Greymini, I just posted this in another thread but your issue sounds exactly like mine. It makes me crazy!

So it appears that most of you in this thread see this problem decreasing as time goes on. I have an '09 MCS that I picked up in October and it has done this "lunge" into first gear from the moment I drove off the lot. Sometimes, it is super noticeable, like to the point where if my foot was not on the brake firmly enough, I think I would run into the car in front of me, and sometimes it is as smooth as silk rolling to a stop. I test drove several cars and have already had a loaner, none of which had the problem. I have had the car in service for it and though the tech. could feel it, they had no explanation or solve. I personally do not think it is right and definitely do not feel this lack of "polish" should occur on a BMW product but I have been disapointed with high-end cars before... It is back in tomorrow for a speaker upgrade as well as this problem again (and a shaky idle) so was curious to see if I could aid the techs in a solve.

What to do?

 

I have an 09S and continue to have the surge-at-stop issue described in this thread.
I've also driven two different 'loaner' MINIs, one an S, one non-S. The non-S did NOT do the surge. The loaner S did, and it was a brand new car, <10 miles on it.
I think it's the torque converter when the transmission grabs first in non-Sport mode. When in Sport mode, I don't notice the surge - since the tranny is not downshifting to 1st, it makes sense.
I've also noticed the surge is much less noticeable when the Air Conditioning compressor is not on-line.
Personally, I've gotten completely used to this minor quirk.

 

My 09 MC has the same feel. I've asked everyone I can about it because it bugs me, too. Everyone says the same thing -- its normal, use the "S" mode to avoid it. That works, but it still bugs me to have drivability issues with a sophistocated automobile.

The one other thing that I'd add to stir the pot a bit is that I had a 2010 loaner a few weeks back. It didn't do it.

I asked some folks here in another thread about the difference between the 09 and the '10 and most said there is no difference. I still suspect that there is some sort of subtle mapping difference in the engine/transmission management system but it most not be something that can be retrofitted.

But you do get used to it, and I believe it does sorta diminish as the miles go by (I'm a bit over 6K).

 

My 2010 that I drove off the lot less than 24 hours ago does this. I contributed it to coming from a CVT, where there is no gear change

 

I took my 09 MC s in for service on Friday for service and told the service rep that there is a surge when you brake. They came back and said they couldn't find anything...so I did a test drive with the tech to show him the engine/trans surge that happening when you brake. He then agreed there's a power surge when its in D not sport not manual shift.

He tried to tell me there's a fuel return system in the Mini's that could be adding back pressure to the engine causing the surge. The VW dealer tried to blame that on me once....VW had to pay $6000 in engine repairs for carbon build up in the engine. (which was traded in for the current mini) I only used 91 octane gas in both cars.

Its gone back in this morning to have them look again...the girl called me from mini saying they havn't found anyhting yet...but their computer is down so they can't check the car software. Both the tech and shop foreman have looked at it thus far.

We'll see what Tuesday brings. I'm in a non S loaner...no surge.

Side note...the High Pressure fuel pump, fuel line, and fuel rails where replaced a few months back...but this has been happening with both pumps now.

 

This is disconcerting. My brank new MCSa JCW Stage 1, with 140 miles on the clock, does this exact same thing. I noticed it several times today. When you're coming to a stop, the car will surge forward a bit as the revs spike a bit.

Interesting enough, the car also has surging phenomenon when you start the car when it's been sitting hot in hot weather. Say you drive the car for while. You stop, run a short errand and then come back to the car and restart. Hit the start button and watch the revs spike up as it starts and then you see the tach needle drop VERY low. Sometimes the revs will bump back up. Other times needle will just drop to zero as the car stalls.

Seeing these posts makes me wonder if there something similiar to "low idle" in cars of yesterday. If the low idle was set too low, the car would stall. And then there was also the vapor lock problem.

also check this thread out on JCW kits and stalling: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-at-start.html

 

Reading the above postings, I would not exactly call what I experience a surge but my auto does seem to have a slight uptake right before coming to a stop. I would say it is not any big deal. overall, I love the auto transmission with paddles and manual shifting mode and 6 gears. This is a great improvement over auto transmissions in the past. One thing, going back to the original posting, I recall having an Acura Integra that had a free-wheeling condition. When I would see a red stoplight up ahead and would start coasting/light braking as I was approaching, if the light turned green and i then accelerated, the auto tran would seem to rev outside a gear before engaging. The transmission never gave me any trouble other than this peculiar characteristic. It would also have this condition which weem to happen frequently when i would approach an intersection closer to my house and I would seem to always approach that intersection coasting and then accelerating after the turn. I noticed these characteristics soon afetr I had bought the Integra new from the dealer and so I brought it back and talked to the sales guy since I had not yet been into service yet. He knew exactly what i was talking about and duplicated the condition when we wnet for a test drive. he explained that the way that transmission was set up, when coasting, it free-wheels outside a gear and then re-engages when giving it some gas. Okay...I now had an explanation ! The Integra lasted me many miles having it about 10 years and about 120K miles.

