2003 MINI COOPER Power Trainautomatic Transmission Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.

WE PURCHASED A 2003 MINI COOPER JUST WEEKS AGO FROM A PRIVATE PARTY. ALMOST INSTANTLY THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING. LUCKILY SHE WASN'T IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON THE LA FREEWAY. WE WERE TOLD BY THE SERVICE CENTER THAT WE NEEDED A NEW POWER STEERING PUMP. WE PURCHASED THIS AND HAD IT INSTALLED FOR APPROX.$1200.00. HOWEVER THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PUMP FAN STILL WOULD NOT SHUT OFF WHEN THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF, SO THIS ISSUE WAS STILL NOT RESOLVED. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THIS REPAIR MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 60 MPH WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY JERKED AND SLOWED TO A STOP. LUCKILY MY DAUGHTER WAS IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE AND COULD PULL OVER ON TO THE SIDE OF THE BUSY FREEWAY.(STILL NO POWER STEERING WORKING)THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE MINI DEALER. THEY DIAGNOSED THAT THE CVT TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED,...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS, WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD AN INTERNAL DEFECT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,648.

2003 MINI COOPER. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE TRANSMISSION *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HER DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON THE LOS ANGELES FREEWAY WHEN THE TRANSMISSION ABRUPTLY AND SUDDENLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED AND VARIOUS REPAIR SHOPS STATED IT WOULD COST $ 9,3000 TO REPAIR BECAUSE MINI DIDN'T SELL THE CVT TRANSMISSION ANYMORE BECAUSE THEY WERE DEFECTIVE AND PRONE TO FAILURE. THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE DONATED THE VEHICLE. *JB

MY 2003 MINI COOPER HAS HAD TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE (CVT TRANSMISSION) AT ONLY 46,129 MILES. FAILURE WAS TOTAL AND SUDDEN AND VEHICLE IS UNDRIVEABLE WITHOUT NEW TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER QUOTED ME A COST OF $10,055.44 (PARTS $6,943.28, LABOR $2,700 + TAX). THIS COST IS MORE THAT THE VEHICLES' CURRENT VALUE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT ONLY A NEW CVT TRANSMISSION CAN REPLACE THE FAULTY ONE, AND EVEN THEN THAT TRANSMISSION MAY AGAIN FAIL AS THEY ARE SUCH TERRIBLE TRANSMISSIONS. THE CAR WILL NOT TAKE ANY OTHER TRANSMISSION OPTION. THE DEALER BASICALLY LAUGHED AND SAID, "I DON'T SUPPOSE YOU HAVE AN EXTRA $10,000 LAYING AROUND," WHEN HE TOLD ME THE COST OF THE REPAIR. THE DEALER HAS OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE IN LOWERING THE COST, BUT BASICALLY SAID "TOUGH LUCK" AND TAKEN NO RESPONSIBILITY. THE CAR IS USELESS AND UNFIXABLE AT THIS COST. A RECALL SHOULD BE DONE AS CONSUMERS HAVE BEEN...

I OWN A 2003 MINI COOPER WITH A CVT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, TRANSMISSION AND FRONT DIFFERENTIAL FILED AT 58000 MILES LUCKY FOR ME I WAS NOT ON THE INTERSTATE OR BUSY TRAFFIC AS A SERIOUS ACCIDENT COULD HAVE OCCURRED. MINI USA ARE TOTALLY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND STOPPED PUTTING THIS DEFECTIVE PART IN NEWER MODEL VEHICLES. THEY WILL ALSO NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT AND ARE UNWILLING TO RECTIFY IT. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME ISSUE CONCERNING THIS TRANSMISSION BUT FOR WHATEVER REASON THERE IS STILL NO SAFETY RECALL. I HOPE IT IS NOT GOING TO TAKE SOMEONE TO BE KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED BEFORE ANYTHING IS DONE. ALSO THE BUSHINGS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE A FRAME ARE BAD WCH IN MY OPINION IS A SERIOUS FAULT AND COULD BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. COST OF REPLACEMENT IS 7,000+ THESE CARS ARE ROLLING DEATH TRAPS IN MY OPINION AND...

