I have an 07 S with approximately 18k miles, and absolutely love the car. Especially with today's gas prices. But recently I have been experiencing some "quirks" in the automatic transmission. The car is at the dealer right now but they have never seen the problem.

In sport automatic mode "DS" (with the lever in DS, not the button engaged) the gear display will actually show the gear (1st) when I come to a stop. upon rollout... 5 mph or so, it will shift to 2nd and show it on the display. Then it will stay in 2nd until I MANUALLY change it to 3rd and so on.

In normal automatic mode "D"... in the afternoon when the car is parked in the sun... it will remain in automatic - but the display will show the gear (should be a "D"). Worst of all, it will shift up to 6th in short order. You know... 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 all when I am doing about 35 mph. If I shift it to manual, it continues the pattern. It will eventually go back to normal operation but not until I finish a 30 mile commute home. All I can do is get to the freeway and limp up to 65.

Also, in manual mode... if I shift into 2nd, and make a right turn, it shifts up to 3rd - doing about 2 grand. Always to the right. Sometimes to the left.

There are other issues as well but these are the most noticeable. Has anyone else experienced it? And If so, how was it corrected?

 

AFAICR, you are the first to report operational problems of any kind with the Aisin tranny on NAM. I may be wrong, of course, and have missed a thread.

I have 23K miles on mine, and no problems whatsoever with the AT.

 

I have not noticed this but I will keep an eye out and see if mine does it too.

 

News from the dealer... They have determined that it is the 'slip ring' in the steering wheel. I suppose that makes sense. The transmission seems fine (other than the fact that it shifts erratically). No odd noises, lurches, slips, etc. The trans receives inputs from the steering wheel paddles via the slip ring. So if there is a slip ring fault, the trans will get odd signals to shift.

They had to order the parts from overseas so I won't know definitively until next week.

 

It's fixed! It's fixed!!

Got the car back from the dealer on Friday. They replaced the slip ring and tested it over a couple of days... and it is perfect again. Kudos to Mike and the guys at Universal Mini for diagnosing the slip ring - of all things.

 

First time that I have also heard of any problems with the auto trans in the 2nd Gen but that is great news they found and fixed the problem with it.

 

I have had a few issues with the Auto trans. Sometimes it fails to go into reverse. It sits for 3 sec's and then moves (pads are not stuck to rotors)
Dealer said this is normal LOL not in a normal car!!! plus there are the lag/surge problems alot of them have.

 

I have also heard of a number of them, spoke to dealers Mechanic... I wanted a auto, but glad I went manual, however Ihope they get the issues fixed as I wouldlove one in a few years...

 

We've had no issues.

 

I had that happen and consider it absolutely normal. I don't have any surge problems.

 

My 07 S will downshift into 5th after approximately 30 miles of travel at 70 mph. I can feel the engine starting to bog down and feel resistance in the gas peddle just prior to it downshifting. It happens on totally flat highways, going downhill, no wind, etc.
The first time the dealer deemed that the transmission fluid level was low, the second time they said the fluid level was high. (they filled it)
I went to pick it up after the 2nd visit on June 30 after a 6 week visit. (it developed an engine error code while they had it and they had problems getting it resolved). They changed the engine oil, and drained some of the transmission fluid and claimed that was the fix for the downshifting.
Needless to say, on the way home from the dealer it started again. I immediately phoned the service tech and informed them that I was returning and to have someone available when I arrived to ride with me so that they could witness and acknowleged the problem, which they did and were puzzled.
I have just under 9,000 miles on the car and absolutely love it, when I have it to drive. To leave on a positive note, I have an '08 loaner that's getting a ton of miles put on it vs my '07.

 

I got a call from the dealer on Tuesday (07/29/08) and they have replaced the transmission, but it is still downshifting after it warms up.
They are now waiting on a new wiring harness. My Mini has been at the dealer since May 15, 2008!

 

Since May, 2008???? Seriously???
Time to pony up a new car if that's at all the case.

 

I agree with Grego. Just lemon law it. I know you love your car but thats just way too long to go without your new car.

 

Bruiser has no issues going into reverse. Never had surge or lag issues either. I hadn't read of these either.. what exactly do you mean by surge/lag? Are you referring to the hesitation when first starting out? Is this with the sport button in use or not?

 

The only "lag" type issues I have found are if I am on even a SLIGHT incline, the "hill holder" system kicks it and keeps it in place for 3 seconds or so. I thought it was a defect at first, but it's actually a very helpful feature!

 

AFAIK, Hill Assist is for MTs.

 

I've read multiple posts stating that both AT and MT MINIs are equipped with the hill holder feature, and I've verified that my AT Clubman S has it as well.

 

My dealer warned me of Auto problems before I bought my 08, I talk for hours with the service manager, and learned alot... Needless to say I drive a 6 speed

 

What are the surge and lag problems, and how would I know if I have them?

I've already had one AT-related problem fixed - see the 'Amber Gear icon...' thread in this forum. It's an issue with 2008 auto shifters that seems to mainly affect those built earlier this year.

 

Tues - Wiring harness replaced, issue not resolved

Wed - Regional Mini technical rep at the dealer comparing my Mini to another. (I have no clue what he was trying to find)
Fri - Regional Mini rep says to replace the radiator

At this rate I'll have a totally new car before long!

I wonder if I tell them that I think has something to do with the wheels if they'll put on some nicer ones? I never did like the ones that are on it.

 

My patience finally ran out last week. I called the manager of the Mini dealership that has been trying to correct what they claim is an overheating problem with my Mini. He and I agreed that if my car was not repaired by Wed (8-20-2008) that he’d initiate the paperwork to replace my Mini. They were waiting on another replacement transmission. The mfg. thought that they might of sent a faulty replacement. I agreed to allow them time to replace the transmission and see if the problem goes away.
Today I recieved a call from the manager giving me an update as to what they have done in the last week:
Radiator replaced

Water Pump replaced

Hoses replaced

ANOTHER new transmission installed

Mini has one last resort to try and fix my car........

a NEW engine

I agreed to allow them one more week to allow for shipping/installation of the new engine and next Monday morning (8-25-2008) a 2009 MCS with the same exact options that I currently have will be ordered to replace my '07 if it is still down.

Good Grief

 

OMG... You have been through hell and back with your car. I wish I could offer some words of wisdom, but I'm really just completely floored that you've been without your car for nearly three and a half months without a resolution to the issues.

My heart goes out to you. Keep us posted.

 

Ditto to John Burt.

 

I have a brand new 08 mini cabrio sidewalk automatic and have had a series of problems since picking it up in the middle of may. First day, the service engine light came on , and they reset the computer. A few weeks later, light comes on and the car is stuck in 2nd gear. The service rep says this is a safety mode. I also noticed the car really lurches hard when i put it into either drive or reverse. They replace a transmission fuse. Two weeks later, same light and same problem. Bringin it in tomorrow, but my gut tells me this will be a recurring problem. I am keeping copious records to make sure I have everything in order if I have to enact the lemon law in nyc. I am hoping we can get it resolved. NYC Mini has been very helpful, so I am giving them the benefit of the doubt.