The Prelude I had next did not have that issue. The MINI, I would say also does not have that condition, It has it's own set of characteristics and that's about it. I would say, overall, I am very satisfied with the auto tran in the MINI.

 

Just read last night over on Motoring File, the new engined Minis this fall also get a slight auto tranny change...something very similar to this. A free wheeling disengagement, but I think it's when the brake pedal is engaged.

 

Mini called back today....the computer that programs the car has been down...so no luck fixing it. They did say they have another customer in with the same issue...but until the computer is back up...they're stuck.

Unrelated...there's the video of the fuel pump dying http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CkJ9-8k0Fc enjoy

 

update: it took a while but dealer was finally able to replicate the hot start stall. Now they've got to figure out what's causing it and then fix it. So I'm driving a loaner right now - a MCa Convertible.

 

Finally: Got the car back Friday morning. They got the software in the car updated...and the auto trans surge seems to be better. I still get a slight yoyo effect with the engine revs....but no major surge.

Took it out for some spirited motoring on the Ortega highway in Southern California http://tinyurl.com/267rhr2 and it drove great.

When I picked up the car...there where now 2 other cars with the same issue at the dealer. So it does seems to be an issue mini/bmw is looking at.

 

Greymini - mine does the same thing. Mine is a 2010 Cooper S model and at 500 miles I took it in for this issue, they couldnt find anything so suggested to see if it improved with use. Just taken it back in this week with 4600 miles on the clock.
I have 2 issues - one with starting up, the accelerator appears to do very little, then a LOT! I look like a learner driver at lights! Then at stop I have the same surge - and it really does move forward, its not just an enginge sound.
They found nothing mechanically wrong but it is a known issue and apparently they are working on a fix in the software at BMW right now. I've been told to take it back in January when hopefully the software update will be out.
Frustrating thing is the loaner they gave me was a Convertible Cooper S and it drove like a dream, not a dodgy accelerator or surge in sight, a dream to drive. Guess I'll just have to wait and see.

 

I finally just gave up on it for now.

No matter who I talked to or what I didn't they just kept blowing me off at the dealer. I kept getting the BMW/MINI doesn't have a solution...if we get me people complaining maybe they'll do something...but for now good luck...here's a t-shirt and some stickers...don't let the door hit you on the way out.

The BMW/MINI customer service that called me cause I didn't give all 10's on the service tried to help...but only when I said I think I'm just going to sell the car. I can't seem to get anyone to help me. But even they backed away and said the dealer will have to deal with it (no pun intended).

I'm due in 2400 mile for a service...it might be time then to start the fight again.

 

I have over 15K on my 09 MCSa JCW now, and no surging at all--even when I eschew the manual habit and go in full D auto. maybe my senses are numb...

Still, this is the best slushbox auto Ive ever driven, and on the track it's even more fun because of how FN fast it shifts and how much FN control one has over engine revs and gears, w/o taking yr hands off the wheel. Even the die-hard stickheads are impressed. Of course, most of the time they're in my RVM

Drove a friend's Lexus IS-F (the 418 hp V8 mated to the 8-speed slushbox) and I still think the MINI's Aisin is a much better tranny.

 

I had this problem in my Audi tt auto and had the trans fluid changed and....voila surge went away.I'm having my '07 MCS 48,000 mi. changed this weekend just for preventative measures as well as coolant flush and fill.By doing these fluid changes at about 50,000 or so can only prolong the life of the car.Nothing is lifetime as BMW states...Do your Mini a favor and change the fluids.My Audi could have driven another 150,000, because I had fluids changed.No lifetime here....

 

I am amazed you have a dealer that will do an ATF fluid change. Mine just states it is sealed for life. I told them that VW, which uses this same tranny in some cars, just sent a notice to owners telling them to get the transmission flushed every 40,000 miles. VW apparently had some durability issues. However, MINI's version of this tranny lacks VW's fluid intake port so changing the fluid is a major PITA as it must be dribbled back in thru a 10mm hole where a bolt is removed from the top of of the trans. The trans holds about 6 quarts. You can drain about 2 quarts at at time. I just did mine twice adding Mobil 1 synthetic and it shifts much smoother. Here is the thread on doing your own ATF fluid change: https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/coupe-talk-2007/178731-atf-fluid-partial-drain-fill-new-post.html

 

Thanks for the added info for the JCW engine package. It appears that there is more than just an exhaust and an intake upgrade to the package is it affects the AutoTranny shifting too! Mini #2 (SMOG-2) is on the boat and the Dealer will add that package ASAP, unless I can be convinced otherwise.

