles on it" .... I'd also be interested to know if you can find out what year this used CVT is going to be...
<snip>
Be careful about this "used CVT" - you might end up in the same position you're in now, down the line. Hopefully some others on the board who are very knowledgeable will pipe in with their expertise.

That's all true. I've dealt with the dismantlers quite a bit. They do know what year a part is, how many miles on it, and they honor their warranties with no quibbling when they have a good history with the installing shop.

My trans is getting scary-noisy, so anything I put in will be better. I'll be up-front when I sell it and get a stick shift.

Sigh. I've been looking on Carmax & Vehix at commuting appliances, but when I look outside, I really want another Mini!

[ontheroadagain]

What have you gotten as a trade in for your current MINI for an '07, or haven't you asked? You might well be surprised. Go to at least two different dealers...

OK, so you're formerly "on the inside" - don't let that stop you. Around my area, if you go back to the dealer who you bought from - they will make you a good offer.

[Sejanus]

Time to check in again. MY MINI just passed 80,000 miles a couple of days ago and the CVT is still running fine. We've had a number of people report problems with their transmissions here and in other threads since I started this one about 10 months ago, but none of them were folks who had posted here before their CVTs developed problems. To the best of my knowledge none of the 18 MINIs that were "registered" here as having experienced no CVT problems have developed any. Is that still true? We've only heard back from a few of you. Nonsequitur, MiniRichmond, Tio Barry, Paul!, Willy, minitoo, Vanwall, JEFF10049, kgouin, ontheroadagain, strz0001, mini_macky, courtinnyc, DOT191, RobFriedman, jazmini, Aurel, are all your cars still running? What's your mileage now?