First, apologies for cross postings – I just want to make sure that everyone sees this.

About 2 weeks ago, my 04 MC with CVT failed. No warning, nothing. The solution to my problem is that my entire transmission needs to be replaced, at a cost of $10,000.

As I have been reading, I am finding that this is not a common problem, but not an uncommon one either. I have done thread searches, and read several stories from other owners, but am sure that I missed a few.

I am also talking to MINIUSA, and exploring other options, to get the cost down on repairs. I would like to know, besides the few I read, how many other owners have had similar problems. Hopefully, if I can present a large enough list to MINI, they will cut the cost greatly on my repair and any other owner’s repair in the future.

So, if you have had to have your CVT transmission replaced, please post on this thread, and please let me know what the ultimate outcome was with your CVT (replacement, new MINI, sold the car, costs covered or discounts offered).

Also, if you have any other suggestions, please let me know.

If you would like to read the full story, or updates on previous threads, please follow these links:

http://www.metroplexmini.org/forum/s...ad.php?t=17091

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=83214

http://www.mini2.com/forum/cvt-autom...failure-5.html



Thanx!!! And Happy Motoring!!

 

First, apologies for cross postings – I just want to make sure that everyone sees this.

About 2 weeks ago, my 04 MC with CVT failed. No warning, nothing. The solution to my problem is that my entire transmission needs to be replaced, at a cost of $10,000.

As I have been reading, I am finding that this is not a common problem, but not an uncommon one either. I have done thread searches, and read several stories from other owners, but am sure that I missed a few.

I am also talking to MINIUSA, and exploring other options, to get the cost down on repairs. I would like to know, besides the few I read, how many other owners have had similar problems. Hopefully, if I can present a large enough list to MINI, they will cut the cost greatly on my repair and any other owner’s repair in the future.

So, if you have had to have your CVT transmission replaced, please post on this thread, and please let me know what the ultimate outcome was with your CVT (replacement, new MINI, sold the car, costs covered or discounts offered).

Also, if you have any other suggestions, please let me know.

If you would like to read the full story, or updates on previous threads, please follow these links:

http://www.metroplexmini.org/forum/s...ad.php?t=17091

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=83214

http://www.mini2.com/forum/cvt-autom...failure-5.html



Thanx!!! And Happy Motoring!!

 

I read your story and I really feel for you. My wife's MINI is an 06 CVT so I will be watching your progress and taking notes.

We'll probably go for the extended warranty if we decide to keep her car beyond the standard warranty.

 

I have a used '03 CVT and have put about 29,000 fun but rough miles on it since buying it in April, '04. I had heard about this problem earlier this year, and, since the body and interior have been discontinued on it, decided to just show it from now on...driving it occasionally to keep it in good tune. This was the ONLY reason I bought my '06 MCS as the new daily driver, but now I love the S just as much.

 

I had an 03 CVT that I purchased used, the service engine soon light came on so I called the MINI dealer in Sacramento about 250 mile away, they suggested I bring it in. I wasn't having any problems so I felt save driving it that far. When I got there they came and got me said they wanted to show me something. There was transmission fluid sprayed all over underneath the car, it was completely empty, and I never even Knew it, They said it needed a new transmission and they sent me home in a rental. It was covered under warranty but KC at Niello MINI told me it would have cost about $5,000.00 with out warranty, I was about 700 miles from being out of warranty. Anyway I kept the car for a while longer before getting my new one and as far as I know the car is still running fine. My son called me last week very excited to tell me he had just seen it on the road.

 

Now that you mentioned that, I DO recall that I had a tranny leak right after I bought my CVT. I took it to the dealer twice...the first time, the couldn't find a problem and sent me home, saying that the tranny may have been overfilled. However, it continued to leak, so I returned [the dealer is 70 miles away] and left it for a day. They gave me a nice loaner [a new 3-series BMW] and when I returned, told me that somehow the gasket had been pierced. Upon inspecting the cover, they noticed that it had somehow been dinged...probably at the factory...and sent to the USA, anyway. Perhaps THIS [leaking problem] is why the first owner had gotten rid of the car at only 2200 miles, but now that it has been repaired, it has worked perfectly ever since.