MY 2003 MINI COOPER HAS ALMOST CAUGHT ON FIRE SEVERAL TIMES, REPLACED TRANSMISSION, ELECTRICAL HARNESS, POWER STEERING PUMP, A/C HOSES AND A/C SERVICE, WHEEL BEARINGS, INJECTION PLUGS ETC....... I STILL CANNOT FIND THE REAL PROBLEM WHY IS CAUSING A SHORT, IT HAS ALMOST CAUGHT ON FIRE SEVERAL TIMES, THIS CAR HAS BEEN THE MOST DANGEROUS CAR I HAVE EVER OWN, I HAVE NEVER SPEND SO MUCH MONEY ON TRYING TO FIX ANY VEHICLE, RIGHT NOW I'M ABOUT $11,500 IN COSTS OF REPAIRS, THIS IS A CRIME TO THE CONSUMER, I HAVE BEEN READING ABOUT A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT THAT IS IN PROGRESS, I HOPE AND PRAY THAT WE GET JUSTICE FROM THE MAKER OF MINI. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND POWER STEERING FAILURE ON 2003 MINI COOPER (AUTOMATIC) AT 43,000 MILES. ORIGINAL OWNER, NO PSP PROBLEMS UNTIL A MONTH AGO WHEN SUDDENLY LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING. ONCE RESTARTED THE PROBLEM STOPPED. JUST TRIED TO SELL THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER WHO THEN OPTED OUT OF THE SALE AFTER INSPECTION AS THEY SAID IT NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION ($7,000+). BOTH OF THESE ISSUES SEEM COMMON WHEN I SEARCHED ON THE NET; BOTH SHOULD BE RECALL ISSUES. *TR

THE CVT TRANSMISSION ON MY 2003 MINI COOPER HAS FAILED RENDERING THE CAR NOT DRIVABLE. THE TRANSMISSION HAS ALWAYS BEEN QUIRKY, BUT I WAS ASSURED BY THE DEALER THAT IT WAS WORKING PROPERLY. THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS DRASTICALLY AND MAKES A VERY AUDIBLE WHIRRING SOUND. THE ONLY OPTION FOR REPAIR IS A COMPLETE NEW PART INSTALL AT THE DEALER COST OF $8,800. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF IDENTICAL STORIES ABOUT THE CVTS ON MINI COOPERS AS WELL AS THE POWER STEERING PUMP. IT SEEMS FROM RESEARCH THAT THIS PART COMMONLY FAILS AND REPLACING WITH A DEFECTIVE PART AT A COST NEAR NINE THOUSAND DOLLARS IS ABSURD AND DISGUSTING. IT IS COST PROHIBITIVE TO KEEP MY CAR OPERATING AND I FEEL AS THOUGH I HAVE, AS WELL AS THOUSANDS OF OTHER MINI OWNERS HAVE BEEN SOLD A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT WORTHY OF RECALL. *TR

MI MINI COOPER 2003 GOT TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS ,NEED A PART THAT THEY CALL ,ACTUATOR MOTOR,,IS NO WAY TO FIND THAT PIECE ,NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION FOR 8000 $ DOLLARS. MANY MINI COOPERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM NOBODY CAN DO A RECALL TO BMW. *TR

2003 MINI COOPER WITH FAILING CVT TRANSMISSION. THIS TRANSMISSION WAS DISCONTINUED BY MINI AND SUBSEQUENTLY IS FAILING AT LESS THAN 100K MILES. THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE IS ABRUPT AND CAN POSSIBLY LEAVE THE PASSENGER/S STRANDED IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC. CONSULTED WITH MINI OF GREENVILLE , SC THIS WEEK AND THEY STATED THAT THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FAILING TRANSMISSIONS AND COST TO REPLACE IS APPROXIMATELY $8000. WHEN ASKED IF THEY WOULD ACCEPT THE VEHICLE FOR A TRADE THEY STATED THEY WOULD ONLY GIVE $1000 FOR THE VEHICLE ON A TRADE. I HAVE READ MULTIPLE POSTS FROM IRATE OWNERS WHO ARE HAVING TO DEAL WITH THE PREMATURE FAILED TRANSMISSIONS. WITH THE INCREASED FOCUS ON VEHICLE SAFETY MINI SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THESE PREMATURE FAILURES. *TR

