CVT 'Drive' question.

[SaintSamIAm]

Hello all.

Recently bought a 2001 Mini Cooper and love it. However when I start it first thing in the morning and put it into 'Drive' it normally always stalls, if it doesn't stall, then it always feels like it might with a big shudder. Reverse, Park and Neutral are all fine.

I've been doing some research on here and other forums and seen that sometimes an ECU reset does the trick. I'm worried it might be the CVT gearbox, but looking at the car's service history the whole gearbox was replaced by BMW in 2007 at the scary price of £1104.17. Surely BMW wouldn't let a brand new gearbox last only 5 years.

Does anyone know what the actual problem is, maybe from experience? I'm going to take it into the BMW Cooper dealer tomorrow, just to get a quote and idea of what it is but thought i'd get some advice on here.

Also, there is a slight whining noise when I drive, but I'm told this is normal with a CVT gearbox, is that correct?

Thanks for all your help.

Sam

[Sejanus]

That sounds like it might be a software problem and not the CVT itself. They tend to be uneven at low speeds, although it certainly shouldn't be stalling on you. It's usually a pretty easy fix at the dealer. As for the replacement, that price is way below what it usually costs to replace a CVT and there have been reports of them failing in five years (or less).

CVTs don't whine, at least mine never has. MINI power steering however does.