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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 11 of 55

#93 of 542 Re: 2002 Mini Cooper - Two clutches in less than one year! [ramonaking] by tiff_c

Sep 26, 2007 (10:12 pm)

Replying to: ramonaking (Sep 26, 2007 4:15 pm)
We purchased our 2002 Mini on 10/10/06, w/55,059 miles on it. 9 days later the clutch went out, not covered by extended warranty that we purchased. We towed it back to Mini San Francisco service dept who insisted that we wore out the clutch and it was our problem, wear and tear, etc. – after 9 days! Unbelievable!
 
Yeah lots of unbelievable but true things happen with cars. I've seen and experienced a few myself.
It sounds to me like your situation is the dealer doesn't know how to rebuild the transmission! A clutch can fail after a certain time and certainly some are defective out of the box. Usually a transmission rebuild has a warranty on the rebuild that they must honor and that includes the clutch. I'd get a lawyer and write the BBB, the Atty General's office and any and all consumer affairs offices until I got satisfaction.
But this is one of the main reasons I always buy new and not used, unless I am buying a winter beater for cheap money or something like that.
I don't suppose you have another Mini dealer within driving distance do you? If you do I'd try that. I'd never buy a Mini because they are just too far from my house and I'd have to take a day off from work to go there.
You can also check to see if you have any local BMW/MINI specialists in your area, since you are out of warranty anyway. Once I'm out of warranty I never go to the dealer.
I hope it works out for you.

#94 of 542 Re: 2002 Mini Cooper - Two clutches in less than one year! [tiff_c] by ramonaking

Sep 27, 2007 (3:28 pm)

Replying to: tiff_c (Sep 26, 2007 10:12 pm)
Thanks. I agree. I plan on contacting the BBB, however, trying to avoid racking up legal fees if possible. Last resort will likely be small claims court. Sad that it has to come to this.

#95 of 542 Re: 2002 Mini Cooper - Two clutches in less than one year! [ramonaking] by tiff_c

Sep 27, 2007 (11:10 pm)

Replying to: ramonaking (Sep 27, 2007 3:28 pm)
Thanks. I agree. I plan on contacting the BBB, however, trying to avoid racking up legal fees if possible. Last resort will likely be small claims court. Sad that it has to come to this.
 
I had to threaten a dealer who was in the process of ripping me off and one phone call from him and apparently he quoted the law to them and all of a sudden the Owner of the dealership not the SM, or the GM became very helpful, not friendly but helpful, no court required.
Lawyers for all we bash them do know the laws. Phone call cost me $50. The problem was solved. If you do have to go to court it's expensive and in my State lawyers are not allowed in small claims court.
I hope you get some satisfaction, if you were able to get a jury they will be very sympathetic to you since most have had trouble with car dealers at one time or another.

#96 of 542 Re: new transmission at 58,000 miles??????? [stevecebu] by bluetks

Nov 16, 2007 (6:26 pm)

Replying to: stevecebu (Sep 09, 2007 12:10 am)
Did you have to replace your Mini transmission? Our transmission went today and the quote to repair it is $7,200. We only have $58,000 miles on the car. The Mini dealer won't cover the cost. Any ideas?

#97 of 542 Re: new transmission at 58,000 miles??????? [bluetks] by winniep

Nov 16, 2007 (7:51 pm)

Replying to: bluetks (Nov 16, 2007 6:26 pm)
I had 57000 when we replaced ours. It cost us $7000, and we went with a local mechanic. I am collecting names for a class action lawsuit. Please send me an email at no2numba-tu.com if you are interested. Please be reminded that it might take a while since we needs lots of names for a class action.
 
One immmediate option we have is for everyone to open a case with the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). I opened a case with them on 7/13/2007 and at that time only 1 other issue had been opened regarding the MINI CVT transmission. I feel that if enough consumers open issues with NHTSA the MINI Corp. will be forced to respond to this issue in some way, hopefully a recall since the issue seems to be occuring after the car is out of warrenty. The contact information for NHTSA is as follows and it only takes about 15 minuites to open a case. (You will need your VIN number)
 
NHTSA 1-888-327-4236 or http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/
 
I have also made a complaint to the consumer report people. Search Consumer report on Google to get to their website.
 
I hope that helps!

#98 of 542 Re: new transmission at 58,000 miles??????? [bluetks] by tiff_c

Nov 17, 2007 (12:15 pm)

Replying to: bluetks (Nov 16, 2007 6:26 pm)
Did you have to replace your Mini transmission? Our transmission went today and the quote to repair it is $7,200. We only have $58,000 miles on the car. The Mini dealer won't cover the cost. Any ideas?
 
Steve Cebu is a friend of mine. We used to work together and he's currently working out of the country. He's coming back in a few months but I can assure you he has never owned a Mini. He was talking about his Miata that he bought down in Danvers Mass.
They really tried to screw him on a P&S.
However he's had a lot of dealings with dealers, more than I have but I believe that the dealership has to honor their warranty except where they can prove abuse and that the clutch except for the extended maintainance contract is not covered. The entire transmision is another matter.
Your best bet is to call up a lawyer as $7K sounds more than small claims court and have the lawyer talk with the dealership after all peaceful options have been exhausted.
If there is a class action lawsuit then by all means sign up for it but your best bet is to let a lawyer experienced with such things call the dealer.
Forum advice is a good thing but for something like this, professional legal advice is best.
if I were going to buy a Mini I would opt for the extended maintanance contract but no idea if that would cover the tranny letting go at only 58K miles.

#99 of 542 Re: new transmission at 58,000 miles??????? [tiff_c] by bfromhold

Nov 20, 2007 (7:20 pm)

Replying to: tiff_c (Nov 17, 2007 12:15 pm)
Is your MINI an S? I've heard only the non-super charged MINIs have the CVT automatic transmission.
 
So far I have 18,000 miles on my 2006 MCS and all is well.

#100 of 542 Re: new transmission at 58,000 miles??????? [bfromhold] by tiff_c

Nov 20, 2007 (10:22 pm)

Replying to: bfromhold (Nov 20, 2007 7:20 pm)
Is your MINI an S? I've heard only the non-super charged MINIs have the CVT automatic transmission.
 So far I have 18,000 miles on my 2006 MCS and all is well.
 
It was bluetks that has the transmission problem not me, thankfully.

#101 of 542 2003 Mini cooper automatic transmission won't shift by morina

Dec 30, 2007 (4:25 pm)

Hi I have 2003 Mini cooper 2 dautomatic transmission won't shift
my mini start's but won't shift or move in any geras please help any idea

#102 of 542 Re: 2003 Mini cooper automatic transmission won't shift [morina] by winniep

Dec 30, 2007 (4:49 pm)

Replying to: morina (Dec 30, 2007 4:25 pm)
I had the same experience at 57000 miles. Dealer won't cover cost and quoted me $8K to replace the transmission. I went with my own mechanics because through all the work they have done with my car, I really have no reason to trust that they will do a good job fixing my transmission. It cost me $7K in the end. I am gathering names of people who are interested in a Class Action law suit against MINI USA and / or sharing our stories with a news channel. If you are interested, please write me at no2numba-tu.com. Thanks!
 
Winnie

Messages Page 11 of 55

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