Dynamic MiNi Collective

I copied this from a reply I made to another post of mine, but thought it might get lost if it didn't get its own post title.

I just had my MINI serviced last week (the odo now reads about 39,000)--(as a side note all I got with my free 3yr/36K maintenance plan was one free oil change)

The MiniMania and Mini Tempe Service website articles both say the Inspection 1 and Inspection 2 services say to change the automatic transmission fluid; but it references the CVT. I don't have the CVT auto-trans....I have the auto-trans that came after that.

On my Inspection 1, the transmission fluid change was not done. I was advised that its not part of the service at Mini Tempe. My payment invoice also indicates that the automatic transmission fluid change was not completed; the invoice has line items for all parts which lists the engine oil and filter but no mention of tranmssion service related items. After tax cost was slightly over $300.

Does anyone know when they stopped doing the transmission fluid changes as part of the Inspections? Should they have done the auto-trans fluid change??

The 6-speed automatics are filled for life according to MINI. Most modern cars equipped with non CVT transmission are filled for life. Something to do with the way the CVT operates requires fluid to be changed regularly (30-50k depending on manufacture). Most modern day automatics have been filled for life since the late 90's. Some customer still chose to have them serviced but its not recommended by the manufacture.

So the Inspection 1 service have been reduced to oil change with micro filter, wiper inserts. Inspection 2 adds air filter, spark plugs and drive belt depending on model. Brake fluid is separately recommended at 2 years and coolant replacement at 4 years but not included in Inspections 1 or 2.

The CVT was phased out with the R50 and R52 Cooper models. They were never fitted to S models as they could not handle the extra power.

Yep, very common among most manufacturers on automatics these days. I know a buddy of mine was surprised to find this out on his Lexus, but also the same with them. They aren't even serviceable on most automatics these days as the fill points are often between the body and the case of the transmission, even if the drain is accessible.

Ok, that's good to know!! I had no idea that they are "filled for life" now.

Thanks for the info!

Gigi wrote:Ok, that's good to know!! I had no idea that they are "filled for life" now.

Thanks for the info!

"Life" meaning 100,000mi.... If you want your MINI to last more than that you may want to service more often than the recomended service intervals.

There really should be a "like" button on this thing, but you are right, "life" from the manufactures stand point is when they want to you buy a new car. Supposedly the fuel filters are "lifetime" also but usually get replaced around 100k.

One of the reasons they changed items to "lifetime" was to lower the "cost of ownership", which some people use in car buying decisions. That is also the reason many brands have factory covered maintenance. Pretty much it helps them sell cars.

Well my transmission went out at about 100k. Not sure changing the fluid would have help. I tried at 95k but it still ate it's self. It is very expensive to replace or repair so I'm sure lifetime fluid is possible. I would recommend having a trans shop do a free eval just to make sure everything looks good every so offen.

perrin wrote:Well my transmission went out at about 100k. Not sure changing the fluid would have help. I tried at 95k but it still ate it's self. It is very expensive to replace or repair so I'm sure lifetime fluid is possible. I would recommend having a trans shop do a free eval just to make sure everything looks good every so offen.

Yep, I agree... if i was beyond warranty mileage, I'd be finding a place to do the fluid I think...

ill just stick to the manual trans though