Engine Drivetrain 1st Gen Cooper S 02-06 MCS with 6 speed Automatic Transmissions

Yeah, good idea. If you can do it go for full syn, Royal Purple or Redline, pricey but they will take you safely another 40K. My local dealer had 1 crush washer. I bought my 06 end of December with about 45k on it. I would have change it at 40k had I owned it then, but did it my second weekend after I bought it. First weekend was oil and filters. It's not that hard, it just takes a while but definitely worth doing.

Tracy

 

We'd be happy to help you create a Library article for this. Please send a PM to Steve to get the ball rolling.

 

Great idea...

Looking forward to read the how to.

 

That is a great idea for a library article. My 06 mcs has 64000 miles on it and shifts just fine. I was always wondering what the recommended service interval was for the 6 speed auto. If it's not to hard I would do it myself and instructions are always handy. Thanks for the idea and hope it shows up in the library!

 

We have had a member in mass find that the tranny fluid is also sold at toyotda dealers...they use many trannys from the same manufacture....

 

Yep, it's an Aisin TF-60SN in the MINI.

 

I wonder if they also supply the Aisin Carp thriving up in lake Erie?

 

Minikar
I would like to get your instructions on how to change my 2006 S tranny also.
I purchased it this Janary with 48,000 miles on it and from whay you say its
better to be safe and not sorry.

Jay

 

MINI's definition of 'lifetime fluid': A fluid that is good enough to last until the car is out of warranty and it is no longer their problem.

It all depends on what 'life' you are referring to. Technically, the transmission fluid will last until the transmission explodes from lack of lubrication and needs to be replaced.... hence, it lasts for the lifetime of the transmission.

 

Hey guys! This thread came right on time Today I decided to take some time and compiled my own DIY along with other helpful information from over the North American Motoring thread dedicated to this very topic. I'm attaching my PDF and I hope that any feedback you have you will not hesitate since I am looking to improve it best I can. Yes, it's long

Bottom line, if you know how to change your own oil, the ATF change is just a bit more complicated than that. With patience and care, I am confident you can do it.
Let me know what you think.
I am hoping to include instructions for the R56. I think I'll open a related thread on that forum and we will see what we get.

 

Can someone help me out with the R's?
I'm ashamed to admit I only know the 2007+ is the R56
What about the 2007+ base Mini, Clubman /S and Countryman /S?

RealOEM.com and a parts guy are coming through, here is what I have found out so far.
Some Mini S use the TF-60SN and others use the TF61SN from 2005 to 2012
The clubman / coupe / Mini could also have the TF70SC from 2011-2012
The Countryman from 2011-2012 has the TF61-SN and in 2012 the TF61SN or the TF70SC

So! Time to look up how the TF61 and TF70 are different and what impact that has on the DIY.

 

Sah-weet! I'll have a look.

 

Per the diagrams, it appears all transmission models are either identical in make, or very very similar. I am 90% sure the procedure for the fluid change is the same across all 6-speed automatics.

I've made some significant changes to the how-to and re-attached the new copy above.
If you have saved a copy, get the new one.

 

Thanks fishbone for the instructions to change the tranny fluid! I just downloaded them and will give it a try when i get back home... in a few weeks. For now my mini sits quietly in the garage at home while i'm out in North Dakota working...

 

Yep - what MiniKar said.

I changed mine at 80k and it was like burned coffee. Nasty. Mostly due to me doing the nasty power downshifts on way too many Dragon runs and vastly overheating the fluid. I was getting lots of slip in the 2-3 shift. Thought a tranny rebuild was imminent.

After the fluid change, things shift better than new. Now at 111k and no problems.

At 80k, I did the drain/refill cycle 3 or 4 times. At 100k (and every 20k thereafter) I'll do a double drain/fill cycle. That will keep "fresh enough" fluid in there for the life of the car.

And I don't abuse the tranny as much as I did in the first few years.

I use the Toyota T-IV fluid, using fishbone's DIY.