I was thinking of naming this the "Automatic Transmission Owners' Support Group" for all of the grief auto tranny owners get from our non-paddle-shifting friends. But hey, we know we don't need to justify our choice of transmission to anyone, so if you own a MINI with an automatic transmission -- CVT or Aisin, we won't discriminate -- stand up, be counted, and be proud!

'05 MCSa

 

05 MCSa here. Loving the auto. Means the GF can drive, and San Francisco is wayyyyy easier.

(FWIW, 8,000 miles after ownership and i have driven all of MAYBE 5 miles in "D" 99% is in "SD/M")

 

3rd one in...2010 MCSa

 

#4 '08 O2Blue MC, 24,444mi. as of this morning!! Last Year for Paddle Shifter's on an Auto MC.
Lovin' Every Minute of It!!

 

5! Rocking the CVT on a 2004 BRG.

 

I'll jump in... 2008 MC Clubbie w/ the rare paddle shifters (on the Justa Clubmen at least )

 

I'm in. 2005 MCSa. Just like Curious George, fiancee is happy in D and I can still have fun in SD/M and not lose my mind in NYC traffic.

 

2006 MCSa here. Just like Curious George and 4130, wife is happy to drive in D and I have the fun in SD/M mode.

 

Well I have nothing against the clutch crowd, and if the MINI auto was "D" only affair I would have gone that way. But SD/M gives me the best of both worlds. Flicking the gear shift back or forward, when playing boy racer in the twisties or stop light grand prix is so much fun and I'm mostly in sport/manual mode 90% of the time, but when lethargy or boring traffic subdue my normal aggressiveness it's nice to let "D" do it. Whats not to like about the automatic MINI Aisin transmission?

 

I don't think I will ever buy a manual, love my auto

 

Count me in! 2006 MCS here, and loving it! I haven't had any issues (don't use the paddles, either) so far, and she's been w/me almost four years (knock on chrome).

 

Im curious about paddle usage among us Auto owners. Who uses them regularly?

I know i use the shift lever 90% of the time, i only use the paddles when im in the twistys.

 

I've got the auto!! I love it. I never shift it myself though...I never really felt the need to.. Oh I've got an 09 MCS.

 

I'm not a paddle user. The stick feels more natural to me since it's always in the same place.

 

2006 MCS Cabrio and I use the paddles as much as possible, except in heavy traffic. Just added CAI and 15% pulley this afternoon.

 

2009 MC, so no paddles, and I haven't really used the manual mode yet. Could someone explain to me how to use it? My dad has a MCS with a manual transmission and I've driven that but I don't really get how to use the manual mode on mine.

 

I'm an AT user and damn proud of it! Sign me up to the club. In fact we have two! How 'bout that???
Love the choice in drive modes we get!

 

Not into shifting...that's why I got the Auto!! I have the seat moved pretty far back (long legs) and it just isn't comfortable to have to reach low and forward to shift...the Paddle Shifters are possessed, anway!! I can never remember which way to "Push"/"Pull".

 

3rd MINI but first auto,'07 R56 MC currently with with 91k trouble free miles almost always in manual mode

 

Sorry to see those paddles gone, love mine and maybe MINI will reconsider so I could get a Cabrio!

To use Manual Shift: while in Drive, move the shift lever to the left.

You are now in Manual mode (see "M/S" in Tach display), it will hold the gear it is in (within safety limits).

Move the shift lever back and it will shift up one gear or move it forward and it will shift to next lower gear. The Tach display shows the Gear number.

If you have the 'Sport' mode engaged, the shifts will be firmer and allows selection of sixth gear.

In Cruise Control, Manual Shift will avoid downshifts (or 'kick-down').

 

Wow; I've love the enthusiasm, folks!

Since Paul (aka BlimeyCabrio) hasn't deemed us worthy of his company yet (), I'll take the liberty of sharing this post from another thread:

Motor on!

 

So what are the best performance mods for a 2006 MCSa?

DIY possible?

 

Here's what we've got for a club "roster" so far:

1. TimL -- '05 MCS
2. Curious George -- '05 MCS
3. 10Zero -- '10 MCS
4. RJKimbell -- '03 MC
5. AggieMini11 -- '04 MC
6. Tall Mini -- '08 MC Clubman
7. 4130 -- '05 MCS
8. Ferroequine -- '06 MCS
9. BensMini -- '09 MC
10. morphix -- '06 MCS
11. VioletDC -- '06 MCS
12. MINIxB -- '09 MCS
13. MINI28741 -- '06 MCS Cabrio
14. lacynpiper -- '09 MC
15. SteelersFan -- '09 MCS
16. OXYBLUECOOP -- '07 MC
17. pilotart -- '08 MC
18. Prost -- '08 MCS Clubman
19. checkers -- '05 MCS

Breakdown by model:

R50_____ 2
R52_____ 0
R52S____ 1
R53_____ 7
R55_____ 1
R55S____ 1
R56_____ 4
R56S____ 3
R57_____ 0
R57S____ 0

Hmm.... Maybe I should put up a poll so we can see our club "garage" in graphic form.

 

A smaller SC pulley comes highly recommended for starters.

 

My 1977 Leyland Mini is an automatic too.