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MINI Cooper Clutch & Transmission Questions

542 messages,  Last post on Mar 03, 2013 at 5:15 PM

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What is this discussion about? MINI Cooper, Transmission, Convertible, Hatchback

    
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Messages Page 20 of 55

#186 of 542 2004 Mini Death Sentence....Mine! by CeeeeCeeee

Jan 29, 2009 (7:03 pm)

I purchased my automatic trans Mini 44,000 miles from a local Mini dealer. It seems like yesterday! My car now has 60K miles on it and I haven't even had to take it in (yet) for its first servicing under my ownership. About two weeks ago, I drove it out of my driveway and made it halfway down the block before the car stopped! The engine sounded great. It just wouldn't go forward or in reverse! I didn't even have time to coast it over to the side of the road. I had it towed to the same dealership from where I purchased it. Diagnosis: needed new transmission. When I purchased the car I was told it would be under warranty for 100,000 miles or 6 years. Now they tried to tell me this meant a "maintenance warranty". Wait a minute! Why would I have purchased a car with 44,000 miles on it without a warranty on the major systems! In fact, the gal who was telling me the transmission wasn't covered was the same gal who sold me the car!!!!! They did cover the transmission replacement....not just a rebuild, but....a total replacement! Car drives like a new car but it did so up until the minute it just died in the middle of the road. I googled "Mini Cooper transmissions" and found out this is a problem with ALL automatics. So, even with a new transmission, my fear is this will happen again and I won't be as fortunate as I was the first time. What if I'm in the fast lane of the freeway and it just dies on me! Bye! Bye! My life! I feel totally unsafe driving this car.

#187 of 542 Re: It cost me $7000 instead of $5K [winniep] by CeeeeCeeee

Jan 29, 2009 (7:51 pm)

Replying to: winniep (Jul 10, 2007 7:21 pm)
Even though my 2004 Mini's automatic transmission was replaced "free" by the dealer, my main concern is that this new transmission will also "die" and it will happen at a place which is totally unsafe....like on the freeway in the middle of traffic moving at 80 mph! When my transmission died, it died INSTANTLY.....no power AT ALL. Fortunately, I was in the middle of my block on a residential street and there was no traffic around me. This car is a fatal accident waiting to happen, given its history of transmission problems. I'm ready to sign up for making an honest entity out of Mini sellers!

#188 of 542 Re: is this problem the transmission? whats going on? [kristylee1] by joem5

Jan 30, 2009 (8:09 am)

Replying to: kristylee1 (Jan 29, 2009 1:17 am)
I think you should of listen to your father.Alot of fun rides out there you can deal on.The Nissan 2dr or a 350 Z maybe an Acura Types S ,if you can find one.
   Take your car and have a diagnostic test done. Dealer will charge $100.00 or so. Some people go to VIP and have it hooked to their computer to find problems. (could be free too) It could be something simple like an oxygen sensor.
             However, the loss of power sound like your tranny. I have a post on
here. My wife has a BMW 530 and was having it serviced and her mechanic said to stay away from the Mini.She wanted a drive around town car and thought it was cute. It is a head turner but every time you turn around you're out a few thousand.
    Hey, good luck.
.

#191 of 542 Clutch 'burned out' in 1 year / 14K miles... is that even possible? by stephx52

Feb 20, 2009 (3:01 pm)

Hey all,
 
My car suddenly died a few days ago, and when I took it to the dealership they told me I had burned my clutch out, and that I needed to replace it for $2250. Now, my car is a year old, still under the 3 year warranty, and only has 14k miles on it. Is it really possible for me to burn out the clutch THAT quickly? I mean, yeah I did burn it out on accident once on a hill, but that was months ago and the clutch wasn't slipping immediately prior to break down. What can I do?

#192 of 542 Re: Clutch 'burned out' in 1 year / 14K miles... is that even possible? [stephx52] by CeeeeCeeee

Feb 20, 2009 (4:36 pm)

Replying to: stephx52 (Feb 20, 2009 3:01 pm)
It seems as though the best kept secret about the Mini is that standard transmission clutches are defective and automatic transmission transmissions are worthless, as well! Either way, it is one very expensive car to own! Plus, the inconvenience of REPEATED breakdowns wherever you happen to be ......out in the boonies or on the freeway going 80 miles an hour! With the clutch and transmission repairs costing $2,200/$7,000 EACH time the problem occurs, the Mini is a Major headache! From what I've read on this forum......these serious problems do reoccur.....for some, annually! I am ready to torch mine!

#193 of 542 Re: Clutch 'burned out' in 1 year / 14K miles... is that even possible? [stephx52] by reminthorn

Feb 20, 2009 (5:22 pm)

Replying to: stephx52 (Feb 20, 2009 3:01 pm)
I guess it's possible that you could burn out a clutch that fast. Our's seemed to be defective from the gitgo and was replaced under warranty at 6,490 miles. There's a Mini Bulletin on this #210107. Our new clutch assembly has started making the same noises after 5,000 miles so my guess is it's a lousy design. This is our 3rd and last Mini! Suggest you contact Mini Customer Service and see if they can help.

#194 of 542 Re: Clutch 'burned out' in 1 year / 14K miles... is that even possible? [stephx52] by joem5

Feb 20, 2009 (7:53 pm)

Replying to: stephx52 (Feb 20, 2009 3:01 pm)
Steph, fix it and sell it.

#195 of 542 2002 Mini coope 5 speed transmssion problem by jrosario03

Feb 22, 2009 (5:49 am)

My transmission is broken and need to replace it. Does anyone know if a 6 speed transmission will fit?

Messages Page 20 of 55

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