This is a news item that came across my desk. Not sure if there any validity to it as I've not found much more than this article. Source - Mini Coopers Misrepresent 'Lifetime' Transmission Fluid, Lawsuit Claims - ABC News
In the article it says all "S" We know that the R53 only came manual from 2002-2004. So I guess both transmissions????
The article does not say. Searching for more info leads no where. There are lots of references but they all point back to the original article, which is above. I'm almost sorry I posted it now, but will keep looking for more info. The only updates I've seen are that the plaintiff and legal team (Baron & Budd) have not responded to requests for information.
Well, in the case of the slush boxes, I think they've got a point. It is misrepresented, badlly. Whether it was misrepresented by Aisin to BMW, or whether BMW was gaming the green vehicle fluid waste standards for marketing purposes, or whether someone just made a bad business decision as to what to cover under the service plans, or someone was just STUPID... we may never know. But the result is that they advise people to drive these things "like you stole it" and tell you the you'll never need to change the auto tranny fluid. They obviously had no idea some of us would take them seriously. At 55k miles, mine was failing. Now, with 20k mile partial fluid changes, I'm still on my original slush box at 143k miles of daily thrashing. But the dealer offered to replace my tranny for many thousands of dollars, as changing the fluid wasn't even considered an option (officially) four+ years ago. My fluid was like burnt coffee when I drained it. Torque converter + many dragon runs = cooked tranny fluid. If I had bought a transmission... I'd have sued them a long time ago.
Well.... Here's a clue... If it's got friction discs.... And it gets used.... Loose particles are going to end up in the fluid.... The filter will collect them up to a point.... I don't care what they say about "Lifetime" fluid.... Change the fluid.... No one has invented anything that doesn't wear out if it get's used.... A few quarts of fluid and or a filter are relative cheap in the scheme of things...
When I had my wife's clubman in I asked about changing the fluid. I was told it was lifetime.:crazy: It was changed at another shop. Funny thing is the PS fluid is considered lifetime too. Yet my friendly SA at the dealer told me I should have that fluid flushed out along with my wallet using their new flush it machine at my last dealer visit. I said sure but show me where that is a required maintenance from MINI. The answer was the sound of crickets chirping. When my PS motor dies I'll change the fluid.
Pure nitrogen is not recommended. I use a blend of 78% nitrogen, 20% oxygen, 1% argon, plus various other traces.