I finally had the chance to take the MINI on some twisty hilly roads for the first time this past weekend. As anyone who has the r56 auto knows the shift points can be kind of pedestrian, so on hills it seemed to lag a bit. Downshifting manually helped but the auto goes back to full auto after a few seconds and you are left where you were. Using the Sport button was OK but the shifting still wouldn't be where I'd shift with a manual transmission on hills and left me kinda uninspired. The answer was to do full manual (which means Sport is engaged) and shift with the paddles. Now then it got interesting! What a completely different ride then when I first got to the hills. It's great that this transmission can be passive or aggressive depending on your mood.
I'm liking this!

 

+1 I love how I can change the way it drives with the push of a button or pulling the shifter to the left. Gives me options - I like options!

 

Yes, there is a lot to like about the auto trans. When I motor in the foothills and mountains, I'm always in the manual mode. When I'm running across Eastern Colorado, Kansas, OK, and Missouri on the interstate, the trans in D is the only way to run.

So far my MPG has been pretty much the same in either mode of driving, but I tend to be a fast but not aggressive acceleration type driver. I just get up to my cruising speed and hold for miles upon miles.

My OBD average is hold at 30.3, but I think it is time for a reset.

 

There are 8 different AT configurations:

1. D - full auto
2. DS via sport button - full auto
3. DS via shift - full auto
4. DS via shift w/sport - full auto
5. full time M via shift or paddles
6. full time M via shift or paddles plus sport
7. Temporary M via paddles from D
8. Temporary M via paddles from DS via sport button

I have yet to discover much difference between #2 and #4.

 

When on the freeway, I'll usually M/S into 6th due to the fact I am in sport mode and sport mode does not upshift from 5th to 6th. I like the tighter steering in sport mode. a lot of fun to drive!

 

But don't you get shifted back into 5th? Unless your in pure manual mode, shifting in regular auto is good for maybe down shifting then the transmission eventually puts me back where it wants. So to go up to 6th would work for about 10 seconds then I'd get shifted back into 5th. Are you in manual mode?

 

If in sport mode (sport button only, shifter stays in auto position) try using the paddles to get from 5th to 6th and see what happens. I predict it will stay in 6th. I'll test this out in a week or so when I go to SLO to pick up my daughter from school.

 

I did try this with the button on and it stayed in 6th for a short time then downshifted back to 5th.

 

It seems to me that #2 holds the revs just a bit longer giving a slightly more agressive, zippy response. haven't really checked it out though.

 

I tried this tonight on my way home on the freeway. If you put it into sport mode with the sport button and use the paddles to shift into 6th gear, it will automatically downshift to 5th after a few seconds. However, if you put it into sport mode by clicking your shift lever over to the left it will stay in 6th when using the paddle shifters. I droive for about 15 miles this way using the paddle shifters to shift up and down and whenever I put it into 6th gear it would stay there.

 

Good to know. I only tried it the first way which always brought me back down to 5th.

 

You were comparing modes #8 and #6, as I described them above.

 

hello,I'm driving a mini one R56,can u guys share how do i use the sports mode? cos when i shift it maually at the steering wheel it only last few secs and will go back to e "D" again.Mine is a auto car

 

From Drive "D", the stick may be moved back and forth between "D" and "+/-".

When you first move the stick from "D" to "+/-" the tach will display "DS" -- this is one of two sport modes. The other sport mode, the "sport button", may not be available on your vehicle.

From this sport mode, if you either move the stick forward/back, or move the paddles forward/back, your vehicle will enter manual-shift mode, and you may use the stick or paddles to shift.

 

I'm still experimenting but it looks like for me going into full manual makes driving in snowy weather a bit easier. It could be that I'm used to manual transmissions but full auto seems to give me less control over the car.

 

I have an auto but have only driven my MINI in full manual with sport mode only. Only used the full auto once one a long 3 hour road trip and just because I'd thought I'd try it out for the sake of gas mileage. Anyways, one thing you should be away off. If you're in 6th gear on a hill and decided you jam the gas for some reason, the kickdown will drop you down 3 gears. Just want to make sure you guys are aware of that and don't get shocked if you see your revs hitting near 6k rpm all of a sudden cause that torque steer will bite you in the behind if you're not expecting it. Even in full manual mode, if I drop the pedal to the metal in 5th or sixth, the car will shift automatically to third to get you that extra oommph. That was a shock the first time that happened to me. Might be okay on long stretches off road like the grapeine into LA but tight curvy roads..watch out.

 

That's interesting. I thought in full manual mode the kick down wouldn't work that way. So if you are in 6th and the kickdown takes you to 3rd, does it stay in 3rd after you let off on the pedal?