Transmission Not Go Into Gear problems of the 2003 Mini Cooper

I own a 2003 Mini Cooper with 67k miles ( out of warranty). Two weeks ago while driving up a hill to my home, the transmission would not go into gear. I could barely make it up the hill and had to change to the slow lane and pull off the road. After doing much searching on the internet, I found that many were having this problem. This is a major drive chain component that shouldn't go out at 67k. The cvt transmission seems to be flawed and acknowledged by the manufacturer as they do not put these transmissions into the newer models. Also it seems, even out of warranty Mini's get transmissions replaced; with the owner only having to pay for labor if the owner causes a "stink" or alludes to making problems for Mini. If the manufacturer really believed the cvt transmission were not faulty, I believe they would stick to their position with all customers, instead of making exceptions. Mini should be ordered to recall cars with the cvt transmission.

Purchased 2003 Mini Cooper in 3/03 at Mini sterling in va. Moved to PA, servicing car under warranty at the nearest dealership, otto's Mini in west chester (50 mi away). Minor issues corrected under warranty, which expired in late 2005. In July 2007, at 78,000 miles, while driving on local expressway car suddenly lost ability to drive in gear and I pulled over (luckily safe - traffic was moving at 60-70 mph). Engine ran but car would not go into gear. All signs pointed to major transmission problem. Car towed to transmission shop in york (nearest recommended shop) who confirmed transmission issue. Called Mini of towson (nearest dealer) for quote on replacing transmission - it was $7800! car was only worth $12,000-$13,000 at that time - repair was over 50% of car value. Local shop tried fix it with rebuilt transmission. Turned into 7 month nightmare as multiple rebuilt transmissions didn't work due to computer code issues, so car towed to Mini of towson twice to see if they could correct issues, but each time dealer only offered to fix with new transmission from them at $7800. Tried trading car to them for new Mini, but they only offered me $4000 for the car, saying their cost to fix was still $6000. Local shop finally gave up, refunding my deposit and returning car with rebuilt transmission that will only drives in low gear at 20 mph. Now have Mini in my garage (with balance on car loan) that should be worth $10,000 but is unusable. Mini is refusing to do anything about this design flaw (new cars have different transmission), which is unsafe at any speed, as they say. Netscape should order recall of these cars and repair at mine's cost. I have informed my congressman brother about this issue (he sits on house transportation committee) - he is awaiting word on how netscape and Mini respond to my complaint (obviously shared my many others). Thank you.

Purchased 2002 Mini Cooper in 3/03 at Mini sterling in va. Moved to PA, servicing car under warranty at the nearest dealership, otto's Mini in west chester (50 mi away). Minor issues corrected under warranty, which expired in late 2005. In July 2007, at 78,000 miles, while driving on local expressway car suddenly lost ability to drive in gear and I pulled over (luckily safe - traffic was moving at 60-70 mph). Engine ran but car would not go into gear. All signs pointed to major transmission problem. Car towed to transmission shop in york (nearest recommended shop) who confirmed transmission issue. Called Mini of towson (nearest dealer) for quote on replacing transmission - it was $7800! car was only worth $12,000-$13,000 at that time - repair was over 50% of car value. Local shop tried fix it with rebuilt transmission. Turned into 7 month nightmare as multiple rebuilt transmissions didn't work due to computer code issues, so car towed to Mini of towson twice to see if they could correct issues, but each time dealer only offered to fix with new transmission from them at $7800. Tried trading car to them for new Mini, but they only offered me $4000 for the car, saying their cost to fix was still $6000. Local shop finally gave up, refunding my deposit and returning car with rebuilt transmission that will only drives in low gear at 20 mph. Now have Mini in my garage (with balance on car loan) that should be worth $10,000 but is unusable. Mini is refusing to do anything about this design flaw (new cars have different transmission), which is unsafe at any speed, as they say. Ntsb should order recall of these cars and repair at Mini's cost. I have informed my congressman brother about this issue (he sits on house transpiration committee) - he is awaiting word on how ntsb and Mini respond to my complaint (obviously shared my many others). Thank you.