Automatic transmission in 2004 MINICooper failure at 98K miles. Cost to rebuild quoted at $5K-$8K.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

I have a 2004 MINICooper with 87,000 miles on it. There were no events leading up to the total cvt transmission failure that took place last Friday 07/29/11. I was entering into a large intersection when the car started bucking and rattling. I just made it into a hess station parking lot (thank goodness there was one there) when it wouldn't go any further. I had it towed to a local transmission shop and they said that the trans was dead and I was going to need a new one. They informed me that there aren't any rebuilt options and the new trans is going to cost me $5000 + $1200 for labor. I have done a bunch of research on these cvt transmissions and apparently they have been a huge problem and BMW/MINIhaven't done anything about it. I think it is a disgrace that this continues to happen and cost people thousands of dollars. Something needs to be done asap!!!!

- Abington, PA, USA

The contact owns a 2004 MINIcopper. The contact was driving 55 mph in order to pass another vehicle when the transmission failed and made it difficult to increase speed. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer several times prior to the transmission failing and was told to only use premium gasoline. The contact made the change and within a few months, the transmission failed. The failure and current mileages were 58,000.

- Chicago, IL, USA

Have a 2004 MINICooper with 65,000 miles total and only 6200 miles in last 20 months and car serviced regularly. Automatic transmission has now started to not shift properly and MINIservice reprogrammed transmission but problems have recurred and again MINIwants to reprogram transmission. If this does not work, transmission will have to be replaced at cost of $6500. There is no repair or rebuilding of this transmission. There are hundreds of reported problems with this transmission but BMW has not acknowledged any problem.

- Louisville, KY, USA

Transmission failure made car stop in traffic.

- Memphis, TN, USA

My 2004 MINICoopers transmission failed at 80K miles with no warning. Luckily I was in a parking lot and not on the highway, where I could have been killed. The cost of replacing the tranny was $7,000. MINIusa was useless when I pleaded with them to help me. After reading about all of the other complaints with the cvt trans, I can't believe there was no recall. I will never buy a MINIagain. I still owe $11,000 on the car and cannot afford another.

- Southampton, PA, USA

Purchased a 2004 MINICooper a year ago, with a mileage of 17,000 miles. After driving about 4,000 miles, the car broke down and was sent to local MINIdealer to get it fixed. Continuous variable transmission was diagnosed wrecked, and dealer offered a replacement (only solution) with a re-furbished cvt transmission for $9800. After negotiation, I had MINIcover the parts and I paid labor. But I have seen on so many forums that all cvt transmissions are failing so I wonder why there have been no recalls. My cvt failed when the car had 21,000 miles!

- Boston, MA, USA

Our 2004 MINICooper (cvt) automatic transmission needs to be replaced. The car has only 74,000 mile on it.

- Ventura, CA, USA

Transmission gave way.

- New York, NY, USA

I was driving normal. I was making a left turn on my 2004 MINICooper (automatic transmission) the car move a little and all of a sudden the car stalled. The car behind me was honking and I quickly shift to N and tried starting and the car started. My car has only 1650 miles. I called MINIthe next day and customer service rep told me that there is no recalls or issues known to MINIat this time.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA