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Hatchbacks MINI Cooper MINI Cooper Clutch & Transmission Questions
269 messages, Last post on Nov 29, 2009 at 3:43 PM
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What kind of a warranty comes with a mini? After reading all these $7k repair bills,who would buy one? Who, builds it VW,or BMW? Sounds like the Brits,or VW, and you people bought them because they're cute. 
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Replying to: joem5 (Feb 06, 2008 10:41 am) 
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I purchased my Mini in July, 2002. It has been my favorite car... until recent potentially expensive repairs that in my opinion should not be happening. -I did experience the fan replacement problem- 58,000 miles. The fan motor would not quit running after turning off the engine. Expensive to replace. -The clutch was warranted at 21,000 miles. -62,000 miles - expensive wiper motor replacement - $855.00. -Transmission started getting hard to shift into reverse around 35,000 miles. I was told this was inherent to this transmission... 5-speed. -60,000 miles the transmission started making a growling bearing noise. It has been getting steadily worse with a bump / hitch at the top of the pedal. During service, the mechanic reported internal damage to the transmission. I continue to drive the car. The transmission shifts fine. Bearing noise drops off in 4th and 5th gear. The service writer said the repair would be $3000 - the figure in other posts. I did ask if that included labor. Has anyone replaced a 5-speed transmission with success and what were the costs? I am getting information to decide if the car is worth repairing or taking a beating and unloading it. I have located used transmissions... worry that they may have the same problem. -Has anyone had any success appealing this type of major repair or other transmission failures to MINI? I intend to try that road but would be interested if anyone has gotten a response from the factory reporting issues that should not be happening to these cars. Love my car. Hate that this is happening. Tom
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Hi Tom, It's almost like going through a miserable divorce. I loved my mini too.... but now i can hardly stand to look at it. My automatic transmission failed at 77k miles. It is a 2003 cooper. I bought it less than a year ago as a certified car from a dealer. BMW in Calabasas, CA was the only semi local dealer that would even look at it. They wanted $8k to replace the tranny and I screamed so eventually they got back to me with an offer of -- I pay 1k and they pick up the $7k. They replaced the transmission with another CVT tranny and would not provide a warranty for it. Not to mention they kept my car for over 3 weeks. I've had to rent a car during the entire time. They may pick up some of the rental costs -- I am still pursuing it. Anyway, I am no longer in love. I still owe $16k. I am afraid to drive it and all I hear from forums and blogs is that these cars are a money pit. I tried to trade it in with a dealer but they would only give me $10k for it. I've decided to join a class action suit since it's my belief that it's truly a lemon. And guess what ..... it's yellow -- good luck. Karen |
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After reading these post I am reconsidering ordering a 2008 clubman s. I would of course get the manual tranny. Does anyone have any good news about reliability? A major consideration I am now thiking about is how far away the dealers are from my house. Does anyone have a recomendation on the dealers inthe boston area/ There is the one in boston and one in RI. The north shore one is not an option.
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Replying to: silverhunter (Feb 20, 2008 6:22 pm) A major consideration I am now thinking about is how far away the dealers are from my house. Does anyone have a reccomendation on the dealers in the boston area/ There is the one in boston and one in RI. The north shore one is not an option. Hi I'm in the opposite direction as you. I'm up North but have to deal with the same dealers. Just wondering why the dealer in Peabody isn't an option? Too far? I called up the one in Boston Herb Chambers but driving on Storrow Drive isn't exactly my favorite thing. I'm also very concerned about the MINI and if there is a problem then I have only 2 dealers to go to as driving to RI in a broken car wouldn't be much of an option. MINI is a very shortsighted company in not hooking up with *ALL* BMW dealers for servicing at least. I've waffled about the MINI for a long time now but if something does go wrong and I do read about problematic MINI's, you are SOL. I'd be interested to know what you finally decide. |
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Replying to: tiff_c (Feb 20, 2008 7:49 pm) You are right on about the bmw dealers. If they were smart they would have done something like toyota did with scion. They would have had a better service network and more sales outlets with a product that is in a different price range from the least expensive bmw. I am pretty sure I am going to end up with a clubman S with the manual transmission. I am a manual transmission guy anyway, but have you ever driven anything with a CVT? In a word they s*%#.
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Replying to: winniep (Feb 01, 2008 4:47 pm) I should have joined this forum earlier because in less than 72 hours I will be driving down to Oregon to potentially become a new owner of a use 2002 MINI with 29K miles on it. I thought it was a great price for such low mileage. However, after reading countless horror stories about tranny and mechanical problems with the MINI, I might reconsider. I am trading in my Audi A4 turbo quatro and was glad to get rid of it because of all the money i have spent on the repairs over the years (I am already used to the costly oil changes and premium gas prices). Will this be a recurring nightmare? Is there anyone out there that has had a good experience with the MINI, who only has had to take it in for routine check-ups and oil changes?? Desperate for advice..... |
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Replying to: silverhunter (Feb 21, 2008 5:04 pm) However, I carfaxed my Types S and it showed I only took it to dealer 2x,but they would warranty it. Well, thats because Honda said they could service it.I didn't want to drive a hundred miles to NH,as there are no Acura dealers in Maine. So, I did alot of research on the Mini ,but BMW here in Maine said that I'd have to go to Boston (Peabody to purchase and for service) I have a BMW that my wife services in Maine, and she loved the idea of a Mini. When she was getting the Beamer serviced the mechanic told her he was putting in an air and gas filter and did she mind? So, to make a long story short she asked the mechanic, or service advisor about a Mini he told her to stay away from the mini as they have a higher repair rate and the cost are unbelievable. Also, the build and mechanics are worse than a VW. Also, forget about winter driving. Well, that's my 2 cents.We got scared and are looking at at different go carts.
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Replying to: silverhunter (Feb 21, 2008 5:04 pm) I am a manual transmission guy anyway, but have you ever driven anything with a CVT? In a word they s*%#. Yeah it's a drive if you are south of Boston to get to Peabody. I've driven a few cars with CVT and IMO the only car I'd get with one is a Prius. The Prius is the opposite of a fun car but it does get great economy. I only own and drive manuals except for rental cars. I have no use for automatics, Flappy paddle shifters, or CVT's or any other name they care to use. Funny how BMW automatics are made by GM! Congrats on the Clubman S. I hope it works out for you. I'm still waffling on the Mini S. |
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