(Big) Mini problems. Any Coopersmiths out there?

"Thomas Donohue" (tomonomics)
05/08/2018 at 14:10 • Filed to: None

Grandma’s Mini went gimpy last week....turns out it’s the CVT, which was the subject of a class action lawsuit a few years ago in 2014. It’s a 2006, but only has 65,000 miles on it. Not shockingly, most Mini transmissions from that era self destruct right around 60k. Dealer wants $7500 for a rebuilt trans, in addition to another $3000 for other work they said it needs. In the same breath, they pointed to the showroom and an eagerly awaiting salesperson. Grandma did not take kindly to either the repair estimate, or ever buying another Mini again. But, she LOVES the car, it’s her second Mini (Grandma, by the way, is like 85 years old. She drove a 5-speed mini up until 2006, and only got the auto because her husband’s knee could no longer handle the third pedal. Yes, Grandma rocks.)

From what I’ve read, when they realized they had a shitty trans, BMW/MINI issued a TSD and requirement to change the trans fluid every 25k miles or sooner. None of this appears to have been done by the dealer (despite 12+ trips there) over the years. Nor did BMW/Mini reach out to any owners that may have been affected when the lawsuit was pending. They did extend warranties for some, and even paid out to people who had third-party repairs, as well as those who sold/traded the cars at a loss. After three days and many calls to BMW/Mini, they got back to her today and said they will give her a credit of ZERO dollars if she gets the repair done at a dealer, and ZERO dollars for anything because clearly she didn’t drive the car enough for it to break in a timely manner.

As you can imagine, this means I shall begin my war games against BMW and the dealer. Unfortunately, a rebuilt CVT is like $4000, so even independent replacement will be pricey. I am dropping it off at a local indy tomorrow for another estimate.

Any Mini owners out there have any luck with legal prodding against BMW/Mini in the past?

DISCUSSION (16)

sony1492 > Thomas Donohue
05/08/2018 at 14:38

I’m no mini expert but $7500 for a rebuilt transmission seems about twice the necessary cost. For that price you could buy another mini or two. Might be a good idea to get a quote from an indie shop about a used tranny.

Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner > Thomas Donohue
05/08/2018 at 14:40

TIL that the R53 Mini has a CVT. I thought they were six-speed autos

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > Thomas Donohue
05/08/2018 at 14:40

The CVT is hands down the worst transmission ever made. I don’t know of a single CVT to last past 85k. You know it’s bad when they have to detune a engine that only makes 115HP and still can’t get it to last. Not much you can do on a legal side of things as BMW has already gone through all the suits and extended the warranty through the end of 2014 (more than doubling the warranty on the transmission). Your only options are to either replace the transmission or replace the car.

Thomas Donohue > sony1492
05/08/2018 at 14:41

I’m still reading up, but $7000+ is a very common number in nearly every Mini thread I’ve seen. Parts from dealer (rebuilt) is close to $5000, and there don’t seem to be too many options below $3500 in the secondary market. And that doesn’t include indy labor.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Thomas Donohue
05/08/2018 at 14:42

I mean, clearly her husband just needs to make coffee and stuff envelopes at the dealership for several months as payment and as penance for making her get the CVT in the first place.

Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner > Thomas Donohue
05/08/2018 at 14:42

I also don’t think the previous owner changed it the fluid. That’s probably why it’s broke

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner
05/08/2018 at 14:42

The R50 Coopers used a shitty CVT. So bad they had to detune the 115hp engine and still couldn’t get it to last. The R53 S got a 6 speed auto.

Levitas > Thomas Donohue
05/08/2018 at 14:43

I used to have a 2003 base Mini with the 5 speed. Got rid of it when the replacement transmission broke too.

This sounds exactly like BMW/MINI, so good luck. MINI still hasn’t really owned up to the crappy power steering pump design on the first gen; I removed mine and drove without it when it died because I couldn’t afford to replace it.

Unfortunately this is where a lot of people just sell the thing as-is, since the CVT replacement is that crazy expensive. As always you could send Steve Lehto a message, but generally the answer is you’re SOL.

Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner > TheTurbochargedSquirrel
05/08/2018 at 14:44

And then BMW realized they can’t build CVTs and has used autos ever since?

Thomas Donohue > Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner
05/08/2018 at 14:45

It’s currently a 2.5 speed auto, depending on how it feels every 90 seconds.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > Thomas Donohue
05/08/2018 at 14:48

Wait, it still kinda works? Interesting. Normally the belt just disintegrates.

Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner > Thomas Donohue
05/08/2018 at 14:51

I don’t know if it’s possible but if you can find a used Cooper S transmission, then you can probably fix it

Thomas Donohue > Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner
05/08/2018 at 14:52

She’s been the only owner. We are researching the 30k service they did to see if it was done...and if not, why not. Also, it would have been nice if the dealer mentioned the TSB and suggested changing it at 40- 45- 50- 55,000, etc.....the car has been to the dealer a multitude of times for airbag recalls (four times) and another design flaw/TSB, as the roof drains clogged and the electronics needed to be replaced in the passenger foot well (three additional visits, infinite amounts of money also not covered under warranty).

I don’t know why she loves this car with all the problems it’s had and the crappy service she got.

Thomas Donohue > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
05/08/2018 at 14:55

Oh, this is good thinking. Thankfully, his wife has not realized this is his fault yet. Everything else is his fault. The poor guy!

sony1492 > Thomas Donohue
05/08/2018 at 14:58

Quick Google search shows rebuilt for $3500, and used for $500.

Indie labor will be cheaper than dealer, and the way it’s looking the dealer isn’t offering anything to explain the extra charge. For example if you buy used the dealer, they most likely won’t warranty any of the work because they didnt supply the transmission.

If you go to an indie shop and pay less for labor and have them order an lkq rebuilt transmission then you have the warranty(from lkq) and pay less.(maybe not lkq but whatever the shop normally orders from) At least I’ve seen a shop replace a rebuilt motor not a month after the first swap because it was ticking, the customer paid nothing out of pocket except for some extra things he didn’t do the first time.

Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner > Thomas Donohue
05/08/2018 at 15:19

It’s got character. They are quirky. Your grandma, Jason Torchinsky, and I have the same taste when car shopping lol