CVT issues resolved? - MINI Cooper Forum

wjlyerly · #1 (**permalink**) Mar 29th, 2007, 03:35 PM

In my research of the CVT option for a new MC convertible, I ran across this review at MF

MotoringFile » Archive » The CVT Revisited - A Full Review

The review and the some of the comments are quite positive. However, some of the comments detail everything from catastrophic failure to lurching and other very un-smooth things.

Are these problems still an issue? Have they been resolved for the most part through software updates?

I'm not looking for a hard core autocross transmission. I just want something zippy (similar to my 03 MC) and convenient for the stop and go traffic in a city that's constantly under road construction. With a short commute, I only drive 8-10K miles per year (31K on my 3.5 year old MC).

So, CVT, well kept secret or nightmarish cover up?

Sejanus · #2 (**permalink**) Mar 29th, 2007, 10:36 PM

I've been driving a CVT since '02 without any significant problems, but to be fair I think it would be accurate to say there is some unease as to their long term durability. As I understand the
07s no longer have CVT, but are automatics.

AprilWhine · #3 (**permalink**) Mar 29th, 2007, 11:22 PM

Sejanus, the convertibles still have CVTs.

Sejanus · #4 (**permalink**) Mar 30th, 2007, 04:37 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by AprilWhine (original)

Sejanus, the convertibles still have CVTs.

I stand corrected.

In that case I'd say some people find the CVT a bit slow off the mark, though there are ways to improve that by using the steptronic and sports mode aspects, but otherwise from a driving point of view I think it would serve you well. I certainly have enjoyed mine. As I said before there is some question about the system's longevity. There have been a seemingly high number of reports of CVT failure at 70K+ and it's about a $7,000 bill to replace the transmission. On the other hand nobody is really sure whether we've just heard about a lot of these failures because people post about them on MINI2 and elsewhere or whether there really is an abornmally high number of such breakdowns.

wjlyerly · #5 (**permalink**) Apr 1st, 2007, 07:41 PM

Thanks for the info. That jives with the impression I've gotten from reading many of the other posts -- there may be a problem at 70+K, but not necessary. With my typical mileage, that's close to 10 years. I doubt I'll keep the car 5 years before a new mini is too good to resist, so its a go for me.

jay

Sejanus · #6 (**permalink**) Apr 2nd, 2007, 12:10 AM

Good for you! They really are fun cars.

85NIXMIN · #7 (**permalink**) Apr 2nd, 2007, 04:18 AM

I have a CVT I love it...
Altho I've only used the manual part only say 3 times and I've had my car since October last year..

As well as that I'm more than happy with the zippyness of it!

I zoom off in front of all the other cars when taking off at traffic lights!