 

My CVT began making noise at 69000 miles. MINI would do nothing to even help with the cost (it's 7000 here, maybe you need to look around for a better price ). I sold the car and bought a new MCS. You need to keep checking around for a better price. Not all MINI dealers are *******s, but a lot are.

 

Thank you.

I will be sure to post updates as they come along. I hope that you never have to deal with a problem like this.

 

I have a Nov 02 build, 2003 MC with CVT. I purchased the extended maintenance with the car and had all warranty work done at the dealership. After the warranty expired I went to a BMW/MINI tuner shop for work (much cheaper than dealer).

My MINI has ~75,000 miles on it. The CVT fluid has been changed twice as specified in the owners manaual (service I and service II).

After service II, the car started making a horribe groaning/whining/grinding noise. This apparently is related to the changing of the CVT fluid. A technical service bullentin has been issued for this problem and the fix is to replace the transmission bearing. This repair can only be done at a dealer. I have yet to talk to a dealer, since the car is out of warranty. It was suggested that I talk to MINIUSA about this, but I wasn't sure how to proceed.

So...what I have done is to PARK the MINI in the garage and purchase a more reliable daily driver (I commute 70 miles a day). I am very unhappy and displeased with the solution because I loved driving the MINI so much.

I am also concerned that I will experience a transmission failure like you have. I think the only reason the response to you query may be limited, is because most CVT MINI owner have not reached the number of miles where this problem begins to present itself.

Thank you so much for posted your problems and your attempts to resolve the tranmission issue here on NAM.

 

Mine's a very early '03, and the problems you are experiencing are exactly why I decided to just show my Cooper [and hopefully save it from a very ignoble end], and bought an MCSa as my new daily driver.

 

I am finding this to be very true, which concerns me because I would hate to see other owners have this problem in the future. But also is a sign that this problem seems to occur around the same number of miles on most CVTs.

And like you, I usually average 50 miles + a day -- between 1500 and 2500 a month, at least.

 

I don't have a CVT on my MCS, but have read a fair amount of posts about CVT failures. I find it very interesting that MINI has dropped the CVT from the 07 MINI's & changed to a normal autobox. Hmmm.

 

Keep us updated on your negotiations with the factory guys. My 2003 CVT is now out of warranty and repairs are out of pocket. Things such as $1000. brake jobs and $275. (dealer quotes) to replace a simple muffler hanger make me worry for the longterm.. I tend to keep my vehicles for a long time but given repair charges such as you quoted it might be time to cut and run. I do love my Mini but my budget can't handle such costly repairs.

 

How many miles in your '04 CVT? Are you out of warranty this soon???


We have a 2002 MC CVT (Bought brand new 9/2002) with 40K miles and not a single problem with the car. It is my wife's daily driver and it has also been our vacation/roadtrip car many times .

We are out of warranty as we speak (It finally expired early september) but we plan to keep the car for another year or so until the '08 R55 MINI Clubman wagon becomes available.

I have been in top of the maintenance of this car. The dealer replaced the CVT tranny fluid (As part of the scheduled maintenance) when the car had 25K miles.

$10K for a transmission replacement, sounds like a blatant dealer rip-off

Need more details please!

 

Pray tell, what is being proposed to be replaced for the $1,000?

 

Yes, $10,000 for a CVT replacement does sound rather like the dealer is taking advantage of the situation. But then again, it is not like there is a robust aftermarket for CVTs. Supply and demand - when you control the supply, you also set the price; the demand has to then decide whether to pay the price or move on.

 

I ran this by Waylen, because I, too, have a CVT, and he said that, while YES, they ARE expensive to fix, it might be more down in the $5k range. Still, that's a helluva price to pay for a tranny....

 

2 dealers quoted me $7000 and $8000 respectively. I think you can find someone to do it cheaper, even if you have to travel a bit, $3000 buys a lot of airfare. There is also someone on this forum who did the swap themselves and said it wasn't that hard, but you do have to buy a tranny lift, and some other special tools. He bought the reman CVT for around $3200 I think.

All in all, it's a lousy thing for MINI/BMW to do, leaving us hanging for big bucks like that, and I hope it hurts them as much as it's hurt us owners.

And most, not all, CVT troubles seem to happen around 60-70,000 miles, I think.