S.

 

On the 2011's the auto trans disengages when the vehicle comes to a stop, to save fuel or some such nonsense. With the Sport Button engaged the tranny will stay engaged and all will be well as far as Big Brother controlling your shifting world.

S.

 

I'm wondering how many of the Auto owners complaining of this surge have extensively driven a manual before? Having driven them for the past 15 years, including two manual MINIs, I think what people are referring to as a "surge" is just the auto tranny engine braking and rev matching as it down shifts. This is something that's not easy to do with a manual, and a real treat that my Clubbie Auto does this.

For those that are talking about a "surge" when starting from a stand still, but find it improved with Sport mode on, I would highly recommend Way MotorWorks Diverter mod. It's cheap and improves throttle response in D mode such that, I don't instinctively need to hit the Sport Button everytime I get in the car. I now have the benefit of improved fuel economy in non Sport mode but a very close approximation of throttle response like in Sport mode.

It takes about 30 minutes to install and it's an easy DIY.
http://www.waymotorworks.com/wmw-per...off-valve.html

re: ATF at the dealership
My dealership, Crevier, did this for me recently as I unintentionally drained some fluid instead of draining the oil pan during my first oil change, lol.

 

That "Surge" feeling is the auto tranny down shift to match RPM's, as OctaneGuy states. On occasion I can trick the tranny into shifting in a manner that is not desired, like going from full throttle and backing off the gas in the middle of a shift. The computer thinks you are still in full throttle mode for that split second and it does not shift the same. In Sport Mode it does not seem to do it. All in all it is a great little slush box.

S.

 

I'm going to add to this thread because this is something that started happening to me last week. I have driven manual half my life. I know the difference between manually downshifting and the auto trans downshift.
That said, a slight surge is not my issue. I have a huge surge when I try to stop. So much so, that I am really afraid I'm going to have a terrible accident. It's like the car really is fighting to move forward.

I've checked and made sure that my foot wasn't on both the gas and brake at the same time. (Yes someone suggested that to me.) I only use premium gas, 93. She's been in the shop for a week. They can't duplicate the problem. I should hear from them tomorrow with an update. Not really sure what to do at this point. I do know I've had her less then 8 months and this is the 4th or 5th time she's been in the shop. Anyone have any new info on the surge issue or does anyone experience a really strong surge forward upon trying to stop?

Edited to add that there's about 4800 miles on the car. Maybe I don't drive it enough?

 

No surges like you report, YET!

Wait until E-15 ethanol hits us all and our warranties go belly-up on the engines!

S.

 

I have this exact problem with my 2005 r50 with the CVT trans. Had the fluid changed but problem still exists. I can't stand it! Especially in slow-stop-n-go (los angeles)traffic! Is this really normal? Jeez! I think it is because the mini cooper shop mechanic could'nt even notice it! He says he must just be used to it. God i would love this thing so much if it just coasted to a stop. I traded my wife the mini for her old scion Xb. Now we're both kinda happy..... Except when i'm in the passenger seat of the mini, cuz i'm constantly bracing myself in traffic because of its behaviour.

 

I have experience the same surge, but prefer to cal it a lung. When I had to change brake pads I changed to an after market performance orientated brand and the lung stopped. From what I can tell OEM pads are very grabby(I've read this is to help with the operation of the abs). So on OEM pads what's happening is that when your braking and coming to a stop just before you come to a complete stop you reduce pressure on the brake peddle. This releases the pads because of this grabby on/off braking characteristic, they let go and the car lunges forward which you then stop by pushing back down on the brake. This is probably also contributed to by the quirk of the auto trans as others above have noted. The added bonus of the new pads is less dust and better braking.

 

I've had the surging issue with my automatic 2012 Mini Cooper S since I purchased it. I'm experiencing surges (where the RPMs will spike and the car will lurch forward) both when braking gradually and when coming to a rolling stop (no braking), so I don't think the brake pad solution makes sense. I've brought this up to my dealer multiple times, but they claim that they cannot replicate the problem and that no errors pop up when the car is plugged into their computer. (Note that my body shop instantly noticed the surges, so I feel like the dealer's ignorance is BS.) Has anyone been able to find a solution to this issue? The car has about 9,000 miles on it at this point, and has always had this problem. It's noticeably worse in Sport.