I've been trying to do a lot of research about the problems on the earlier models with the CVT transmission, unfortunately my lack of car knowledge is leaving me some what stuck. In July I got my new to me 2003 automatic R50 cooper hardtop. Around December my check engine light came on and I went into the dealership where they told me that me transmission control module is faulty and that they recommend replacing the transmission. This isn't a huge problem as I got an extended warranty when I got my cooper. (The problem is the warranty company isn't so keen on handing out $8000 right away for the repair.)

After the first visit the dealership told me that they did some kind of code adaptation that should make the transmission run smoother, and because of that the warranty company said to wait to see if the problem comes back. Well the problem did come back, I can constantly feel my car jerking and shaking when idling or speeding up/slowing down.

I have read about people who have just dealt with this problem and did nothing about it, and I have read about people who have gotten re manufactured transmissions put it only to have the same problem come about in a few weeks time. I'm just wondering if I should not worry about it and accept the fact that the early models have this problem and keep this one going for a few years til I can get a brand new one, or if I should go for the new transmission being put in by the dealership, or better yet if there is a way to ensure that the transmission going in is from a newer model so that the same problems will not be present (if that's even possible)?

Any and all help is welcome. Thanks.

 

Besides the computer reprogram, have you had any other work performed? Fluid/Filter replacement? and also there is a class action lawsuit going on with the CVT's so if anyhting, hold out and see what the outcome is.

 

Since I took my car right to the dealership after my check engine light came on I only had the computer reprogram done, then they said that I would be needing the new transmission. I ended up being able to get an extended warranty when I got my cooper used from a mitsubishi dealership so I have a little over 2 years left with that. I can basically afford right now anything that my power train warranty covers so that's why I am a bit hesitant trying other things.

 

Since I went straight to the dealership after having my check engine light come on (and turn off on its own of course) they only ran the codes and checked the problem then did the computer reprogram so nothing else was done. I do have the extended warranty and if they accept the repair then it's only a $100-$200 deductible rather than $8000 for a new transmission. Reading other stories I suppose I'm fairly lucky since I am only experiencing a jerky feeling with the transmission. I think I may talk to MINI and see if there is a way to get a transmission, even if it is remanufactured, from a newer model so that the same problems won't occur.

 

CVT is a CVT. I really don't think it will matter what year it comes from.

Mine has 100,000+ on it so far and it is working fine. I change my transmission fluid regularly and it seems to be working well. Others have failed with much less. There is no way to diagnose how many miles are left in a CVT.

The fact that you have an extended warranty is great. I would suggest you read other CVT posts here and make yourself more familiar with the transmission.

As posted above, there is a class action lawsuit that has been filed, but I have not heard of any recent traction on its progress. Also, I believe it is limited to owners with failures, not owners with early warning signs or owners that have a working CVT but may or may not have suffered alleged economic loss from the negative reputation of the CVT.