The CVT was made by ZF. Wouldn't hurt tell them your story either.

 

Caminifan

I am not sure what the 1 grand brake job entailed - I would assume that the rotors would be replaced possibly rebuilding the calipers along with new pads etc whether they needed it or not. I never ventured that far as to ask what it included. I am having a local mechanic replace the pads for me - thought of doing it myself but its damn cold here and my garage is not heated.

 

One of my MINI dealers ( who shall remain nameless for their own good ) quoted me $850 for pads and rotors. I did it all myself for $200....

 

Sounds like the best argument for an extended warranty that I can think of. Of course that doesn't address the larger issue of why a CVT manages to fail so frequently at around the 60,000 mile point....

 

Did the dealer offer you some other service (of which I will not name) for that price? As you observed, you were able to do it yourself for $200. Even factoring in premium labor rates, the brake job gets to somewhere around $400....

 

And I will bet that the local mechanic is not going to charge you anywhere near $1,000.... What you save over the local mechanic's cost and the $1,000 could buy you a very nice space heater for your garage - you will be perfectly positioned for the next brake job....

 

Yeah, I think the extra $400 was for the reach-around

 

I posted an update on other threads, but I will repeat it hear too. Sorry for cross postings.

And, C4, to answer your question: I have 70,900 and change miles on my 04 MINI. If I would have made it home, I would have had 71K. I went out of warrenty in less than 18 months. But then again, I also did my break-in in less than 3 days. I knew from the beginning that my MINI would be highmileage, and the dealer assured me that wouldn't be a problem.

To caminifan: It is rather pricey, but as someone else mentioned, supply and demand. MINI is the only company that imports the tranny, and they start at $5200. MINI also quotes a minium of 16.5 hours of labor, and for me, they quoted at least 30 -- at almost $200 an hour. It orginaly broke down to $3500 start for labor and $6800 start for parts.

Anyway, here's the update:

Sorry for the long over due update, but, with the holidays started, I have been hella busy and, to be honest, this issue just got some sort of closure. At least for the time being.

As of right now, my MINI is at home, but not working. Via phone tag with lots of people, MoD and MINIUSA decided that they would bring the price of repairs down to around $4400. That doesn’t include taxes, or if they find anything else wrong with it. While that’s half of the original cost, which is very nice, that still doesn’t help the fact that I don’t have that kinda cash, so unfortunately, repairs will just have to wait till I do.

Don’t even let me get started on how much that sucks!

And, while $4400 is still kind of pricey, it is the best deal that anyone can offer. I called several transmission specialists in the area, and they all said the same thing – replace it. Because MINI uses what is called a ZF CVT Transmission, and since it is relatively new in the auto market, no one repairs it, everyone replaces it (there has only been one person in California that has repaired his; he did it as a hobby, and it took him a month). MINI is the only company that even imports it to the US. The part itself starts around $5200, with a reman starting at $4600. Salvaged, or used ones are hard to find, and if you can find them, the price still starts at $3200, or $5000 for a fully functioning one. And, because these are salvaged parts, there is no telling when or where they will break, if ever again. And once you add in labor, it’s really not that much a great deal after all.

Since I now have a lot of down time, ya know, the whole no car thing, and I was playing phone tag with tons of people, I did do a little research on the whole MINI CVT tranny issue. What I found was pretty surprising.

From reading tons of threads online on many forums, and consumer reports, and various other sources, I have found that there are many CVT owners that have had tranny problems. At least 45 other MINI owners have had tranny problems that are similar to mine (randomly broke with no warning), and about between 100-200 CVT owners that have had other problems in which their CVT had to be replaced. While that number may seem small, please note that these reported incidents are only within the online MINI community. With 350,000 plus MINI sold, I know that not everyone who is a MINI owner is active or participates at all in the MINI community, so it is reasonable to believe that there are more CVT owners that have problems, but that information is not available to me online. My best gestimate is that about 5% of MINI owners have some sort of tranny failure, but that covers every type of tranny failure, and that number could be grossly out of proportion (I’m not a mathematician by any means, so don’t hold this number against me). It is based on the number of reports I read, compared to members of online forums, worldwide MINI owners, and consideration for an overlap. As to people that have had my type of issue, I don’t know, it could be limited to the 45 I found, but I highly doubt it.

