Transaxle on the MINICooper failed. Unit contains sealed bearings (so I'm told), that are not serviceable. Therefore, I had to buy a complete new unit at a cost of $3,000 ()included $900 labor). I understand this is not an uncommon failure for minis, and that MINIand BMW are refusing to work with consumers to address this problem. However, they have apparently changed the design, recognizing the poor design of the original unit.

- Santa Fe, NM, USA

24 degree morning car's manual 6-speed transmission frozen in 1st gear. Took other car to work. Problem gone after returning from work at 40 degrees. Looked up online. Saw many of the same complaints due to water in shifter cables.

- Goochland, VA, USA

My 2005 MINIhad aprox. 77,000 miles on it when I had drove for about an hour, pulled into my driveway, heard a loud noise, and when I got out I saw a piece of the transmission casing laying on the ground and all the fluid drained out. There are 95 MINIowners that I know of who have had 1 or 2 transmissions replaced after only a few years of use. Mine cost me 5,000 dollars and loss of use for 2 months. MINIwas aware of the faulty transmissions and continued to sell them. I really believe there needs to be a reckoning.

- San Mateo, CA, USA