MY 2003 MINI COOPER'S CVT TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING ABOUT 1 YEAR AGO. THE MINI HAS 75K MILES (ALL HIGHWAY MILES). TOWED THE CAR TO THE MINI DEALERSHIP. HAD THE MODULAR UNIT REPLACED; HOWEVER THAT WASN'T THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE CVT TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE COST TO REPLACE IT IS TOO MUCH. IT COST THE TRUE VALUE OF THE CAR...OVER $8,000 TO REPLACE IT. BMW/MINI COOPER WILL NOT TAKE ANY PART OF RESPONSIBILITY TO THEIR MECHANICAL PROBLEMS ON THESE TYPES OF CARS. DUE TO THE HIGH COST OF REPAIRS THE BROKEN DOWN MINI IS BEING STORED IN A GARAGE BASICALLY ROTTING AWAY. *TR

SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED FAILURE OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ON 2003 MINI COOPER. *TR

2003 MINI COOPER TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. CAR JUST STOPPED WHILE GOING 60 MPH. MANUFACTURER/DEALER WOULD NOT COVER REPAIRS (85,000 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY). ESTIMATE TO REPLACE: $9,000. SOLD CAR AS IS AT AUCTION. *TR

TRANSMISSION CVT FAILURE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION WHICH REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. THE TRANSMISSION CAN ONLY BE REPLACED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT THERE ARE NO AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIPS IN THE STATE. THE MECHANIC ESTIMATED THE REPLACEMENT COST OF THE TRANSMISSION BETWEEN $8,000-$9,000. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 76,500. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 01/12/10 *BF UDDATED 01/14/10.*JB

TRANSMISSION FAILED ON 2003 MINI COOPER WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WILL SHIFT INTO THE DRIVE GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY, AND A TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT HE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE CVT TRANSMISSION, AT AN EXPENSE OF $ 8,300.00. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 88,000. UPDATED 10/21/09. *LJ THE REPAIR SHOP DISCOVERED THE CVT DRIVE BELT HAD SHREDDED WHICH SENT METAL THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION. THERE WERE NO PARTS AVAILABLE, THE ONLY OPTION WAS FULL TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. UPDATED 10/20/09

MY CAR WILL SUDDENLY ONLY GO ABOUT 5 MPH. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE MECHANIC AND HE THINKS HE HAS IT FIXED AND THEN IT HAPPENS AGAIN. NOW THEY ARE SAYING IT NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION FOR $8,400. THEY CAN'T REBUILD ONE, THEY CAN'T BUY A REBUILT ONE. THE CAR HAS LOW MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION SHOULDN'T BE GOING OUT. I BELIEVE MINI COOPERS HAVE A FLAWED TRANSMISSION AND THE COMPANY CONTINUES TO PUT MORE FLAWED TRANSMISSIONS INTO CARS AND WE THE CUSTOMERS ARE GETTING '!@#$%. *TR

OUR MINI COOPER REPEATEDLY STALLED WHILE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC RESULTING IN SEVERAL NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCES. NO FAULT CODE OR CHECK-ENGINE LIGHT EVER APPEARED. UPON TAKING THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP, WHILE UNDER WARRANTY, THE PROBLEM AND OUR CONCERNS WERE DISMISSED WITHOUT REMEDY. FINALLY, AFTER BEING IN THE MOUNTAINS ON WINDY ROADS A CLICKING NOISE BEGAN. SINCE NO FAULT OR CHECK-ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED, WE ASSUMED THE CAUSE OF THE NOISE TO BE FROM SOMETHING MINOR AND OPTED TO DRIVE THE CAR TO THE NEAREST MECHANIC, A FIVE MILE DRIVE. SHORTLY BEFORE ARRIVING TO THE MECHANIC, THE MINI UNEXPECTEDLY BECAME QUITE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. LUCKILY WE WERE ABLE TO GET OFF THE FREEWAY, UPON WHICH THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING ' REQUIRING THE CAR TO BE PUSHED TO THE MECHANIC. AGAIN, NO CHECK-ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AS A WARNING AND NO FAULT CODES WERE STORED. BMW'S MINI COOPER CVT TRANSMISSION POSES A...

