Just got my 2012 mini cooper base with automatic transmission 3 weeks ago. Had been experiencing a very harsh downshifting when slowing down the down to a stop sign with/without breaking. Even without breaking, when the car slowing down by itself, it feels like I pushed on the break pedal suddenly when the car shift from 3rd to 2nd, from 2nd to 1st. And the technometer show the engine speed jumps.

I am wondering if this is common since I have never drived a Mini before and my last car didn't have the same problem. Please let me know if I should take my car back to the dealer. THX

 

sorry, been driving stick. can't help :-)

 

Doesn't sound right. I would pop into your dealership and get it checked out, you should be covered under warranty if the car is new.

 

What did you drive before? The reason I ask is because I have an auto and the downshift in the Mini Auto is designed to be more drama than most cars. So we feel like we are having fun, even if we do have an automatic (I had to get mine auto, bit did not want it that way)

Take it out of sport and see how much of a change, because with sport on the downshift can be a shock at first.

 

I agree with B & S. If you are in Sport mode, it will be a little disconcerting at first. It is quite noticeable when coming to a stop.

It really shouldn't be that noticeable if you aren't in Sport. So if that's the case and it is still feeling "jerky", then I would definitely visit the dealer soon.

 

Yes it is in the Normal mode. I did switch between the sport and normal mode, it does the same thing.

 

Make an appt with your local dealer and bring it in. Have one of them drive with you to demonstrate the problem.

 

It's not a problem. It's just how the auto in a MINI MCS behaves. I've driven a few auto equipped loaners while my MINI was in for warranty work.

 

Just spoke to the service department. They told me it is completely normal for the 2012 mini with auto trans. Can anyone confirm that?

 

I have a 2011 MCS auto and like B&S says the MINI auto is designed with a little bit of "drama" intentionally...I actually like the "drama"...if you are still unsure maybe go drive another new MINI at your dealer and see if the auto is the same feeling. And yes sport mode does magnify the downshift feel.

 

lol "Technometer"
Sorry I can't help. But I love your term.
The correct word is 'Tachometer' (tahk-om-et-er) or Tach for short. Do not take your car to a mechanic and call it a technometer because they will take every penny you have telling you that you're "johnson rod was out of spec."

Two of my friends drove Dodge Neons and their RPM gauge would bounce back and forth to the beat of the music, wish I had the sense to call it a techno-meter back then lol.