new car bmw mini

[jeff10049]

Just picked this up for the wife.
Its pretty badass car AWD turbo fully loaded 2013.
Has a switch for sport mode sends more power to rear wheels rather than front, 20hp increase, more steering feedback.
Also has the paddle shift on the steering wheel fun to drive.

Only thing I wish MINI still offered the CVT trans that our 2004 has its way cool with the three modes and seamless power delivery. I guess the problems they had made them shy away, shame as all the problems are solved by simply servicing the thing.

This new car has a 6 speed regular shifting auto.

[MPlayle]

The CVT transmission was coupled with the Daimler-Chrysler engine that was part of the engine combinations that went out after the 2007 model changeover to the turbo motors.

[MiniDave]

While the CVT was widely reviled, we have two club members who's cars have them - one just crossed 175K and the other has 250K and was tracked 2-3 times a season for a number of years. What both cars have in common are regular (and expensive) fluid changes at the dealer.

[MtyMous]

How much did you pay if you don't mind me asking. This weekend, my wife and I looked at a 2011 Countryman S (not AWD) with 48k miles and the guy is asking $15,500.

I really want it for me as a DD, but I want the AWD.

[jeff10049]

Yep Dave,
same here over 160k on our cvt it works great I have serviced it since new every 20k at first it was hard to find fluid had to take my own container to the dealer 150 miles away so they could fill it from bulk drum. Now most auto parts stores have fluid that works still spendy just easier to get.
I quit using the esso fluid about 60k ago and went with the cvt fluid from atp  that my local baxter auto has it seems to actually work a little better/ smoother.

Jeff

[jeff10049]

How much did you pay if you don't mind me asking. This weekend, my wife and I looked at a 2011 Countryman S (not AWD) with 48k miles and the guy is asking $15,500.

I really want it for me as a DD, but I want the AWD.

It was 24,380 I think they took it down to around 22,000 to get the payment where I wanted. The Awd will be nice this winter can't wait to put that traction control to work.
(edit) by the way miles are 26k
Jeff

[gasmini]

Nice looking Countryman and they do great in the snow. We took our 2013 Countryman to Colorado and it didn't have any problems at all going through 5 to 6 inches of snow.

[MiniDave]

I'm amazed at how much room there is in a Countryman - especially in the back seat!

Congrats on the new ride!

[Mudhen]

Nice looking Countryman!  Congrats!

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[MiniDave]

I have the next step smaller - the Clubman. Goes with my classis Clubman Estate!  ;D

[jeff10049]

Thats a cool car Dave wish they made it in awd.

On another note I serviced the trans for the first time today at 30k the fluid was black so I did it drove around the block and did it again. used royal purple max it meets the 3309 spec and is synthetic unlike the factory lifetime fluid. remember bmw defines lifetime as the warranty period the fluid needs changing preferably before warranty is up.

So on these six speeds you pull the drain plug with a allen the same size pulls a stand pipe out of the hole and allows the fluid to drain out then reinstall the stand pipe. I then used a fluid pump that fits quart bottles with a 1/8" npt  fitting it will screw a couple threads into the drain hole its not the right thread but easy to get and works fine just hand tight. Then pump in 2.5 quarts and start the car and remove the fitting let the excess fluid drip out at about 110 degree fluid temp you want to put the plug back in.  If you pull the pan there is a filter to change also.

Next is front and rear diff's

[Jims5543]

2.5 quarts?  When I do the fluid change on my FJ transmission it takes 7 or 9 quarts I have to look it up.  I need to do another one, like BMW Toyota claims lifetime fluid.  I changed the first at 100K and now I am doing it every 60K.

Very smart servicing them despite what the stealership will tell you.