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I have a '06 MCS with an automatic transmission. I've got nearly 11,000 miles, but haven't had anything unusual happen yet. What happened to yours that warranted having the transmission replaced? Is your Mini an S?
I've considered buying the extended warranty, but not sure what I should do right now. I figure on keeping the car for about 3 years, but I may be past 50,000 miles by then. I average about 18k a year. From what I understand, the extended warranty & extended maintenance should be bought together. I've heard that you need to show proof that you've had the transmission "serviced" at regular intervals (not sure what they do). That means a lot of extra dough $ to spend.
I wrote about my shot transmission back on May 23rd. I have since had my transmission replaced for $7K at the mechanics (the dealership would have charged me $8K+).
If anyone out there is having trouble with your CVT and would like BMW / MINI to do something about it, I am considering filing a class action. Anyone interested?
Thanks,
SB
Just got back from another Mini Blog and here is a suggestion for all to do:
One immmediate option we have is for everyone to open a case with the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). I opened a case with them on 7/13/2007 and at that time only 1 other issue had been opened regarding the MINI CVT transmission. I feel that if enough consumers open issues with NHTSA the MINI Corp. will be forced to respond to this issue in some way, hopefully a recall since the issue seems to be occuring after the car is out of warrenty. The contact information for NHTSA is as follows and it only takes about 15 minuites to open a case. (You will need your VIN number)
NHTSA 1-888-327-4236 or http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/
Please pass this information on to any other blogs to get the word out. I refuse to pay MINI another 7-8 thousand for a new transmission.
Someone can answer but, no way am I buying a Mini after the horror stories I've been reading on here sounds like my old MBG. The Brits never could build a car. :lemon:
I'm happy to report that I have not had any more mechanical issues since the transmission was replaced. Of course the passenger side front seat is now in a permanently reclined position, but at least it's drivable.
My MINI: Late July '06 MCS, Hyper blue with white top & bonnet stripes, chrome exterior & interior, all Packages, rear fog light, park distance control, AT, English leather interior, cockpit chrono pack, Harmon Kardon stereo, Stage 2 MINI Madness kit.
One thing weird & dumb is that there's no dip stick to check the transmission fluid level. I'm not sure why they'd do something like that! :confuse:
My MINI: Late July '06 MCS, Hyper blue with white top & bonnet stripes, chrome exterior & interior, all Packages, rear fog light, park distance control, AT, English leather interior, cockpit chrono pack, Harmon Kardon stereo, Stage 2 MINI Madness kit.
Yes, I did buy the park distance control (PDC). I had one of those instances in the past where I backed into a cable that I couldn't see at night. It was below my bumper, so I didn't see it. I ended up having to repaint my bumper which would have more than covered the cost of the park distance control.
Since I've had my MINI, I've already saved one Chihuahua (a co-worker's dog)... I didn't even know it was laying behind my car when I went to back up, but the park distance control sensed it. The PDC more than paid for itself in that instance.
Class Action lawsuits are difficult because you need a lot of people with the same problem.
Still I hope you manage to get it resolved. I would think with their powertrain warranty you would be covered if for no other reason than goodwill by the manufacturer, since the warranty was up for only 8k miles. Maybe getting an extended warranty on a Mini is a good idea if they are prone to these sort of problems?
It might just be a lemon? I personally will not buy an automatic transmission again. :lemon: Sure if I want to buy a winter beater car that's a bit different because it will be very cheap to start with. But for an expensive car a manual is generally the way to go although they also can have problems.
I wonder where Mini sourced their tranny from?
GM? Chrysler? The manual is a getrag so they are very good quality.
Try and have a transmission specialist rebuild it for you and maybe get some mods done to it. You'd be amazed at what the aftermarket guys can do if they are good enough. By that I don't mean AAMCO. I'm unfamiliar with CVT internals but the older GM transmissions could be massively improved during a rebuild as long as you didn't grenade it.
Just a thought....
I hope your car situation improves
That's exactly it. Auto, or manual, sometimes it's just the luck of the draw!
Personally, I think CVT is not a mature technology. And that's why there are issues with driveability and reliability. The Civic Hybrid CVT has had a bunch of reported cases of failed tranny. Our '05 MINI base drove a lot better after a tranny flush, but now, 2K kms or so later, it's back to its regular herky jerky finicky self. But I've got less than a year left on the lease, so I don't really care, at this point! :P
I had a 2002 WRX and it was a good car, but the new 2008 WRX really has been cheapened down from the 2002-2007 models. It's still fast but they didn't actually improve anything on the car, but they did remove the LSD and put on smaller brakes, also now you can't tow with the WRX and before it could tow 2000 lbs.
You might not tow with the car but it surely can't be stronger.
I'm still looking at a Mini Cooper S but I'm also looking at a Mazdaspeed 3 and a Civic Si.
The problem is that the Mini dealer is very very far away about 1.5 hours so if it needs warranty work that's along haul. There aren't that may interesting cars out there any more. But no spare tire in the Mini is a worry as are runflat tires and a long distance to the dealership. :sick:
Have you considered the Volvo C30, and VW GTI?
"But no spare tire in the Mini is a worry..."
Our MINI comes with an emergency tire inflation kit. Would that be an acceptable compromise to spare tire?