I HAVE A 2003 MINI COOPER WITH AUTOMATIC CVT TRANSMISSION AND HAVE HAD RECURRING PROBLEMS WITH THE CVT SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. BELOW IS A SUMMARY OF SERVICE VISITS, REPLACEMENT OF THE CVT IN 2007, AND THE CURRENT STATUS OF THE CVT AS INOPERABLE. I HAVE ALL INVOICES DETAILING WORK DONE. 10/9/02 - I PURCHASED A NEW 2003 MINI COOPER WITH AUTOMATIC CVT TRANSMISSION FROM BARON BMW IN MERRIAM, KS. 12/02 - MINI USA SENT ME LETTER RE: CHASSIS #TE13495 THAT SOME AUTOMATIC CVT TRANSMISSIONS HAD BEEN FILLED WITH THE INCORRECT TRANSMISSION OIL AND TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE IT FLUSHED AND REPLACED ASAP. 12/27/02 - BARON FLUSHED AND REPLACED FLUID. I ALSO COMPLAINED THAT THE CAR HAD DIED TWO TIMES AND RAN ROUGH. MILEAGE 1,760. 7/2/03-I TOOK MINI IN COMPLAINING "WHEN GOING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE CAR HAS A HARD LURCH" AND BARON'S INVOICE STATES "TEST DROVE...

TRANSMISSION FAILED WITH NO WARNING OR SYMPTOMS. *TR

CVT TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ON MY 2003 MINI COOPER BLEW OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. THE CAR HAD JUST ABOUT 37,000 MILES ON IT AND WAS REGULARLY MAINTAINED AT THE DEALERS SHOP. *TR

2003 MINI COOPER TRANSMISSION FAILURE. REPLACEMENT COST APPROX 7500.00 THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT AND THERE IS A MULTITUDE OF PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS. I BOUGHT MINE USED. NO DISCLOSURE OF IT DURING THE SALE. IT SHOULD BE AT LEAST BE FLAGGED FOR THE CONSUMERS PROTECTION. DEALERS, MANUFACTURES WILL NOT EVEN DISCUSS IT. IT IS A HORRIBLE SITUATION TO BE IN. *TR

MY 2003 MINI COOPER HAS TRANSMISSION FAILURE IT FELL TO PIECES AT 61,000 MILES AFTER IMPECCABLE ENGINE MAINTENANCE FOR NO APPARENT REASON THEN I FOUND ONLINE THAT MANY MINI OWNERS HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS AT THE SAME TIME APPROXIMATELY 4 YRS AFTER BUYING THE MINI SCAM THAT THEY SELL THIS FAULTY CAR JUST GLAD IT DIDN'T CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 MINI COOPER. THE TRANSMISSION (CVT TRANSMISSION) FIRST FAILED AT AROUND 40,000 MILES AND THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO REPLACE IT UNDER THE WARRANTY. SINCE THEN EVERY FEW MONTHS THE TRANSMISSION WILL FAIL AND SO FAR IT'S BEEN THE 4TH TIME THAT THE DEALER TRIED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND STILL FAILS. IT SEEMS LIKE THE PROBLEM CANNOT BE FIXED ONCE AND FOR ALL, NOW MY CAR HAS 81,000 MILES ON IT AND I FEEL BAD TO SELL THE CAR KNOWING I AM JUST PASSING THE PROBLEM ON TO SOMEONE ELSE. I CAN HAVE IT FIXED AT NO CHARGE AS I AM COVERED BY WARRANTY HOWEVER IF I SELL IT, THE NEXT BUYER WILL NOT BE PROTECTED AND WILL FACE ENDLESS FIX AND MONEY TO WASTE, NOT TO MENTION THAT IT'S $8000 EACH TIME TO REPLACE A TRANSMISSION. *TR

MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (CVT) BROKE WHILE PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP SIGN. CAR WAS WELL MAINTAINED, DEALER SERVICE ONLY. MILEAGE WAS ONLY 54K. *TR

I OWN A 2003 MINI COOPER WITH A CVT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE CAR HAS 80000 MILES ON IT AND THE CVT FAILED COMPLETELY. THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE BUT TO GET A NEW REPLACEMENT WITH AN "UPDATED" 2005 MODEL WHICH I HAVE BEEN QUOTED FROM 2 PLACES $8000 FOR PARTS AND LABOR. THIS IS MY COMPLAINT. IF THEY KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE CVT WHY HAVE THEY NOT CONTACTED ME? PLEASE CONTACT IF YOU NEED FURTHER DETAILS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED THREE TIMES. IN ADDITION, THE BRACKETS THAT SUPPORT THE MUFFLER HAVE ROTTED. UNDERNEATH THE HOOD, THE BRACKETS THAT SUPPORT THE HORN HAVE ALSO ROTTED. THE CONTACT WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AGAIN FOR ANOTHER REPAIR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 68,600.

THE CVT FAILED IN MY 2003 MINI COOPER AT 67,000 MILES. THE REPAIR COST OFFERED BY DEALER STARTED AT 7400 THEN WHEN TOLD I HAD READ ABOUT NUMEROUS OTHERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM THE COST BECAME 5900. ALSO FOUND OUT THE COMPANY STOPPED USING THIS TRANSMISSION IN 07 MODELS DUE TO PROBLEMS. NEED RE-CALL AND OR REIMBURSEMENTS. *TR

FAILED CVT TRANSMISSION IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. CAR HAD TO BE PUSHED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AS ENTIRE SYSTEM WAS LOCKED AND ENGINE DIED; COULD NOT MANUALLY MOVE SHIFT OUT OF DRIVE. MILEAGE WAS AROUND 12,000 ABOVE WARRANTY. DEALERSHIP QUOTED $7200 TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION - NO COVERAGE UNDER WARRANTY. I COULD NOT AFFORD THE REPAIR, SO TURNED THE CAR BACK TO MANUFACTURER AS A VOLUNTARY REPO. THIS WAS DEVASTATING. CAR WAS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION OTHERWISE. *TR

CVT TRANSMISSION ON 2003 MINI COPPER FAILED AT 87,000 MILES. THE COST TO REPLACE IS QUOTED BY THE DEALER AT $7400. COME TO FIND OUT THAT THIS IS A RECURRING ISSUE WITH THIS TRANSMISSION TO THE POINT THAT IT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A RECALL ISSUE. *TR

2003 MINI COOPER, 66,000 MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS REPLACED. THE COST IS GOING TO BE 8,500.00. *TR

BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2003 BRAND NEW AND HAD COMPLAINED TO THE SERVICE DEPT WHEN IN FOR REPAIRS THAT THE TRANSMISSION FELT ODD. IT WOULD JERK AT LOW SPEEDS, BETWEEN 5 AND 10. THEY SAID THIS WAS NORMAL FOR THE CVT AND IT SHOULD GO AWAY ONCE THE TRANSMISSION WAS ACCUSTOMED TO THE WAY I DRIVE. IN 2006 MY HUSBAND WAS GIVING BLOOD IN MANCHESTER, NH AND WHILE HE WAS DOING THAT I WENT TO THE MALL FOR A FEW HOURS. AS I WAS RETURNING TO PICK HIM UP I CAME TO A YELLOW LIGHT THAT I COULD NOT MAKE IT THROUGH. I STOPPED THE CAR, LIKE NORMAL NOT A HARD STOP, AND HEARD A CLANK NOISE ALMOST AS IF I HAD HIT SOMETHING IN THE ROAD. THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND I PRESSED ON THE ACCELERATOR TO GO AND NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN EXCEPT MY RPMS WOULD GO UP. I...

