Talk Morgan Forums Community Vehicle Talk (non-Morgan) 2018 Mini Cooper Transmission

My wife’s 2018 Mini Cooper with auto box was recently serviced. But now just a few weeks after, warnings have come up on the screen to advise taking it to the dealer to inspect transmission fluid and if not done could result in damage to the transmission.
Fair enough, I thought , a fault must have developed, though its only done 14k miles.
However, on checking with the online “Mini 2” forum, it seems that we are far from alone!
There are loads of owners with 2018 auto Minis, who have received similar messages, usually close to when the cars are 6 years old.Mileages covered range from around 10 k up to 50 k. Mini official recommendation though for the life of transmission fluid is 100k miles, though some suggest 50 k may be better.
Of those who visited their main dealer are first faced with a “diagnosis” charge of well over £100, followed by a renewal of fluid for several hundred pounds more!
A question sent to Mini by one owner came back with a very wishy washy reply of “take it to your dealer…etc)
Everyone is starting to think this is a money making lark ! ( when she took it in to a main dealer once for brake fluid change, they even loaded £38 onto the bill for diagnostics checking)
Anyone on here with similar?

Find a good independent BMW/MINI specialist. I stopped using my local MINI dealer after I was charged for parts they didn't actually fit.

That's what we did with our December 2015 F54 Mini Graham after the 3 year free servicing contract ran out. The problem is its unlikely independant specialists will have BMW head office backing so will be unable to update onboard service records despite having the OBDII tablet that allows updates on coded parts, resetting charge profile after new battery etc. This leaves you with a frustrating service overdue warning at every start up.

We are still waiting for a massive recall on diesel B47 engined cars concerning EGR valve, despite it coming up to nine years old, so may have them look at this issue then.

My Mercedes GLC 2019 with 75k at last service my Independent garage advised me that on Merc service guidelines Gearbox filter and oil needs service.
Took it to a Mercedes independent he advised it should be done if I want any future claims due to failed box.
It cost £500 pounds the pan and filter (built in of course) costs 200 and two hours labour at £87 plus fluids !
But a replacement gearbox would be £3k plus fitting.!

took my wife's Audi to main dealer (20k only) for service and MOT they said it's failed on emissions needs to go on computer £200 please. I picked it up and took it to local MOT garage and lo and behold it passed.

What a rip off I hope you get a good indie resolution as G says.

Mate of mine had a vw plus caravan said going down south think ill get auto box fluid changed why i said cos it says so if toeing a caravan so he got it done £400 two weeks later on holiday lost all gears . If it not broke why fix it

Should not be the case. I started to use a local specialist once the good ladies R56 got to 7 years. A small but keen bunch who knew them very well near Basingrad. They had registered with BMW/Mini and had access to do the service updates and register any changes. It was a cost on the service (£20~ from poor memory) but compared to the saving not really material to the overall cost difference. It is the same on my Merc S212 with a local MB specialist who also have access and update the factory records.

I think there could have been a fight between the auto-trade and vendors for restrictive practices that made it possible, under the correct conditions, some time ago.

I know both parties have to sign up on a contract with BMW/Mini and MB to have this access so if your local garage does multiple types it may not be worth it for them.

I have read of a Porsche 911 scenario which may have the same or similar gearbox (PDK ?) to some Merks where the oil pan has inbuilt filters and a replacement pan is required at oil change intervals. Apparently in the case of one Porsche one or more of the bolts holding the pan sheered off during removal by the main dealership, who then hired in a "specialist to resolve the situation and at extra cost to the customer... Also I think your gearbox replacement cost assessment may be a tad on the low side.... I suspect perhaps more like double digits ...?

Yes if you can find a good car service agent at less than £120/hour (location dependant to some extent) you are doing well. Most main dealers around here at £180/hr.