MINI Cooper Clutch & Transmission Questions

Replying to: bodble2 (Sep 02, 2007 10:48 pm)

bodble2: >
 
Yes, I did buy the park distance control (PDC). I had one of those instances in the past where I backed into a cable that I couldn't see at night. It was below my bumper, so I didn't see it. I ended up having to repaint my bumper which would have more than covered the cost of the park distance control.
 
Since I've had my MINI, I've already saved one Chihuahua (a co-worker's dog)... I didn't even know it was laying behind my car when I went to back up, but the park distance control sensed it. The PDC more than paid for itself in that instance.

Replies to this message:
• bodble2 (Sep 07, 2007 4:14 pm)
  • bfromhold (Sep 07, 2007 8:47 pm)
• karen31 (Feb 01, 2008 2:23 pm)
  • winniep (Feb 01, 2008 4:47 pm)
    • schun77 (Feb 22, 2008 12:27 am)

Replying to: damouse1 (Sep 06, 2007 12:24 pm)

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• winniep (Sep 07, 2007 9:44 pm)
  • stevecebu (Sep 07, 2007 9:54 pm)
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Replying to: bfromhold (Sep 06, 2007 2:46 pm)

I can certainly envision some situations where park distance control would be useful for even a small car like the MINI. I was just yanking your chain a bit. Cheers!

Replies to this message:
• bfromhold (Sep 07, 2007 8:47 pm)

Replying to: bodble2 (Sep 07, 2007 4:14 pm)

No problemo... You're not the only one who's given me any bunk.

Replying to: stevecebu (Sep 06, 2007 9:10 pm)

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• stevecebu (Sep 07, 2007 9:54 pm)
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Replying to: winniep (Sep 07, 2007 9:44 pm)

These were the CVT - continuously variable transmission. I think my next step is to call news channel and then selling my car.
 
It might just be a lemon? I personally will not buy an automatic transmission again. Sure if I want to buy a winter beater car that's a bit different because it will be very cheap to start with. But for an expensive car a manual is generally the way to go although they also can have problems.
I wonder where Mini sourced their tranny from?
GM? Chrysler? The manual is a getrag so they are very good quality.
Try and have a transmission specialist rebuild it for you and maybe get some mods done to it. You'd be amazed at what the aftermarket guys can do if they are good enough. By that I don't mean AAMCO. I'm unfamiliar with CVT internals but the older GM transmissions could be massively improved during a rebuild as long as you didn't grenade it.
Just a thought....
I hope your car situation improves

Replies to this message:
• bodble2 (Sep 08, 2007 3:15 pm)
• winniep (Sep 08, 2007 5:53 pm)
  • stevecebu (Sep 08, 2007 11:10 pm)
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Replying to: stevecebu (Sep 07, 2007 9:54 pm)

"....a manual is generally the way to go although they also can have problems."
 
That's exactly it. Auto, or manual, sometimes it's just the luck of the draw!
 
Personally, I think CVT is not a mature technology. And that's why there are issues with driveability and reliability. The Civic Hybrid CVT has had a bunch of reported cases of failed tranny. Our '05 MINI base drove a lot better after a tranny flush, but now, 2K kms or so later, it's back to its regular herky jerky finicky self. But I've got less than a year left on the lease, so I don't really care, at this point!

Replying to: stevecebu (Sep 07, 2007 9:54 pm)

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• stevecebu (Sep 08, 2007 11:10 pm)
  • bodble2 (Sep 09, 2007 11:17 pm)
    • stevecebu (Sep 10, 2007 1:35 am)
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Replying to: winniep (Sep 08, 2007 5:53 pm)

Thanks for your thought and advice, but I already have had the transmission replaced (the reason it was $7000 and not more was because the mechanic is sending the old broken one back to be refurbished). I am done with the car. I am going to get a Subaru WRX instead after I have done all I can to let people know about how bad the Mini CVTs are.
 
I had a 2002 WRX and it was a good car, but the new 2008 WRX really has been cheapened down from the 2002-2007 models. It's still fast but they didn't actually improve anything on the car, but they did remove the LSD and put on smaller brakes, also now you can't tow with the WRX and before it could tow 2000 lbs.
You might not tow with the car but it surely can't be stronger.
I'm still looking at a Mini Cooper S but I'm also looking at a Mazdaspeed 3 and a Civic Si.
The problem is that the Mini dealer is very very far away about 1.5 hours so if it needs warranty work that's along haul. There aren't that may interesting cars out there any more. But no spare tire in the Mini is a worry as are runflat tires and a long distance to the dealership.

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Replying to: stevecebu (Sep 08, 2007 11:10 pm)

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• stevecebu (Sep 10, 2007 1:35 am)