ON 9/2/08 I BROUGHT MY 2003 MINI COOPER TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE. I WAS HEARING A NOISE FROM THE FRONT THAT CLOCKED AT LOW SPEED. I THOUGHT IT WAS A BAD CV JOINT AND ASKED THE SERVICE WRITER TO VERIFY AND GIVE ME A ESTIMATE. WHEN THEY WERE DONE IT WAS DETERMINED THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION AND IT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE ESTIMATE WAS $7613.00 PLUS TAX. I DROVE HOME AND SPENT SOME TIME RESEARCHING THE CVT TRANSMISSION IN THE MINI COOPERS AND FOUND WHAT APPEARS TO BE A HIGH FAILURE RATE. A LOOK AT SEVERAL FORUMS FOR MINI'S SHOWS POSTINGS OF PROBLEMS SIMILAR TO MINE IN COOPER MODELS WITH MILEAGES FROM 34,000 TO 113,000 ALL WITH CVT TRANSMISSIONS. THE REPLACEMENT COSTS WERE SIMILAR TOO. THERE WERE MANY COMMENTS FROM FORUM USERS TO AVOID BUYING A USED MINI COOPER WITH A CVT, "AVOID IT...

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (CVT) FAILED. IT WILL COST $8000 (MINI/BMW DEALER QUOTE) TO REPLACE. I NOTICED THERE WERE MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET MANY RECOMMENDED TO FILE A COMPLAINT ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE. *TR

I OWN A 2003 MINI COOPER WITH 67K MILES ( OUT OF WARRANTY). TWO WEEKS AGO WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL TO MY HOME, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. I COULD BARELY MAKE IT UP THE HILL AND HAD TO CHANGE TO THE SLOW LANE AND PULL OFF THE ROAD. AFTER DOING MUCH SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET, I FOUND THAT MANY WERE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A MAJOR DRIVE CHAIN COMPONENT THAT SHOULDN'T GO OUT AT 67K. THE CVT TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO BE FLAWED AND ACKNOWLEDGED BY THE MANUFACTURER AS THEY DO NOT PUT THESE TRANSMISSIONS INTO THE NEWER MODELS. ALSO IT SEEMS, EVEN OUT OF WARRANTY MINI'S GET TRANSMISSIONS REPLACED; WITH THE OWNER ONLY HAVING TO PAY FOR LABOR IF THE OWNER CAUSES A "STINK" OR ALLUDES TO MAKING PROBLEMS FOR MINI. IF THE MANUFACTURER REALLY BELIEVED THE CVT TRANSMISSION WERE NOT FAULTY, I BELIEVE THEY...

PURCHASED 2002 MINI COOPER IN 3/03 AT MINI STERLING IN VA. MOVED TO PA, SERVICING CAR UNDER WARRANTY AT THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP, OTTO'S MINI IN WEST CHESTER (50 MI AWAY). MINOR ISSUES CORRECTED UNDER WARRANTY, WHICH EXPIRED IN LATE 2005. IN JULY 2007, AT 78,000 MILES, WHILE DRIVING ON LOCAL EXPRESSWAY CAR SUDDENLY LOST ABILITY TO DRIVE IN GEAR AND I PULLED OVER (LUCKILY SAFE - TRAFFIC WAS MOVING AT 60-70 MPH). ENGINE RAN BUT CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. ALL SIGNS POINTED TO MAJOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. CAR TOWED TO TRANSMISSION SHOP IN YORK (NEAREST RECOMMENDED SHOP) WHO CONFIRMED TRANSMISSION ISSUE. CALLED MINI OF TOWSON (NEAREST DEALER) FOR QUOTE ON REPLACING TRANSMISSION - IT WAS $7800! CAR WAS ONLY WORTH $12,000-$13,000 AT THAT TIME - REPAIR WAS OVER 50% OF CAR VALUE. LOCAL SHOP TRIED FIX IT WITH REBUILT TRANSMISSION. TURNED INTO 7 MONTH NIGHTMARE AS MULTIPLE REBUILT TRANSMISSIONS...

