Looking for any good or bad impressions about the 2008 automatic transmissions. While I prefer a manual, too much city driving makes this undesirable; so I'm wondering how people feel about their automatics. I'm even leaning towards the base cooper for a little better gas mileage. I test-drove an early 2007 automatic base cooper and it was unusually noisy, so I'm hoping that was not the norm.
Thanks. Greg

 

We took delivery of my wife's 08 with the auto and I actually like it. We took it out on a gentle run the first weekend and put a couple of hundred miles on and I must say I am impressed and the fuel mileage has been awesome as well.

 

We are getting the automatic as well on our soon to be home Cooper S Clubman. My wife downright refuses to drive/learn a manual transmission car, so I gave up on that endeavor long ago.

We live in a pretty congested metropolitan area, so having an automatic from an everyday point of view, is a much better choice. I also think it is good to have in a household, both, an automatic and a manual car.

I am soooooo used to driving my manual R53 S in traffic that I don't ever think about it. But since I am an "enthusiast" I appreciate the advantages and driving experience afforded by the manual tranny. But the vast majority of people in this city simply prefer autos.

I have driven the Aisin 6-speed automatic in a '06 MCS and '07 MC and came away very pleased. So I am actually looking forward to it.

This automatic gearbox is made in Japan and they supply transmissions to Toyota, Honda and others, so I expect the Aisin to be fairly rock solid in the MINI application.

 

I think the auto is sweet and smooth. The only negative Ive found is that it drops the MPG down a tinge. I get about 33.5 mpg mixed driving in the MCa.

 

Slushboxes will always have lower fuel mileage than comparable manual cars.

 

Not always... Manual is so fun that I drive more in the upper rpm's than I would with a automatic. So I waste more gas as a result.

 

True, very true. Just ask me

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=123964

 

I agree...our automatic 08 MC gets better than our 06 5 speed MC due to the fact that it runs at lower RPM's not only around town but at highway speeds. Still cant resist my 06 though

 

I have an 07 MC auto with 6800 miles on it. I have owned many BMW's over the past 20 years and all of them were 5 speed trans (two converted -one from 4 speed, one from auto). When I was pondering purchasing a MINI I struggled with the trans issue to include: additional up front cost, reduced mpg, cost of therapy due to loss of self esteem/manly image/possible changes in my "intimate" functioning, etc. Then there was the issue of age 56 years, the issue of chronic illness (Lyme disease), severe degenerative disk disease with pain exacerbated by driving my e39 Touring with sport suspension and 5 speed, etc.
The auto trans won out. I test drove the MC with teh Toyota sourced 6 speed and was very impressed. Then I got what I felt was a stupendous deal on my car--2129 miles driven but never titled by MINIUSA, certified to 100k miles and $4600 below MSRP with not even any transfer fees.
I have been very pleased with the transmission. I defie any but the most accomplished manual transmission drivers to shift as smoothly and precisely as does this auto. There are many shift modes available--adaptive shift points, sport mode, paddle shifters, etc. There have been a few moments when I wished for a clutch but mostly I am just delighted with my choice. When I do long for a clutch I can drive my ford ranger 4x4. I can shift just as much as I want and more to try to keep the 3.0 in some semblance of power band.
I probably suffer a mild mpg loss. I have averaged 35.45818394 mpg over 4600 miles of mixed driving with about 1/2 of the miles on snow tires.

So, this is the truth as I know it today.
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The Auto's have a weird surge when coming to a stop. They also have a slight delay in throttle input when starting from a stop. There are a few posts about it.

 

It's actually not a surge, the transmission is downshifting and I like it a lot. The delay you are referring to from a stop is that it starts from 2nd gear. When you start from a stop in 1st (manual mode) there is no any delay. Try it.

 

I'm forced to use an auto because of a medical condition. I'm a fan of manual transmission vehicles so I'm also very sensitive about a good auto.

The MINI 6-speed auto is the best automatic transmission I've ever used. It's rather smooth in normal mode, it's full time manumatic via the paddle shifters, and in sport mode it shifts at almost the same points I'd shift a manual. Starting from 2nd is a bit odd but I've gotten into the habit of tapping the paddle to get it down into 1st. I'm very pleased with the transmission.

 

The funny thing is I had to explain to the dealer that the trans was down shifting. Most of the time you don't feel it. Its only when coming to a stop it causes a problem. The car can jump forward and if your not aware of it you can rear-end someone. After driving 13k miles I am use to it. I still warn people about it just to be safe. And with the throttle its more of a pain since I don't drive in sport manual mode. I hear the JCW kit fixes the 2nd gear start in Auto mode. I'm just going to live with it till I get rid of the MINI @ 75k miles.

 

Well, I think any good automatic slushbox worth its value on paper should provide plenty of engine braking effect.

 

we have two minis one is an 07MCSa and the other is a 07MCSm. of course im driving the automatic and my fiance drives the manual but this is the first set of cars we have that he likes the automatic. we both had Toyotas before and he couldnt stand the boring 4 speed auto transmission. He loves to drive my mini, and i even have to fight him to drive my own car lol. We've also taken them both to a drag strip and expected the manual to totally beat the automatic. believe it or not, this was not the case the automatic had better times than the manual. its really about convenience so its up to you, but this is the best automatic car i've owned

 

Yes, definitely it is about personal preference. When accelerating the auto is also smoother at full throttle. There is no way I could accelerate that hard in my car and be that smooth. But I love coasting in neutral. I know some say it is dangerous to be out of gear but I love it. I am in neutral half the time! People just don't know it. hahahahahah

 

I have the auto with sport package.
I'm really glad I got it over the manual
(have health issues like many above)

It's really smooth in regular mode.
In sport mode it drives just labout like
a manual (bobs your head around at changes,
gears down when you slow down, etc etc)

So the short answer is I was not disappointed
or 'settling' but actually was very pleasantly surprised.

 

The downshift/surge thing seems to be more prominent with the Auto when in Sport mode. But with Sport mode it kind of fits anyway with how the mode changes all the shift points. Just more aggressive overall.