Yes, others I've spoke to agree with you. One suggests not to leave it in that mode of brake and gas pedal too long. Also I was told this builds up boost as well so sounds like the way to go!

 

eh dont listen to them lol. it does build boost as your waiting to launch which is something you cannot do with the manual mini. im not saying that the auto is more fun than the manual mini when your driving on an actual road course but i use mine to drag race(not too often though) so im happy with my auto mini

 

I researched that a lot with my 3 series.
Lifetime is not lifetime.

I still get the bavarian autosport magazine now and then.
They recommend trans service at 50 or 60k (forget).

I thinking to do mine basically when the car is out of warrenty.

12k miles with auto not a single glitch.

 

Basically, put your left foot on the brake...with your right foot carefully bring the rpms to 2000 (per this thread) what this does is loads the motor hence building boost...then when you are ready to launch simply lift the left foot as you push down the right foot and bingo...instant 6.2 0-60 :-)I am amazed at how quickly, smoothly the auto shifts...that's what sold me is the fact that the car is always in the right gear. Otherwise, hands down I would have gone with a 6-speed. Either way in my opinion you cannot go wrong

 

I have over 30,000 miles on my Aisin, and no problems (knock on wood). I drive almost exclusively in Manual mode, and use 2nd for normal starts or 1st for more authoritative starts. I have to be careful starting in first though cause the torque will break the tires loose, and the DSC kicks in. Not so much fun then.

 

I'm at 31k after 8 months using manual mode 98% of the time with no problems.

 

I have owned two steptronic bimmers and I could not get over the lifetime fluid concept. On one of them I changed the fluid at home myself for peace of mind but on the other ( my wife's) I have not changed it. the car is running as good as new at 70K + miles currently. it has been driven in manual mode almost never as my wife is not a enthusiastic driver. Because I was so concerned about the lifetime tranny fluid and the horror stories of some people, I decided that I needed a stick shift for my next car and that is why I bought a manual MCS. I thank BMW for the cause because I really enjoy the 6 speed manual. I love it.

 

Personally I've found more stories with the Manual having issues, specifically the clutch wearing out and grinding and/or squeals downshifting from 3-2. I've read where a few auto owners had needed software updates for stalling in their '07 but that appears to have fixed their issues.

I purchased the auto because I like to be able to occassionally drive with a drink and not have to set it down every time I need to shift gears. I like having a sports car with dual personality, sporty and luxury. I enjoy manually shifting the automatic via the paddles and/or the stick and the sport button option to give me agressive shift points and keeping me at higher revs for instant power when desired. I like being able to be in "D" and still quickly downshift for either engine braking or being ready with a more agressive gear if I see the need coming.

The one thing I do regret is the lack of an LSD option with automatics, but since I don't track this car I probably wouldn't notice it whether I had it or not as I have yet to spin my inside tire in a tight turn.

 

I'm beginning to agree with you. I'm not usually a big fan of automatics, but it's got to be better than their crappy manuals. Had an 06 MCS clutch replaced at 12,000 miles and destined for another one (16,000 miles). And now our 08 clutch (1500 miles) is getting sloppier and noisier. C'mon - I've never had any other clutch behave this consistently bad. POS. Unreal. Greg

quote=boostednorm;2256432]Personally I've found more stories with the Manual having issues, specifically the clutch wearing out and grinding and/or squeals downshifting from 3-2. I've read where a few auto owners had needed software updates for stalling in their '07 but that appears to have fixed their issues.

I purchased the auto because I like to be able to occassionally drive with a drink and not have to set it down every time I need to shift gears. I like having a sports car with dual personality, sporty and luxury. I enjoy manually shifting the automatic via the paddles and/or the stick and the sport button option to give me agressive shift points and keeping me at higher revs for instant power when desired. I like being able to be in "D" and still quickly downshift for either engine braking or being ready with a more agressive gear if I see the need coming.

