Ok I've been driving it for a while after I've done some reading and with some of your answer I can pin point better what's going on:

car has 85k miles

1) the cvt stays on the SD mode, it doesn't switch back to D mode.

2) If I use the Manual mode, it won't switch back to D or SD unless I switch the car off and then it will reset it self to SD.

3) If I use reverse, the SD mode switches to manual even if I'm not on Manual mode, what I mean is: The lever is in the Automatic mode, but the CVT behaves as if it was on Manual.

On Automatic mode at 70mph my rpm is 3500

On Manual Mode (in 6 gear) at 70mph my rpm is 3200

any comments?

the mini is all I got... or I would of set it on fire already... I need it to work or at least not get worse...

duane315: thanks... I'll have to see how I switched it to sport mode if indeed I did... or the car as to do it...

I beleive DR_Mini is refering to the the Filter in the transmission and the valve body in the transmission.  CVT transmissions do have a "sport" mode which when in sport mode will display "SD".

the engine oil filter I assume. Thanks Dr.

Your dealer is a moron, by disconeccting the battery you have cleared the computer of the learned shift points which usually throws it into default mode which will display on your shift position indicator. Read any of the online blogs about how to relearn your transmission how to shift again. A fairly long procedure. Not a fan of CVT. Make sure you have the filter changed as I have found 4 defective ones on the early cars leading to metal shavings getting into the valve body and causing BMW to diagnose the tans as junk. Bad for the owners who traded them in, good for me as I bought them cleaned the valve body and fixed the problem. BMW's fix for the CVT is a total replacement of the trans, they don't fix anything on it.....

Ok then... why do you think the display on the dash reads "5D"? (or maybe it's "SD") every few months it goes back to "D"

The adaptation values may get affected, but the car will simply re-learn after a battery replacement.

Thank you... although Mini Corsa in No. Ho. has mentioned that the wrong or an old battery could cause the transmission to need to be reset.

again. thanks

Replacing the car battery should'nt have any effect on the transmission.  All batteries run a nominal 12V.  As long as the load rating on the battery is correct, and it 'physically' fits in the battery box, you should be okay.

As for the cvt tranny flush - it is a fairly long process - too long to list here.  I would recommend you get a copy of the Bentley manual for this.  It is recommended the tranny fluid be flushed every 30k miles.

How do I change/flush the automatic transmission fluid from the R50?

with 85k miles I'm not having problems except when I put the car in Drive, on the display it reads "5D" and not "D", I did make the mistake and purchased a battery when the original died at some shop and didn't know that the voltage if it is not correct can cause problems.

What battery do I need to get? Dealer only?

Thanks

V2