R50/53 A few Qs on my R53...

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Jan 28, 2008 | 07:35 AM

#26

Suzanne's Chili Red S

4th Gear

Joined: Mar 2006

Posts: 564

Likes: 0

From: Barnwell, SC

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcsmini

While I think most people on this site are too "PC" to say it, I believe the automatic transmission on any small car is weak to say the least. I haven't even earned a right to comment on Minis because I don't own one yet. However, from what I've read the auto transmission is nothing but trouble. I think at least 90% of the membership here would agree. Weather anyone else will come out and say it is yet to be seen.

When you say "trouble" please make sure you're talking about the CVT, which has been trouble prone and installed in Mini Coopers (non - S version). The Aisin 6 speed auto in the MCS has been shown to be very reliable, and when driven in the sport mode can be "almost" as fun as driving a manual!

Jan 28, 2008 | 05:30 PM

#27

dcsmini

1st Gear

Joined: Jan 2008

Posts: 20

Likes: 0

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suzanne's Chili Red S

You're right it was the CVT that I had read so much about being trouble. Sorry for my generalization. I'm still trying to learn about the Minis.

Jan 28, 2008 | 08:19 PM

#28

Edge

AdMINIstrator

Joined: Feb 2005

Posts: 5,975

Likes: 0

From: Annandale, VA (near Wash. DC)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ylwjkt

The same engine with no fancy multi-clutches! In fact, Car and Driver (January 2007) wrote: " Despite the same 260 ponies, when equipped with a manual transmission the Solstice GXP and Sky Red Line are almost a half-second slower to 60 mph than their automatic counterparts".

Hmm - you're going to call this "making excuses" (and you'd be valid in saying so), but it does sound to me like Solstice and Sky (both near-identical cars) are set way too conservative in the gearing for their manual transmissions.