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Judge to approve settlement of Mini CVT lawsuits

BMW has agreed to settle a number of class-action lawsuits out of court. The suits stem from drivetrain issues on the 2001 to 2006 R50 Mini Cooper - in particular, its continuously variable transmission. The transmission was known to fail, often without warning on otherwise healthy and well-maintained vehicles. This wasn't the only major issue to afflict the original BMW-era Mini models.
According to legal site Topclassactions.com, the suits alleged that BMW knowingly hid the defects in the CVT from customers while informing dealers of the issue. The first suit was filed in 2011, while four additional suits have followed. Now, BMW has reportedly settled, offering to reimburse 1,200 owners that needed repairs within eight years or 150,000 miles of their purchase. Repair prices for the transmission range from $6,000 to $9,000.
Under the agreement, BMW will also offer up to $4,100 to members of the suit that had fixes performed at a third-party shop, while owners who sold their cars at a loss due to the issues are slated to receive up to $2,000. Finally, owners who are part of the suit will be warrantied for a further eight years and 150,000 miles.

2019 Mini Cooper JCW Knight Edition Drivers' Notes | Drama in a tiny package

The Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Hardtop is the most performance you can buy in a Mini. More powerful JCW Clubmans and Countrymans are over the horizon, but those are much larger cars. A two-door hardtop with a hatchback is the traditional Mini shape, and we were thrilled to have a go in it. Being the JCW, our tester was equipped with the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 228 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. Those power figures aren’t tantalizing, but theyÂ’re enough to make this little car a real hoot to zip around town in. We also had the six-speed automatic, which costs $1,500 more than a manual — donÂ’t worry, the automatic is still fun. After adding options and the all-important Knights Edition package, the sticker was up to $42,565. That is far more expensive than a lot of cars with more performance than what this little Mini has to offer. However, the Mini lifestyle is about more than just performance — customizability is huge, allowing you to personalize your brand-new car to a much higher degree than competitors. Additionally, there are only going to be 150 Knights Edition models made, so youÂ’ll have a car that could be rather appealing to a Mini enthusiast in the future. Road Test Editor Reese Counts: I love hot hatches. Even in the hatchback-averse American market, there's a wide variety to choose from. There's the tried-and-true Volkswagen Golf GTI (I used to own a MkV), its more powerful all-wheel-drive Golf R sibling, the unfortunately styled but extremely fun Honda Civic Type R, and the soon-to-be-extinct (if possibly already) European-American hybrid Ford Focus RS. Few cars at any price point are as consistently fun as hot hatches. Good ones are always eager to play, even putting around town. The Mini Cooper JCW has always been one of the more wild of the bunch, a hopped-up version of the Cooper S that spits and pops and burbles like oil on a cast iron pan. Past models were for Mini enthusiasts that were willing to pay more for the most hardcore Cooper around. The current car debuted in 2015, and while I've driven a few current-gen Coopers, this is the first time I had a chance in a JCW. My complaints hold true — visibility isn't great and it's expensive for what you get — but it's a hell of a lot of fun and not nearly as punishing as I expected. The ride was pretty compliant on Detroit's moon-cratered streets, even with our tester's 17-inch wheels. It was firm, sure, but not nearly as bad as I'd heard.

2021 Mini Countryman Boardwalk Edition price and features detailed

Mini announced a new appearance package for the Countryman called the Boardwalk Edition back in December, and now the company has revealed how much it will cost. With the $850 destination fee, it rings in at $39,215 for the front-wheel-drive version, or $41,215 for the all-wheel-drive. That's not cheap, but it comes with quite a bit. Based on the Cooper S Countryman and painted in a unique Deep Laguna Metallic paint, it comes with a Pin Spoke wheels, external trim, and contrasting roof all in Piano Black. The interior is available with only one upholstery, Cross Punch leather also in black. A touchscreen nav package comes standard on Boardwalks, which includes Apple CarPlay, wireless charging, and real-time traffic. The Boardwalk Edition also includes equipment from the normally $2,000 Premium Package, including LED fog and headlights, power-folding and auto-dimming mirrors, heated front seats and automatic climate control. Additionally, the Boardwalk Edition also receives bespoke door sills, roof and dashboard graphics, as well as unique Boardwalk side scuttles standard.  Compared to a a similarly equipped Signature trim with Premium Package, the Boardwalk Edition's price has a discount of a hair less than $1,000. If you like that package and the Deep Laguna color, then this is the trim for you. The Mini Countryman Boardwalk Edition will hit dealerships in April 2021. There's no word on whether a Park Place Edition will follow. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.