The one thing I do regret is the lack of an LSD option with automatics, but since I don't track this car I probably wouldn't notice it whether I had it or not as I have yet to spin my inside tire in a tight turn.[/quote]

 

Driving a new Clubman MC automatic. Question 1: do you any of you notice a high pitched whistling sound? I've been told it's "normal" to the 2nd generation...I hear it when the right hand side window is down an inch or all the way - and hear it on the highway and at slow speeds - and less loudly while in neutral in the driveway...as the rpms go higher it increases.

Question 2: While idling, does your engine shake? We were checking the coolant level this morning (it's a hair above Minimum when the engine is cold) and then started running it...to see if we could figure out where the whistling is coming from...and my huband commented on the shaking of the engine and thinks it doesn't seem "normal".

Hope to hear back some comforting answers.

 

I haven't had any problems with my manual (knock on wood) but have considered trading in my car for an automatic just for the convenience of an auto when dealing with traffic, wanting to drink a soda or whatever while driving and talking on the phone while driving. Of course every time I decide to drive down to Mini to see about trading, I have so much fun with my stick I just turn back home with a big smile on my face...

Update... I did end up trading my car for an automatic, love it!

 

Just a note here to add that that "whistle" was as we began to expect - a loose mirror cap on the passenger's side. True, the SA didn't believe me but I made him go for a test drive...and finally they fixed it, now I can relax and enjoy having the windows down.

Having had the CVT previously, I must say that this "new" automatic is fantastic. Took it on a serious MINI run event in June and kept up with the best of them up some big hills, around corners, etc. with the air conditioning on and never once felt any weakness in the car. This is a huge change from the MINI CVT.

 

Transmission fluid can be changed. Dealer says 100k but I wouldn't wait that long. The transmission shop which is rebuilding mine recommends to do it every year or 24k. I have 102k on mine 05 MCSA. trans started acting up at 95k. Almost every part is being being replaced. The fluid is very expensive to do but so is rebuilding the trans.

 

I'd REALLY like to hear more about your rebuild - symptoms you were experiencing, state of the tranny just before the rebuild (still working?), shop that's doing it, and approximate cost... This is the first rebuild I've heard of... figured it was inevitable that some shop would step up to do it, given the popularity of the tranny in VWs.

Edit: Disregard - saw your other post on this. Thx.

 

of course they do. it's a money-maker for them--drain, flush, refill. To do this every 24K is like changing synthetic oil every 3K miles, it's overkill, esp. under normal driving conditions.

Now, if U tracked it every weekend I could see the logic in frequent drain/flush/refills, but under normal? Overkill.

 

Yes, the MINI owners manual recommends the change at 100k miles. I will probably do 60k on mine.

The odd thing is the owners manual claims it is lifetime COOLANT. That should be changed in my opinion. Not sure how how often though, every two years for standard coolant, I think 100k would be a good spot.

 

I see your point but you didn't see the damage done by waiting. 24k in 100 degree weather most of the summer is something to consider to. I run my car hard I'm just glad it lasted as long as it did.

 

so what kind of standing 1/4 mile times have U pulled? I managed a best of 14.39 @ 99mph last spring, but then I have the JCW tune kit.

Did it in D, Sport on, DSC off, and let that bugger shift on it's own, while keeping the pedal to the metal, starting with left foot on brake. Wow.

also, Ive never noticed the lack of a LSD at the track with my 09 auto, like I really did with my manual 05 MCS w/o the LSD.

(Blimey Yes I think "neutral-drops" would be a bad idea for a torquey FWD car)

 

38,600 miles on my Auto... it's the finest automatic I've driven! Though the only cars I've driven before this was a 2001 Toyota Echo and a 1992 Mazda Protege....

No issues thus far with the transmission. It is exceptionally easy to get fast times especially when combined with a good set of tires. I'm running Dunlop Direzza Sport S1 Star Spec in 215/45/17 variety