Auto Transmission Issue!

I believe that lawsuit is limited to the CVT transmission. I only know of one car that ever made it past 100,000 miles on that CVT transmission.

You have the Aisin 6 speed as the CVT was never used on any S model. I will read through the NAM thread and comment more later. Your research, with regard to cost, is accurate from my own research though. I assume you have symptoms only and no codes, no lights, etc?

My CVT is still going strong at 150k (knock on wood)

I finally read that whole thread. I recently had a transmission issue on my '08 but it was different than that thread. My symptoms occurred while cold and basically went away after things warmed up. In the end I paid the dealer to correct the issue before things got worse.

From your symptoms it sound like you're at the point of needing to replace a handful of parts. :(

Kurt brings up such a valid point here... maintenance is so critical.  

My cousins wife has an '06 S Checkmate with the auto. I drove it, it was actually a fun little car. If I'm ever at a place where I need an automatic, I'd totally consider one as it really didn't feel like that much of a compromise over the manual.

A special tool is required for that Aisin and the fluid is pumped with a special pump, isn't it?

Not sure if the same options work as for a manual tranny, but these are some options for a fluid pump: 

I have a CVT, and noticed some problems happening:

It's an internal battle. On one hand if the tranny goes out (like I have wanted it to before the warranty runs out), then I could keep Zippy for awhile since all the expensive parts will have been replaced.

Second vote for an r53. Buying "new" is never worth it, you lose SO much money on new cars. You'll spend a lot less repairing the car you have now (providing there's nothing major wrong), or buying a gently used r53.

http://www.psmini.org/forum/cvt-to-6-speed-conversation_topic9949.html

Here is link in how to section for cvt to 6 speed conversion

I got the same "lifetime" fluid answer from the dealer. But, everything else I see recommends changing the fluid as Bruce said. When I questioned the dealer further, they ended up agreeing that the fluid should have an earlier change, but the FILTER doesn't need changing until 75k. Apparently, changing the filter is quite an operation requiring a lot more disassembly. But, the fluid change is about a 2-hr. job.

Huh, interesting! I thought I had remembered seeing that the fluid is suppose to be changed at least once....then again they also told me I did not need the 50k check up :/

uploads/859/miniservice.pdf

This is a scan from my Service and Warranty booklet.  When your MINI was new, the countdown went from 15,500 to zero and showed "oil service".  When that was done and reset, it counted down from 15,500 again and showed "inspection".  This would be Inspection #1 at approximately 30,000 miles and would include a CVT fluid change.  The next time it would be an "oil service" and then an "inspection" and so on; the CVT fluid should be changed at every "inspection".

I would strongly encourage you to go to an independent shop that knows what it is doing with regard to the CVT and specify Redline fluid.  It doesn't seem as if Seattle MINI wants to do this or think it needs to be done.

There's lots of threads on North American Motoring on the CVT, including many people who recommend Redline.  Mini2.com also has threads on this.

Good luck with it.  I hope Zippy doesn't become the project car that Elliott and I will be looking for in a few years.

Added: Link to rebuilt MINI CVT's:  http://europeantransmissionscom.x-shops.com/shop/product.php?productid=16382&cat=476&page=1

They also have rebuild kits for a couple of hundred dollars, plus how-to videos.  What could go wrong?!

Bruce




Edited by valvashon - April/23/13 at 7:08am

Update: Terry has been researching my car, and somewhere along the way the fluid was changed during the Inspection 1...we just have no idea where it was done. We have been working with Sasha, who said that the fluid DOES need to be changed, contrary to what another service manager told me two years ago.