Mini sued over CVT failures. Again.
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 42,476
Likes: 321
From: California
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.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,602
Likes: 271
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
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.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,204
Likes: 12
From: The Woodlands, TX
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,618
Likes: 0
From: NYC/ATL
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
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!
Trending Topics
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 22,608
Likes: 105
From: Waiting for next track day
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
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles
Michael S. Palmer
10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4
Joe Kucinski
8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers
Joe Kucinski
TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 42,476
Likes: 321
From: California
^^ 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; Jul 14, 2012 at 04:04 PM.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 20,244
Likes: 275
Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,309
Likes: 31
From: Canada
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 9,998
Likes: 248
From: California
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; Jul 15, 2012 at 10:19 AM.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,626
Likes: 27
From: Iowa
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.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,204
Likes: 12
From: The Woodlands, TX