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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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Hi all, I bought my 2003 MINI out after my lease last year, and just financed the remaining payment, roughly around $9K in loans. (Blue book value around 9K) I had planned to pay it down for another year and then use it as a trade in or sell it to CarMax. Unfortunately, my automatic transmission has died on me abruptly, to the estimate of $7500 from a local mechanic to replace. (It's out of warranty) I called MINI customer service, who suggested I tow it out to their dealership so they could take a look. I am hoping for either a goodwill repair, or having them give me a good deal on a trade in for the broken MINI. Anybody have any other options or ideas? I tried taking it to Toyota for a trade in estimate, which is putting $2500 on it. Which still leaves me $6500 in upside down loans. My only saving grace is that I live in the city and could make do without a car for a while. Thoughts? Suggestions?
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| I will never buy another MINI knowing what I now know about the transmission/clutch problems. I have decided to drive my 2004 MINI with its new factory installed transmission....courtesy of the dealership which sold me this car just a few thousand miles ago and tried to tell me the replacement of this transmission wasn't covered....into the ground. I will then give it to the Salvation Army. Have you had to replace a tire yet? Another "Gulp!!!!!" | |
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I am having the 2nd clutch put into my 2005 Mini Cooper S Convertible within 50K miles. The first clutch was put into the vehicle at 18K miles and was covered under warranty. The latest adventure this week resulted in a call from MINI service yesterday telling me it would cost me $2600 minimum to have the clutch replaced. When I explained to the gentleman at Dreyer & Reinbold in Indpls that I had already had 1 clutch replaced under warranty and that I didnt feel I should be responsible for another faulty clutch 32K miles later, he said he would check into it. I just received a call telling me they were going to handle the full clutch repair under warranty again. It sounds like, even though I have been frustrated by what is obviously a known clutch issue with the Mini Coopers from 2005, I am at least fortunate to be working with a dealership who stands behind their products. I enjoy the car very much, but knowing what I know today, not sure I would purchase another one.
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Replying to: mjbaughman (Jun 10, 2009 11:54 am) |
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Replying to: kac035 (Jun 08, 2009 7:51 am) |
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| In the continuing saga of my mini cooper experience, new clutch at 2200 miles,new oil pump 6000 miles, 4th set of tires at 13000 miles. Failed ball joint and knuckle joint on passenger side 14000 miles. Complained of excessive oil use 3 quarts in 1000 miles no smoke or oil on the driveway. Dealer discovered oil leaking from rear engine oil seal removed seal to find crankshaft had over 1/2 inch of play that had effectively destroyed all main bearings. Engine, transmission and clutch plus front end were replaced under warranty within $4000.00 of the value of the car. Why they just did not give me a new one I'll never know. The crankshaft problem meant that only 70% of the clutch contacted the flywheel which caused scorching and excessive wear. Have your dealers check the crankshaft if your clutch is failing early. | |
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But I am SCARED TO DEATH! LOL! The one I want to purchase is a 2003 standard shift (5 speed) with 57K in miles. The car is in Nashville, TN at the CARMAX dealership. Here is my question, since it seems MINIs have to go to a BMW dealership for service, is there a way to track repairs that may have been done to that car by it's VIN number? I want to know what has been done as far a maintenance on that car to date and, hopefully, that would give me some idea as to what I will be facing in maintenance costs. Any ideas would be helpful!
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| and I wish I had known the repair/maintenance history on my MINI before buying it at 44,000 miles. Because the MINI dealership I bought it from told me they would guarantee it until 100,000 miles, I purchased it. Twenty thousand miles later the transmission failed and the dealership tried to tell me it was NOT covered! I stood there and reminded them I argued the point of the car having 44,000 miles on it and was reassured I needn't worry because of the coverage until 100,000 miles. They replaced the transmission at their cost entirely. I think you are right to be concerned. Let us know if you find a way to track the service history on the car you are interested in. | |
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Replying to: wannaminibad (Jun 14, 2009 9:26 am) |
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Replying to: bfromhold (Jun 06, 2009 8:02 pm) |
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