I just bought a '10 standard MINI automatic. There seems to be a little delay in shifting that makes it feel sluggish. I would prefer a manual anyway but there wasn't one locally in my price range. I could have one transferred to my my area for a little more money which I'm considering but have heard about problems with clutch wear in MINIs.

I have 4 days to decide if I keep the auto I just bought or spend more to change it out for a manual.

Anyone opinions?

Thanks!

 

Have you tried engaging the "sport" mode to see if it improves the shift. My 2010 is a manual but automatic loaners I have driven seem to shift crisply especially when "sport" is engaged.

 

Thanks ammodave! I'll check it out.

Do you love your manual? Any problems?

 

LOOOOOVE my manual. I think the MINI deserves to be rowed. I've driven several auto MINI's and they're just....not right. For other bigger cars and such, I can see/live with an auto, but the MINI, it's so nimble the manual adds to the excitement.

 

What delay in shifting are you referring to? I know in my MINI there's a rev hang behavior after taking off the throttle where the revs won't drop for a second or two.

I love my manual MINI and wouldn't have it any other way!

 

I don't know enough about cars to tell you specifics on the shifting. It just doesn't feel right to me. Not as fun as I expected.

It may be that I simply prefer the experience of manual driving.

Still wondering if there are any drawbacks to the manual?

 

Surely the manual will add to the fun factor! It's purely personal. As for clutch wear concerns, you should be able to have the condition checked. If you go stick, there are ways of shifting up and down that will put little wear on the clutch so it should never need replacing. Mainly, revving when downshifting... look on YOUTUBE for 'double clutching'. And of course not riding the clutch. I never drove the automatic so have no feedback there. By the way, you have a lot more risk of needing a tranny job in automatic if the car was abused before you bought it. THAT is expensive. If you test drive a manual, make sure it downshifts into lower gears smoothly. Undue 'notchiness' is not a good sign. . If you are feeling uncomfortable with the current shifting in the automatic, drive another one to see if it is unusual. Your gut is probably right! Whatever you do, enjoy! and be sure to refresh the trans fluid soon as you get it, and all the fluids for that matter...unless you know it was recently done. I wouldn't go by the intervals recommended my MINI. They are often far too long for sensible maintenance. I'd also buy a car only if proper service was performed , documented. If it was me and you're buying from a dealer, I'd only buy one with some warranty remaining and read the fine print if it's not a factory certified warranty, absolutely. They can be shifty! Private buyer or dealer, I'd sure have the car checked out thoroughly by a qualified tech who is familiar with MINI. Afterall, the time and few dollars spent now will dictate how you enjoy and what you spend in the future so only buy one you really love. Good luck!

PS if anyone is interested... my ryde is for sale!
http://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/de...9928/overview/
Not for the faint of heart! it's loud and sounds awesome. Never tracked , but ready!

 

Do a YouTube search for "rev matching" or "heel-toe shifting". Modern manual transmissions have synchros, so there is no need for double-clutching. The interweb is full of double-clutching "masters". The reality is that even if you are horrible at the technique, the synchromesh is going to do the work for you. So you will never even know if you are screwing it up.

Just rev match on downshifts -- clutch in, neutral, blip the loud pedal to bring up the RPMs, select lower gear, clutch out.

 

If you have to ask, you already know the answer - you need a manual.

MINI's Aisin automatic transmission is very good, but on an underpowered Justa car, it will make it that much more challenging to stay in the power band.

The primary reason to have an auto is if you are commuting in a city stop/go traffic, or need to share the car with a SOW.

a

'08 MCS - auto, with many mods.

 

Test driving another MINI with an automatic is a good idea. My automatic MINI doesn't have any noticeable delay when shifting. Heck, it shifts faster than I could shift a manual!

Dave

 

+1

 

I can tell you I can't "out-shift" the auto in Sport mode...
The paddles give you all the joy of a manual without the work!

 

I track my auto tranny and it does just fine w/ manual shifting

 

re rev matching


you know what? that's perfectly fine...indeed it's a touch easier to do the same process without bringing the clutch in /out an extra time, a la rev matching only.

Double clutching is the ultimate in preserving all moving parts involved. Even if not 'necessary'.

I find it far more fun, smoother, no work at all for the synchros...and uhh, way cooler if ya want to 'strut your stuff' when another gearhead is in the car.
Most people don't know how or don't bother.

btw, if you have car with notchy synchros , or an earlier car like a Classic MINI that grinds (loudly) when going into second while shifting both up and down (ouch!), try double clutching. Transmission problem gone.

Another solution I came across some time ago was changing to Redline Trans fluid. I bought a Plymouth Laser from a roommate and the synchros were very notchy. It blew my mind when I replaced the fluid with REDLINE... the synchros felt like the car was just broken in.


I've owned about 18 bimmers and mini combined and the only one I didn't like at all was guess what, an automatic. zzzzzzzzzz