Anyway, the first reported case of a CVT randomly self destructing like mine, was last November. It was an ‘05 CVT with 74,000 plus miles on it. Their dealer quoted them about $7000 for repairs, and after all was said and done, MINIUSA and their dealer picked up the parts cost and charged the owner only $2600 for labor.

Since then, the other reports I have found have covered all model years, and happened just out of the 50,000 mile warranty. Most CVT failures were around 65,000 miles and 80,000 miles with a few in the 100,000 plus category. Also, most of these reported were in the past year, June and July being the worst months, and MINIUSA and their MINI dealers seemed to either pick up parts costs, or like me, cover half the price. The difference in price break is, as I understand it, decided by Regional Service Managers, or Head Service Managers of a particular MINI Dealer.

There are a few CVTs that failed within the warranty period, and MINI replaced them for free, but that happened to a VERY few CVTs. And, those that were replaced within the warranty period, had other tranny issues and some warning signs. There are also reports of MINIs with a tranny problem that have had to have 2 tranny replacements. I do no know exactly how much, if any, MINI footed the bill for, if any.

It is rumored (please note the word RUMORED) that because of the CVT failure problems, MINI is replacing the CVT with a standard automatic transmission unit in the new ‘07s. Now, it is true that MINI is no longer using the ZF CVT Transmissions in the ‘07s, and is using a more standard, widely tested, type of auto transmission, but they have not publicly said why. They also will not release any type of numbers or statistics about the subject to the public. However, most media on the subject does seem to point to the CVT failure rate worldwide as the reason to the switch.

Now, if you are in my position, which I hope you aren’t, then what do you do? I have gotten this question a lot in the last few weeks, so here’s what I recommend:
1. Don’t freak out.

2. Call MINIUSA and see what they can do for you.
Don’t take this as being whiney or trying to get something for free. Just call and ask. The worst they could say is no. I have been talking to MINIUSA and MoD about this all month, and there have been no harsh words, no threats made, and no major agitations (except for the fact that this really sux!!). Anything that was said to me that was negative came from outside parties. MINIUSA is really nice, and they will try to help you.

3. Call other mechanics and utilize all other sources. (Even other MINI Dealers)
I called all transmission specialists in the area, and researched a lot. I found cars that used similar types of transmissions (some Hondas, some Audis, newer Nissans, newer Toyota Hybirds, some Mercedes, and late model Volvos) and called shops that specialize in fixing them. They all told me the same thing, to replace it because no one can fix it, but you may get a better rate or a better deal than having MINI fix it. Unfortunately, that’s not the case for me, but even talking to them helped out a lot.

Once you have done this, then make your decision as to weather or not you want to fix your MINI, or you want to fix in and sell it, sell it as is, whatever.

As to why this happened, the answer is pretty simple, they don’t know. As a matter of fact, if they are even to tell why it happens, then it would be when they pull the old tranny out and take it apart. However, most likely, they will not be able to tell exactly what caused it. This also seems to be a common thread among CVT owners.

I can tell you what didn’t cause it:

My high mileage – even MINI says that a tranny shouldn’t fail at 70K. And, expecting more than 70K on an automatic is not “ridiculous.”

The way I drive – while I do go on “spirited” drives, my car is NOT considered “abused” by MINI. This is also a fact that they are aware of.

My accident a year ago – any damage done would have shown up long ago, and most likely would not have been the problem I have now. MINI and several other mechanics agree on this point.

The fact that my MINI has been on a track – again, something MINI is very aware of, and tells me that one time did not do any damage, or “abuse” my car.

That apparently I’m “obliviously stupid” and “don’t know how to drive” – get real. I’ve probably have driven more miles that most people who said this, and no, MINI even says that’s not the issue.

That I don’t take care of my MINI – not true whatsoever. My MINI is/was well taken care of, the fluids have all been changed correctly, on a regular or scheduled basis, and there were no signs that anything was wrong. MINI does all my service, except for the last oil change and break repair, that was done by qualified mechanics that are experienced with MINIs.



Anyway, that’s the update, and I hope that all this information helps those that are in a similar position. Hopefully I’ll be back on the road soon.