1st Gen R50 Cooper CVT Transmission rebuilder

Discussion in '1st Generation: 2002–06 R50, R53 & 2004–08 R52' started by Columbia Firestone, Jul 24, 2014.

  1. Columbia Firestone

    Columbia Firestone New Member

    Jul 24, 2014
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    Columbia Firestone is an independent tire and full service automotive shop. We are located in Columbia, IL, which is just across the JB Bridge about 5 minutes from South County and about 15 minutes from downtown St. Louis. We are not part of corporate Bridgestone/Firestone.

    A customer of ours recently had a serious/catastrophic issue with his 2005 Mini Cooper CVT transmission. After contacting the local Mini dealer and being told that they do not rebuild CVT transmissions (they only replace them), we looked for an alternative solution for our customer. I wanted to let your members know that they do now have another option to replacement of their CVT.

    After a lot of research and some additional investment in the correct diagnostic and computer equipment, Columbia Firestone now has the expertise and sources of supply to rebuild CVT transmissions for much less than full CVT replacement cost. If you have additional questions about our capabilities or pricing, we can be contacted through the forum, or at [email protected], or by phone 618-281-6900
     
  2. wmwny

    wmwny Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for that great piece of information!:Thumbsup:
    I live in western Ohio and own an '03 R50 CVT, so I am sure I will be in close contact with you one of these days.

    Welcome to M/A!:cornut:
     
  3. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    Welcome to M/A the FUN Mini site. :Thumbsup:


    Real men drive stick. :p :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

    I know some of you old guys can't anymore for physical reasons.
     
  4. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    Manuel welcomes you to M/A....
    [​IMG]
     
  5. wmwny

    wmwny Well-Known Member

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    Sonny-BOY...I grew up on a stick shift...first a 4- speed, then a 3 on the column, then a 5 and finally a 6. I'd still have a 6-speed if it wasn't for the left hip I threw out while on a teacher-student tour while walking Monaco before we found out it is honeycombed with elevators and escalators. Truly, stair climbing to that extreme IS hell and it ruined any chances of my staying with any left foot, clutch-depressed stick shift. That said, my MCSa is a worthy substitute and my left hip is eternally grateful.
     
  6. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    It may be time for a MOD. I think titanium would do just fine. :biggrin5:
     
  7. wmwny

    wmwny Well-Known Member

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    WHAT??? SURGERY??? ARE YOU DAFT, MAN??? AND KEEP FROM DRIVING MY MINIs WHILE RECUPERATING??? SORRY, BUT, NO FREAKING WAY!!! :frown2::lol::arf:
     
  8. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    Everyone I know who has had a hip or knee replaced has said "why did I wait so long to do it". :yesnod:

    Just my .02. Who gives a carp about what someone's choice of gearbox is? :wink:
     
  9. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    Well I know my day is coming so I don't blame you. But one of my friends knee was so bad he couldn't kick his Indian over to start it. He put off the new knee as long as he could. After he had it done he told me he wish he had it done sooner. Now he is back on his Bike (and I don't mean that peace of trash Harley)! And that old Indian can kick like a mule when it kicks back.:D
     
  10. Columbia Firestone

    Columbia Firestone New Member

    Jul 24, 2014
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    Also able to get some misc Aftermarket parts. such as intakes, turbo blanket, coils, rotors, sway bars etc.
     
  11. BlimeyCabrio

    BlimeyCabrio Oscar Goldman of MINIs
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    Thanks for posting, guys. Ignore the manual bigots. :prrr:

    Your help with CVTs will be appreciated by MANY. :Thumbsup:
     
  12. wmwny

    wmwny Well-Known Member

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    I drive just fine with my MCSas and my r50 cvt. As long as I have fun with my cars..no hip replacement for me, but thanks for all the advice.:cornut:
     
  13. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    Welcome to the best MINI site in this corner of the universe.... Don't misread some of our posts.... It's mostly in jest.... Lots of CVT's user's will be interested in your service...

    Please consider becoming a M/A vendor....

    Maybe it's because we manual shifters are a dying breed and we are resisting evolution.... Someday I will probably end up rowing an automatic as well....

    Which reminds me of this guy.....

    [ame=http://youtu.be/1gYE5TyijxE]"SHIFT IT" - Amazing Transmission Commercial - YouTube[/ame]
     
  14. wmwny

    wmwny Well-Known Member

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    As long as it's an '06 R53 auto you are rowing, who cares?:devil:
     
  15. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    MANUAL BIGOTS!!!! Well I'll have you know I resemble that remark!:biggrin5:
     
  16. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    #16 Dave.0, Jul 25, 2014
    Last edited: Jul 25, 2014
    Damn I really upset the old heads that can't drive stick anymore for "medical" reasons. :eek::eek6::frown2:

    Easy fellas calm down and take your Geritol, have Dinner, Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune will be on right before your bedtime. :lol::lol::lol:

    FYI Stephen Hawking still drives stick with his mind connected to his computer and wheelchair.


    HAPPY FRIDAY!


    Welcome to M/A Columbia Firestone as you can see we are just one big happy family and I am the runt but it is all in good fun. :Thumbsup::lol:
     
  17. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    Love that commercial, that there is some funny shift! :D
     
  18. Montego Murph

    Montego Murph New Member

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    Sorry for rehashing an old post. Some forums get riled up about that.

    Question for Columbia Shop Techs:

    What is your thought on preventative CVT belt replacement? Is it something worth doing, or instead just wait until it breaks then deal with it?

    I've got a 2005 R52 with 135K, third owner. The car is in "taken care of but well-loved" condition. Good enough to preserve, in my eyes, considering what I paid for it.

    I'm going to guess that the belt cannot be changed with the transmission still in the car.

    Thanks
    Murph
     
  19. Minidave

    Minidave Well-Known Member
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    Murph, the "belt" is more like a multi link chain, it runs in the oil internal to the transmission.

    We have local club members with well over 200K on CVTs, the key is regular changing of the transmission fluid....using the correct stuff.
     
  20. Montego Murph

    Montego Murph New Member

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    #20 Montego Murph, Aug 10, 2016
    Last edited: Aug 10, 2016
    Dave,

    That is good to know. What is the preferred fluid? I'm aware of the Redline stuff, and the BMW-branded fluid.

    I've been wrenching for years, but the whole Mini scene and CVT technology is new to me -- so please forgive my learning curve.
     

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