Discussion
Has anyone got any experience of these? I love the manual cars but wife is desperate for an auto - and it’s going to be her car (for the most part 😁) I’ve never driven one but have heard questionable things. Some real world experience would be great.
I’ve had a couple of F series Minis and the Aisin box was superb in both. Very quick changes in manual mode and smooth in full auto. