Mini sued over CVT failures. Again.
07-14-12, 12:04 AM
#1
Mini sued over CVT failures. Again.
Mini sued over CVT failures. Again.
A group of Florida plaintiffs have come together to file a class action lawsuit against Mini. Their issue is with the reliability of the Continuously Variable Transmissions in first-generation Cooper hatchbacks from 2002-2006 and in Cooper Convertible models from 2006-2008. A cursory web search on the matter returns plenty of results from Mini owners complaining of the same issue, sudden failure of the CVT, and having mixed fortunes at Mini dealers when trying to get the situation resolved.
The Florida suit comes a year after a class action suit was filed against Mini in California for the same reason. As with the Florida case, the California legal action Brad Aarons v. BMW of North America, LLC sees "restitution, damages and other relief" for plaintiffs who were "required to spend approximately $6,000 to $9,000 (one-third to one-half of the original purchase price) to repair or replace their CVTs, or sell their vehicle without repair for a substantial loss...." Parent company BMW has not yet commented on the matter.
The Florida suit comes a year after a class action suit was filed against Mini in California for the same reason. As with the Florida case, the California legal action Brad Aarons v. BMW of North America, LLC sees "restitution, damages and other relief" for plaintiffs who were "required to spend approximately $6,000 to $9,000 (one-third to one-half of the original purchase price) to repair or replace their CVTs, or sell their vehicle without repair for a substantial loss...." Parent company BMW has not yet commented on the matter.
07-14-12, 08:26 AM
#3
Lexus Fanatic
I'm still not convinced of CVT reliability in general, not just in Minis. To me, a conventional 5 or 6-speed automatic or dual-clutch automanual generally makes more sense.....but I don't see the need for 7/8/9-speed units, which, IMO, are just overkill.
While there is no denying the CVT's flexibility and potential efficiency (despite their sometimes annoying driving characteristics), I think automakers are turning to them because they are light, compact, less-complex, and, yes, the old cost-cutting issue........probably cheaper to produce.
While there is no denying the CVT's flexibility and potential efficiency (despite their sometimes annoying driving characteristics), I think automakers are turning to them because they are light, compact, less-complex, and, yes, the old cost-cutting issue........probably cheaper to produce.
07-14-12, 10:09 AM
#4
Lexus Champion
07-14-12, 10:10 AM
#5
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A Mini is a fun little car, but the CVT in it is lack luster and the day to day driving enjoyment is gone, not to mention the gas mileage is not that great.
1st generation CVT have shafted a lot of unknowing customers, Nissan has covered all of their CVT equipped vehicles up to MY 2010 with a 10year 120k warranty, 1st gen Murano overs definitely got hit with 6000-8000 dollar repair/replacement bills, but in the end customers are the true testers of these products, you can do everything and anything to a car/product but once it gets to the general public that does not matter
1st generation CVT have shafted a lot of unknowing customers, Nissan has covered all of their CVT equipped vehicles up to MY 2010 with a 10year 120k warranty, 1st gen Murano overs definitely got hit with 6000-8000 dollar repair/replacement bills, but in the end customers are the true testers of these products, you can do everything and anything to a car/product but once it gets to the general public that does not matter
07-14-12, 01:47 PM
#7
it's kinda funny to me that a lot of people that own a car with a CVT transmission have no idea it has a CVT or what a CVT even exactly is. I've come across a good number of them...
Never had any issues with my fiances 08 Altima Hybrid CVT, thankfully!
Never had any issues with my fiances 08 Altima Hybrid CVT, thankfully!
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07-14-12, 02:03 PM
#8
Lexus Fanatic
I go to lunch in a mini almost everyday ( co workers car) and I thought it felt like a standard transmission. Are they all CVT??? Maybe that explains the torquey feel for such a small car and motor
07-14-12, 03:59 PM
#9
^^ from what I understand the first generation 2001-2004 offered CVT, 5-speed manual in the base Coopers or the Cooper S came with a 6-speed automatic or manual. 2006-present 2nd gen (base or S) come with 6-speed manual or auto
Last edited by Hoovey689; 07-14-12 at 04:04 PM.
07-14-12, 04:06 PM
#10
Lexus Champion
07-14-12, 04:58 PM
#11
07-14-12, 08:34 PM
#12
Lexus Champion
07-15-12, 12:18 AM
#13
Lexus Test Driver
Loved my A4 CVT. With manual tiptronic shifting, it feels no different than a regular automatic. Without the manual shifting, most modern CVT's have fake built in gears to simulate the feeling.
I have total faith in today's units. With Honda betting on it with the 2013 Accord, I think old CVT worries are a thing of the past.
I have total faith in today's units. With Honda betting on it with the 2013 Accord, I think old CVT worries are a thing of the past.
Last edited by Fizzboy7; 07-15-12 at 10:19 AM.
07-15-12, 05:46 AM
#14
The Lexus web page says the RX450 hybrid has an Electronically controlled Continuously Variable Transmission with intelligence (ECVT-i) with Sequential Shift, Sport and Snow modes.
07-15-12, 07:50 AM
#15
Lexus Champion