It’s no surprise to devout Rams fans that their beloved L.A. Rams are currently experiencing such success this 2018 season! In fact, they’ve positioned themselves as the frontrunners for winning the NFC West Division and possibly the conference. While Todd Gurley, Jared Goff, Aaron Donald, and Coach Sean McVay are all integral components contributing to this success, having dedicated fans is an inspiration to all the Rams players. No hometown across America has a tailgating fan base like the Rams! For newbies to the area or those just realizing how phenomenal their Rams are, here are some tailgating musts: Read more
Who ever thought parents would be vying with each other to be the one who gets to drive the kids to their tennis practices, golf tournaments, and ballerina lessons? BMW did. Feature-packed and loaded with power, it’s easy to see how the high-tech, high-end 2019 BMW x5 has transformed quick jaunts to the local market, weekend trips to mountain resorts, and roadtrips to family reunions back east into enjoyable journeys for the whole family. Read more
Having a hard time deciding between a BMW 3 Series and a Mercedes C-Class? Both are beautiful luxury cars with certain features that distinguish them from one another. So which type of vehicle is right for you? Read more
BMW recently released a look at their new 2017 BMW M5. It has some of the latest in automotive technology and it is definitely a car many BMW enthusiasts will want to get their hands on. The BMW always has something to offer, but this time around they outdid themselves. We’ve put together a list of some of the best features the new BMW M5 has to offer. Read more
BMWs are a very popular used car for people to purchase. Because of the steep cost of a brand new vehicle from the German automaker, many potential owners turn to the second-hand market in order to acquire one of their cars or SUVs. While this is a great idea to save money, choosing a subpar used model could end up costing you a truckload of money while the vehicle is constantly in the shop for maintenance. If you are looking to avoid frequent trips to the repair shop, here are a few models you should keep an eye out for when looking around for a pre-owned BMW:
BMW 3 Series
This legendary vehicle has been around for over 30 years and remains one of BMWs most popular offerings. There are countless amounts of used M3s available, all with their own positives and drawbacks. While we wouldn’t have time to list every great model, we can recommend the E90 for those looking for a newer version of the classic car. Those who like a heavier ride will be especially happy with this choice, as it has a more substantial feel to it than previous editions.
This modern M3 was introduced in 2008 and changed the game. It features a 414-horsepower, 4.0-liter V8 engine and a bevy of other powerful features. These vehicles hold up extremely well over time, so try to find the lowest-mileage for your budget and you should be in good shape to avoid costly maintenance.
BMW 5 Series
This is an ideal choice for car buyers in the market for a luxurious, spacious vehicle that doesn’t break the bank to maintain. The 5 series is BMW’s large executive car that competes with makes such as the Lexus GS and Audi A6. Since these are often used as fleet cars, make sure you check the interior for heavy wear-and-tear.
You should be able to find a plethora of options when looking for a used 5 series model, including diesel models. One great choice for a 5 series would be the 520d, which features incredible fuel economy and strong performance with low emissions to boot. Don’t be afraid to shop around and see where the best value is in your area however, as most of the 5 series are standout vehicles.
BMW 1 Series
The 1 Series offers the most bang for the buck. While it is generally the cheapest BMW on the market, it is far from a weak vehicle. It can hold its own against the Audi A3, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and other small luxury cars and features rear-wheel drive when most competitors are front-wheel. There are five-door hatches and two-door coupes available, but you’ll most likely run into the five-door options when shopping for used 1 series.
The most cost-efficient model is arguably the 118i, which are generally priced a few-thousand dollars less than comparable diesel options. Unless you plan on driving great distances with your used 1 series, the petrol model should be just fine. This sleek, compact car is worth strong consideration for commuters and those seeking a smaller vehicle.
MINI Cooper CVT Transmission Problems: How to Repair
A common problem that a lot of 2002-2006 MINI Cooper owners have experienced is a failed CVT transmission, even with considerably low mileage. CVT transmission stands for Continuous Variable Transmission which is an automatic transmission that can seamlessly change through different gear ratios. Owners may experience a slipping transmission, a transmission that will only shift in to the following gear at extremely high rpm’s, or the transmission will not engage at all.. These are just a few examples that a driver would experience when a CVT transmission is starting to fail.
Several years ago there was a class action law suit brought against BMW (MINI parent company) for these notoriously bad transmissions, and MINI was forced to repair or replace these transmissions under warranty. The recall to replace these transmissions under warranty expired in 2014, so unfortunately for owner’s of older Mini Coopers who are on the hook for the repair cost if they fail.
There are many problems that the CVT can have including the belt breaking, the seals going bad internally, or the Pulse-Width Modulated solenoids on the valve body can go bad. The transmission needs to inspected and diagnosed by one of our professional technicians at Haus Of Minis & BMW to determine if the transmission is actually bad and needs to be replaced. CVT transmissions are very hard to rebuild, and there are very few shops that even attempt to rebuild them, and the ones that do have a very low success rate. The best long term option is to replace it with a new one from the dealer, but this is costly and can exceed the value of the car.
It is very important to change transmission fluid exchange every 30,000 miles as MINI recommends to help prevent these issues.
It does not hurt to do them even more frequently than the 30,000 mile interval just to be safe
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call or would like a free inspection on your vehicle please call your MINI experts at Haus Of Minis & BMW at (855)572-6464 (MINI).
From everyone at The Haus we wish you a joyous holiday season. Thank you for your endless support! We look forward to seeing you in 2016. Have a safe and happy New Years!
