hello, my name is jorge. i've been reading these forums for a while now, since i bought my gf a 2005 mini cooper s cabrio automatic from my aunt. it has 40k miles on it. she loves it. a lot. im fixing little things here and there and have a few questions if you guys dont mind. thank you for any help you can give me

1) with the doors locked, i used to be able to open the lock by pulling the handle on the door once to unlock it and again to open it. the car doesn't do that anymore. why?

2) the convertible top has these latches that when lifted the top will open and give more access to the trunk. question is, when i look at the metal that holds the top in place, the " |_____| " where is seals to the bosy when closed, the metal on both sides is broken next to the hinges. why did this happen and has anyone had the same issue and what did you do about it.

3)the passenger airbag light doesn't turn off when theres a person sitting in the passenger seat. any thoughts?

4) i bought a couple things to get started on modding the car. i bought some spark plugs, a 15% pulley, a tensioner stop, the new drive belt. i'm looking at CAI and i'm thinking i can actually make something instead of buying it, so i'm gonna try that first. any thoughts or suggestions?

5) any preventative measures i should take? ive read about the power steering pump and the cvt (which i don't have phew) and the crank pulley ( which was changes before i bought it). words of advice?

6) i'm no stranger to modding cars ('03 mustang gt with all the <$1000 mods lol /cry), but this mini cooper will be the first car i mod with an automatic transmission. what worries me is that i've been looking all over the place and cant find any info on this transmission. what kind of power can it handle, are there any shift kits for it, any mods i can make to have the transmission hold its gear until I want it to shift, should i change the fluid in the transmission (read a topic on that recently). anyone have any experience here?

7) as far as suspension goes, this car has the factory sport kit. it rides nice and has a fair amount of grip, i was reading about rear sway bars and am thinking unless i auto-x this car, i wont ever need it for the street. meaning, i dont think ill ever turn the car hard enough to notice the under-steer in a street situation, although i do love oversteer, especially power on which will never happen with this mini ;( rear drive mini, yum

8) anything i'm missing? please comment here

thank you guys again. ive tried to find all the information i could before posting any questions but these are the ones i would like suggestions on and/or am not clear about. thanks again <3 jorge

 

hey guys back again. just finished making a spacer for my quick release quadrant for my stang (noisy throwout bearing thing).

about the mini, my main question is about the automatic transmission. how much power can it handle, is there a mod/kit/tune that will quicken/sharpen shifting and allow me to stay in gear without it shifting for me when i get close to the rev limiter? any help would be greatly appreciated. thanks.

 

The other forums will likely be more helpful on non-cabrio specific questions. I have been looking into this stuff as well and it seems that the stock tranny can handle some more power. The JCW option was available on the auto tranny cars with full warrantee so the engineers must believe it is ok.
You definitely want to change the fluid in it every 40k miles or so. Mini/BMW doesn't agree, but do it anyway.

The autobox has some known issues with the valve body and the case/spinning solenoids. Best not to abuse it too much.

Bad airbag sensors in the passenger seat are expensive to fix, like more than $1200 from what I have read.

 

Hey. Thanks for your reply. It is a cabrio, but you're right. I should post something in the r53 cuz its basically the same.
Ok so I'll live with the airbag thing. As far as the automatic issue, I would love to know if anyone has any experience or if anyone know about running or the tranny. Other cars have running you can perform for faster shifting,etc. I'll keep hoping someone out there knows something. Thanks.

 

To be honest with you, the automatic transmissions in the R53/R52/R50's are infamous for failing. I know of at least 3 or 4 people that all bought manuals because their automatics kept losing gears. It can probably handle all the mods you listed, but I would be careful with any more power than what you're planning. I believe that changing the fluid is a good idea no matter what, the only thing you have to lose is the cost of the tranny oil. As far as the automatic mods, they don't make very many, but I'm sure there is an ECU tuner/map out there that will let you control what RPM's it shifts at. Not so sure about holding the gears. Also, if you do go with a CAI, remember that it's different for the automatic. Concerning the cabrio latches, I've never had that problem, but if you take it to a MINI dealer (if there is one where you live, if not then BMW) they could tell you why or maybe fix it under warranty (just a guess). I would just search automatic tranny's up top and see what comes up. There is a lot of helpful stuff, it can just be hard t find.

 

The Aisin 6 speed auto transmission used in the Cooper S and all newer Coopers from 2007 on is not prone to failure, it's a very durable unit and will handle the output you're planning with the mods you've mentioned.

The CVT used in the non-S Coopers does not have a sterling reputation, but the Aisin is a good, reliable unit. No worries.....

 

+1 on the ASIN auto tranny having a good reputation for relalibility (much better than the cvt on the cooper). A fluid change would be good idea....
a quick search will yeald answers to your other questions!!
The door lock question...
I think from the way you decribed it, the issue is from a stretched cable...a new one can be installed, but the actuacator could be dammaged....but the cables are an easy swap, pretty cheap if i remember right.
The bigger rear swaybar is the second best bang for the buck item after the pulley....i chose mild, bit you can get a BIG rear bar, and go neutral on steering if you desire....camber plates if you are a performance minded driver might be a better first step since if done will result in needed a small rear bar...

 

I have a 2005 MCS auto with numerous engine and suspension mods (see sig below). A tuner was able to change my shift points by increasing the RPMs at which it shifts in sports mode. Develop a plan on what you want added in terms of power/engine mods, then get everything tied together with the tune. Have fun and enjoy the ride.

 

Never thought there would be a point to do mods on an automatic Mini. Seems like there is. Big difference in performance?

 

@ ZippyNH "+1 on the ASIN auto tranny having a good reputation for relalibility (much better than the cvt on the cooper)."

I say BS! I have an '06 S R52 and it has been gently driven by my wife and we have owned it since new. The transmission has failed 56K. I am now stuck with a worthless piece of junk. The dealer wants $1200.00+ for a new valve body. What a POS!

Any ideas on where to get a new valve body for less $$$$$ ?

 

Yes, try RevMax, there is a big thread on the bad valve bodies in this tranny. Pretty much all of them are bad, not just MINI but VW with the same Aisin unit too.
$1200 including labour and fluids would be OK, but you can get the VB part for quite a bit less than that.

 

Did you ever change the fluid?