1st Gen R50 Cooper Most liked posts in thread: Dealer/Transmission/Warranty Question

  1. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    #2 Nathan, Jan 11, 2014
    As far as I know all MINI replacement parts in the US are covered by a 2 Year Warranty. However, before reciting that as gospel call MINI US 866-ASK-MINI during normal business hours and ask the the length/miles of replacement part warranty. I would only ask that info, not get into your current issue with the dealer...yet.

    You said they put in a used CVT?

    Was that under the standard and/or MINI sourced Extended Warranty period?

    I ask it that way for the following reasons. If it was a MINI Branded Warranty why in the heck did they use a used CVT as opposed to a MINI sourced rebuilt one. If it is a 3rd party extended warranty, I think you are SOL here. Who knows what these third party warranties stipulate.
     
  2. Minidave

    Minidave Well-Known Member
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    #4 Minidave, Jan 11, 2014
    I think you misunderstood them, the 2 year warranty is on new parts, with used parts your warranty is whatever the used part seller wants to give, but no way it would be over 20K miles.....I'm surprised it's even 90 days let alone a year.

    If you have a CVT you may qualify for some reimbursement under the terms of the warranty extension program currently in effect on those transmissions. I know it's no consolation, but a lot of mfrs who offered CVTs in that era have had major issues with them, it's not just MINI.
     
  3. Minidave

    Minidave Well-Known Member
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    #9 Minidave, Jan 12, 2014
    Good point......:Thumbsup:
     
  4. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    #5 Dave.0, Jan 11, 2014
    I agree with Minidave on this one (sorry) but 2 years only covers new MINI parts installed by the dealer.

    Sorry about your situation hope you get any help you can from the dealer.
     
  5. Minidave

    Minidave Well-Known Member
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    #7 Minidave, Jan 12, 2014
    Look up Way Motor Works, they've done a few of the conversions I believe, and they'll know what it entails and costs.

    As for driving it - I wouldn't. if it's making that kind of noise it will fail catastrophically, maybe at a very inopportune time.

    I'm afraid I'd see about a rental car (or a loaner from your dealer if they're going to do the work) till you get this sorted out.
     
  6. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    #8 Dave.0, Jan 12, 2014
    Well for me I would never drive it again. If you have a good relationship with your dealer see if they will help you move into a non CVT car off the lot (new or used / MINI or Non MINI) and let the dealer deal with the CVT trans.

    Just remember in the end it's a 9 year old car with how many miles? Do you really want to dump ALOT of money into it?

    I know it my not be the best option but sometimes it better to just walk away especially if you need this car as a reliable daily driver.
     
  7. desertrose

    desertrose New Member

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    #3 desertrose, Jan 11, 2014
    thank you for you insight, nathan! do u live on here? lol! unfortunately, it was a 3rd party extended warranty (we bought the car 5 years old) but we bought the warranty thru the mini dealer. it does SEEM like if you get work done at the dealer, it should have that standard warranty! at the time of the replacement, we were told that it would cost us like $4000 to have a brand new transmission put in (warranty would pay the rest) or it would be covered free if we opted for a used transmission. of course we took the used option, and thought we would be good for 2 years like she told us. we totally planned on dumping the car before that warranty period was up cause w/out a good warranty u r a fool to own one with the cvt, as we have now learned!

    i will def call that # and ask w/out going into details, and if they say 2 years i want to get it in writing!
     
  8. desertrose

    desertrose New Member

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    #6 desertrose, Jan 11, 2014
    thank you dave.0 and minidave. i wanted to get some informed opinions before i went storming back to the dealer. actually, my interaction with them has been very good, they keep telling me they are on my side. so, anyone know a good link to some info on how long u can drive on a bum transmission? first time it went out, it wouldn't shift right. this time, it drives fine but is making a gawd awful noise, like a growling sound that changes pitch with the "gear" shifts. also seems to be leaking a little fluid. like i said, it's my commuter, so i kinda need to drive it. also, anyone know how much it would cost to put in a manual? or, how much to put in a manual *after* the tranny blows up? lol! thx for the help and your compassion!
     
  9. desertrose

    desertrose New Member

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    #10 desertrose, Jan 12, 2014
    ok, i'm gonna park it while i consider my options. thx guys, it is so helpful to have input. btw, it has 64K on it now. we bought it 5 years old with 13K. we were told it was the test drive car from it's original dealer in another state. had 42K when it failed the first time, 17K on the replaced tranny. only have 3 payments left, too :sad: