I used to own a non-S with a CVT. Sold that several years ago, but now I want to get another one.

But this time I want an S with the auto trans.

What are your experiences with power? Does it come with paddle shifters like the cvt did? How is it generally? TIA.

 

I have an '06 MCS with CVT. Yes, it has paddle shifters and they are great. Smooth, convenient, fun to use, simple transition between auto and paddle. The power is great! No worries there. I am often in excess of the speed limit before I even merge into a travel lane from the on-ramp. The sensation when coming to a stop when I have mine in "drive" - meaning that I am not using the paddle shifters - is so cool. The car down shifts just as you would if you were driving a manual or using the paddles and actually down shifting the car. Unlike most automatics that just slow down and coast to a stop while you depress the breaks. Sometimes it can be a bit abrupt if coming to a stop down a steep hill. It feels like you down shifted to a gear that is too low for the speed of travel. That is the only downside I have run into. And, you could control that by using the paddles to downshift in that scenario. I love having the option of just getting in and pressing the gas peddle - easy for stop & go traffic, easy when you have a coffee, or if you are just feeling a little lazy. Then on the days when I really want to DRIVE I can use the paddles. Highly recommend the MCS w/CVT.

 

Thank you for the reply. But I had the cvt and didn't like it. It was cool, but did not like the constant searching and rev jumping. I really would like feedback on the normal auto trans please.

 

The Cooper S has an automatic trans yes... But its not a CVT trans.

 

My wife's MINI S is an 07 automatic and I've never driven an automatic of any previous year. I personally prefer standard, but I've got to say... for an automatic it's pretty nice. It does have paddle shifts and it's taken some time for me to adjust from stick to paddles (it's unnatural to me). The gear shifts are quick and exact. In sport mode, it stretches the RPMs in each gear and down shifts more often while you're slowing down. There's a paddle shift on either side of the stearing and they each shift up and down. So no matter where you're hands are in a turn, you have a paddle nearby. I'm not sure, but I think the autos are even faster than the manuals.

 

The '05 and '06 Cooper S has a 6 speed auto transmission, not a CVT. My wife's '05 MCSa has the 6 speed and she loves it. It does have the paddle shifters on the wheel.

 

Mine is just fine. I believe they call it a steptronic transmission with paddle shifters. I perfer the automatic. The only draw back is the loss of HP compared to the 6 speed, but with a few add on's it's more of a sleeper.

 

All I know is that Mini and BMW call their Mini Auto transmition a CVT, and that made me think all the time that my MCS 06 is a CVT. So how do you know if your MCS is a CVT or normal automatic? I've the one that was described by some of you: There's a sport mode and two shifting buttons on the right and left of the steering wheel (F1 control as called by Mini). Please clarify.

 

The MCS six speed auto has a conventional torque converter unlike a CVT. Entirely different animals. In sport mode the auto six speed is fun!

 

I got the auto so my hubby with medical issues could drive occasionally . I thought I was compromising - but I have to admit I love the auto.

Except for the left foot dance you can drive pretty much like a manual getting the revs over 7k or you can be lazy. The best is being able to shift with the paddles on the corners and hang on with both hands when the torque steer grabs you

 

I have an 05 MCS auto. It has the paddle shifters, and is not CVT. I have driven sporty cars with stick almost exclusively for the last 40+ years. I find the Auto with the paddles quite acceptible. There are a few cases where it won't do what is asked, but it is probably making the best choice.

I also test drove the 07 auot, and found it even better. More precise shifting and quicker responses.

 

A couple of weeks ago I took my '05 MC in for some routine maintenance, and the dealer gave me a loaner '06 Purple Haze MCSCa to drive for the day. This was my first experience with the supercharged engine and with MINI's auto tranny.

I quickly found myself somewhat disappointed with the auto transmission when allowed to operate to its own devices. I always felt like I was in too high a gear and that the MINI was lugging, unless I put my foot into it enough to force a downshift. Too hard to drive at a steady pace in this manner.

It didn't take long for me to transition exclusively over to using the paddle shifters. In this mode, the MINI was a much more satisfying drive and, in fact, I felt like I could accelerate even more efficiently thru the gears than the manual-5. Downshifting took some trial and error, and even after driving the car around for the day I didn't feel like I had it fully mastered. You definitely need to be careful about downshifting too soon to the lowest gears with any speed on. Overall, I felt like the paddle shifters required more attentiveness for efficient shifting but that's probably due mostly to the fact that I'm used to the manual and had no prior experience with the paddles.

(As a slight OT aside, once it got wrapped up the acceleration from the "S" engine was an intoxicating kick in the pants to this MC guy! That said, the lag at low RPM was more noticeable than I had expected. I'll take my Tritec any day for accelerating from low RPMs.)

I'll save my Cabrio observations for another day/thread, other than to question why Motorwerks in Minneapolis would have so many of them in their inventory this time of the year.

 

The difference between CVT and normal automatic is fairly obvious. The CVT doesn't shift. You won't feel the slight pauses that you do when accelerating in an automatic. Even though today's modern automatic's are very smooth, you can still feel it shifting through the gears. On the other hand, the CVT is just seamless. I've been driving a CVT Cooper for a few days while my Manual S is in the shop. I think the feeling of the CVT is kinda neat in that it doesn't produce any sensations of shifting, just constant power delivery.

 

I agree with you, I had the same feeling till I installed the JCW Upgrade kit on my stock MCS. The kit includes the Cold Air Intake, 4 Fuel Injectors and ECU software upgrade. Now, the car roars more, the shifting is much neater and sporty. I recommend this cheap and effective upgrade for all MCS.

 

I understand your point completely. If we apply your words on my Mini then it's not CVT, it's normal automatic. On the other hand, BMW calls it CVT, which one is right? I do feel the RPM pauses between shifting...

 

If power handling ability (from mods you want to make) is your concern, the Aisin-Warner transmission (true torque-converter automatic transmission) can handle around 236 ft/lbs. The only challenge posed by the transmission is the difficulty of exchanging old transmission fluid for new (there is no traditional transmission cooler where lines can be disconnected and the fluid replacement equipment connected). I have adopted the model of draining and refilling the transmission fluid pan every 10,000 miles. It is not the best approach, but it is better than doing nothing and waiting for the transmission to fail.

 

So you did the JCW Upgrade to your MCS automatic?

 

as stated above, 05-06 MCSa will come with a conventional Aisin (toyota owned) 6-speed automatic transmissions, not CVTs.

I've owned my car for about a week now, and I have mixed feelings about this one. First, the transmission is pretty dim-witted. It's shifts are dim-witted, and sometimes it frustrates me. Sure, you can always pop that into manual mode and change it yourself but unlike my other car, 2001 BMW 325ci's Getrag unit, it is definitely a step down.

Plus, I think manual transmissions suit the characterics of the MINI better than auto trans.

It's liveable and I am satisfied with it, but it does frustrate you sometimes is my final verdict.

 

Yeah, I did this upgrade on my MCSa. And it's . Try it!!!

 

02-06 MC automatics are CVT
02-04 MCS automatics are CVT
05-06 MCS automatics are the Aisin 6speed autos.
07-08 MC and MCS automatics are the Aisin 6speed autos.