PURCHASED 2003 MINI COOPER IN 3/03 AT MINI STERLING IN VA. MOVED TO PA, SERVICING CAR UNDER WARRANTY AT THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP, OTTO'S MINI IN WEST CHESTER (50 MI AWAY). MINOR ISSUES CORRECTED UNDER WARRANTY, WHICH EXPIRED IN LATE 2005. IN JULY 2007, AT 78,000 MILES, WHILE DRIVING ON LOCAL EXPRESSWAY CAR SUDDENLY LOST ABILITY TO DRIVE IN GEAR AND I PULLED OVER (LUCKILY SAFE - TRAFFIC WAS MOVING AT 60-70 MPH). ENGINE RAN BUT CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. ALL SIGNS POINTED TO MAJOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. CAR TOWED TO TRANSMISSION SHOP IN YORK (NEAREST RECOMMENDED SHOP) WHO CONFIRMED TRANSMISSION ISSUE. CALLED MINI OF TOWSON (NEAREST DEALER) FOR QUOTE ON REPLACING TRANSMISSION - IT WAS $7800! CAR WAS ONLY WORTH $12,000-$13,000 AT THAT TIME - REPAIR WAS OVER 50% OF CAR VALUE. LOCAL SHOP TRIED FIX IT WITH REBUILT TRANSMISSION. TURNED INTO 7 MONTH NIGHTMARE AS MULTIPLE REBUILT TRANSMISSIONS...

2003 MINI COOPER, TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. DEALERS STATES IT WOULD COST SEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS TO REPLACE AND FIX. WITH THE CAR ONLY WORTH DOUBLE THAN THAT IT IS AN SHAMEFUL ACT ON MINI FOR DOING THIS TO CUSTOMERS. SOUNDS OF RATTLING AND TRANSMISSION SLIPPING, DEALER STATES IT IS A REGULAR PROBLEM WITH THE COOPER BUT THERE IS NO RECALL OF ANY SORT. *TR

CVT (CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION) FAILURE. *TR

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND THE MINI COOPER WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ANY LONGER. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABOUT A MILE AWAY FROM HOME AND CALLED FOR HELP. WE HAD TO PUSH THE CAR ALL THE WAY HOME. COME TO FIND OUT, MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE MINI COOPER TRANSMISSION. THEY NOTED SOMETHING ABOUT THE CVT TRANSMISSION THAT MINI TRIED EXPERIMENTING WITH. I'VE READ MANY STORIES WHERE MINI CARS JUST STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. MANY MINI TRANSMISSIONS HAVE BEEN GIVING OUT AROUND 70,000 TO 80,000 MILES WHICH IS UNORTHODOX FOR A TRANSMISSION. THE COST TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION WAS APPROX 8,000. *TR

MY CVT IN MY 2003 MINI COOPER FAILED AT 85000 MILES.. SUDDENLY AND IT SEEMS A RARER LARGE PERCENT ARE FAILING. WITH AN AVERAGE REPLACEMENT PRICE OF $7000.. FOR A CAR THAT COST $21,000.. NEVER HAD A TRANSMISSION FAIL LIKE THIS.!! CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER.. APPRO 1.4 MILES AWAY AND WE WERE GIVEN A LIFT HOME... APPROX 24 MILES AWAY. WE ARE WAITING TO HEAR WHAT THE REPAIR COST WILL BE BUT RESEARCH GAVE ME THE NUMBER ALREADY OF $7000. TO BE HONEST.. I CANT AFFORD THAT !!! *TR

CVT FAILURE AT 37,000 MILES DEALER ESTIMATES COST AT $8,400 TO REPLACE (THERE IS NO REPAIR OPTION). *TR

DRIVING TO WORK ONE MORNING AND THE ENGINE RESPONSE SEEMED SLUGGISH. CALLED A MECHANIC FRIEND, HE SAID IT'S EITHER THE SPARK PLUGS OR TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. BOOK APPOINTMENT FOR SERVICE. SEVERAL DAYS LATER, COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 83,000KM. MINI COOPER HAS SAID THAT I NEED A COMPLETELY NEW TRANSMISSION, BEING JUST OFF WARRANTY BY 3,000KM I WAS QUOTED APPROXIMATELY $9,000 FOR REPAIRS. *TR