I looked at the review of the Volvo but just never liked volvos and that one doesn't appeal to me. VW is the last car on earth I'd buy (even with a diesel) because of my experiences with VW dealers!
VW really needs to overhaul it's dealers attitudes and make it so I drive the car more than I fix it. Kinda hard to get the bad taste out of your mouth from VW. For someone who likes VW or has a great dealership near them (we don't) Maybe it's an option. But that's about it. I am going to drive a Honda civic Si but I'm thinking about low torque.
Our MINI comes with an emergency tire inflation kit. Would that be an acceptable compromise to spare tire?
Well I think they also provide you with a Jack in your Cooper S as well don't they?
I'd probably use that kit until the runflats either blew or ran out of tread but then I'd buy a spare tire and put it in the back seat and buy GFT's on all corners. Question is is it worth doing that for a Mini?
I will find out in a few months. My other worry about mini is that I'd probably end up with a a very late 2007 model and that would be a bad deal since Mini doesn't deal at all even on end of year stuff and I'd have to order the car and they can't guarantee me a 2008 model so I'd need a car for 2-3 months. That might push the Speed 3 into first place. hard to say until we can drive them. I'm going to Guam for a few days so maybe I can check out a used Mini as they don't sell new ones there. As well as other models and see what is a possible contender for me. I don't like the fact that BMW is going with RFT's the technology really isn't there yet for them to be as good as regular performance tires. Plus I have to run snow tires on steel rims in the winter anyway.
Good suggestions tho. Thanks
We only bought this car at SF BMW/Mini b/c we purchased a certified pre-owned 2003 BMW (stick shift) several years ago and we couldn't be happier with the service, the car, the overall experience. This is definitely not the same level of care or car. Frustrated and disappointed that Mini apparently does not care about standing behind their product or customer service.
I submitted this complaint to NHTSA today and am preparing a letter for BMW/Mini SF in hopes of resolving this matter fairly. Because this is absolutely not fair and feels like we are being bullied.
Yeah lots of unbelievable but true things happen with cars. I've seen and experienced a few myself.
It sounds to me like your situation is the dealer doesn't know how to rebuild the transmission! A clutch can fail after a certain time and certainly some are defective out of the box. Usually a transmission rebuild has a warranty on the rebuild that they must honor and that includes the clutch. I'd get a lawyer and write the BBB, the Atty General's office and any and all consumer affairs offices until I got satisfaction.
But this is one of the main reasons I always buy new and not used, unless I am buying a winter beater for cheap money or something like that.
I don't suppose you have another Mini dealer within driving distance do you? If you do I'd try that. I'd never buy a Mini because they are just too far from my house and I'd have to take a day off from work to go there.
You can also check to see if you have any local BMW/MINI specialists in your area, since you are out of warranty anyway. Once I'm out of warranty I never go to the dealer.
I hope it works out for you.
I had to threaten a dealer who was in the process of ripping me off and one phone call from him and apparently he quoted the law to them and all of a sudden the Owner of the dealership not the SM, or the GM became very helpful, not friendly but helpful, no court required.
Lawyers for all we bash them do know the laws. Phone call cost me $50. The problem was solved. If you do have to go to court it's expensive and in my State lawyers are not allowed in small claims court.
I hope you get some satisfaction, if you were able to get a jury they will be very sympathetic to you since most have had trouble with car dealers at one time or another.
One immmediate option we have is for everyone to open a case with the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). I opened a case with them on 7/13/2007 and at that time only 1 other issue had been opened regarding the MINI CVT transmission. I feel that if enough consumers open issues with NHTSA the MINI Corp. will be forced to respond to this issue in some way, hopefully a recall since the issue seems to be occuring after the car is out of warrenty. The contact information for NHTSA is as follows and it only takes about 15 minuites to open a case. (You will need your VIN number)
NHTSA 1-888-327-4236 or http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/
I have also made a complaint to the consumer report people. Search Consumer report on Google to get to their website.
I hope that helps!
Steve Cebu is a friend of mine. We used to work together and he's currently working out of the country. He's coming back in a few months but I can assure you he has never owned a Mini. He was talking about his Miata that he bought down in Danvers Mass.
They really tried to screw him on a P&S.
However he's had a lot of dealings with dealers, more than I have but I believe that the dealership has to honor their warranty except where they can prove abuse and that the clutch except for the extended maintainance contract is not covered. The entire transmision is another matter.
Your best bet is to call up a lawyer as $7K sounds more than small claims court and have the lawyer talk with the dealership after all peaceful options have been exhausted.
If there is a class action lawsuit then by all means sign up for it but your best bet is to let a lawyer experienced with such things call the dealer.
Forum advice is a good thing but for something like this, professional legal advice is best.
if I were going to buy a Mini I would opt for the extended maintanance contract but no idea if that would cover the tranny letting go at only 58K miles.
So far I have 18,000 miles on my 2006 MCS and all is well.
So far I have 18,000 miles on my 2006 MCS and all is well.
It was bluetks that has the transmission problem not me, thankfully.
my mini start's but won't shift or move in any geras please help any idea
Winnie
So far I have 19,000 miles on my 2006 MCS and all is well.