MY 2003 MINI COOPER USES A CVT TRANSMISSION SYSTEM AND THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED AFTER ONLY 75,000 MILES. I WAS FORTUNATE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION ACTUALLY FAILED BUT I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERS SERVICE CENTER THAT THE CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AS THE TRANSMISSION COULD GO OUT AT ANY TIME. I NEVER WOULD HAVE EXPECTED A TRANSMISSION TO GIVE OUT WITH SO FEW MILES ON IT AND ONLY TOOK IT TO THE DEALER BECAUSE IT WAS MAKING A STRANGE SOUND. HAD I NOT TAKEN IT IN I COULD HAVE LOST THE TRANSMISSION WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE HEARD FROM OTHER OWNERS OF VEHICLES LIKE MINE AND IT APPEARS THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. THE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM USED IN THESE CARS IS UNRELIABLE (I BELIEVE THE MANUFACTURER STOPPED USING IT AFTER 2004 OR 2005). THERE COULD POTENTIALLY BE A LARGE NUMBER...

SUDDEN UNEXPECTED FAILURE. CVT TRANSMISSION (AUTOMATIC) IN 2003 MINI COOPER. FIRST ONE WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THE SECOND TIME THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD SELL ME ANOTHER CAR. THE CAR SOLD FOR $22K NEW, TRANSMISSION COSTS $8500 TO REPLACE. SO THAT'S $17000 WORTH OF TRANSMISSIONS 4 YEARS (ITS BEEN SITTING FOR THE LAST YEAR WHILE I STILL HAVE TO MAKE PAYMENTS). I DON'T THINK THEIR IDEA OF BUYING ANOTHER CAR TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION WAS A GOOD IDEA. *TR

2003 MINI COOPER TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 70,000 MILES, 4 YEARS. MINI USA AND BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC HAVE A LONG HISTORY OF THIS FAILURE AND REFUSE TO TAKE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THEIR DEFECTIVE PARTS, CLAIMING IT'S A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE CAR. SMELLS OF DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICES TO ME. NOT TO MENTION A MONOPOLY-- THERE ARE ONLY TWO DEALERSHIP IN DALLAS/FORT WORTH THAT SERVICE MINI COOPERS, BOTH TELL ME THAT THE COST WILL BE BETWEEN $6K-9K TO REPLACE W/LABOR COSTS. PEP BOYS AND OTHER INDEPENDENTS WON'T OR CANNOT TOUCH IT BECAUSE IT'S A MINI COOPER AND ONLY MINI AUTHORIZED DEALERS SUPPOSEDLY HAVE SPECIALTY SOFTWARE/PARTS TO PERFORM JOB. THIS IS A RACKET, MINI AND BMW NEED TO STEP UP AND STOP SELLING DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS AND REPLACE THIS AT THEIR COST AND STAND BY THEIR PRODUCT AND FAULTY AND DEFECTIVE MANUFACTURING. THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR MANY FIRST GENERATION MINI'S AS I HAVE...

MY 2003 MINI COOPER WITH THE CVT TRANSMISSION BEGAN MAKING A RATCHETING NOISE FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE CAR WAS TOWED BACK TO TOWN, AND AFTER TALKING TO THE DEALER, IT WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER. I WAS TOLD IT NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION: $7,200.00. NO REBUILD AVAILABLE. IT HAD JUST TURNED 90,000 MILES, DRIVEN BY MYSELF (RETIRED) AND MY WIFE; VERY EASY DRIVING. THIS WAS OVER HALF THE VALUE OF THE CAR, SO WE DROVE IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP THAT WE WERE AWARE OF FOR A SECOND OPINION. ON THE TEST DRIVE AT THAT SHOP, THE TRANSMISSION "BLEW UP" AND LOCKED UP EVERYTHING ON THE STREET. THE STEEL BELT IN THE TRANSMISSION HAD COME APART, DESTROYING EVERYTHING INTERNALLY. HAD THIS HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY OR A BUSY STREET, IT COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS. UPON RESEARCHING THIS TRANSMISSION, I FIND THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NOT AT ALL UNCOMMON. I BELIEVE...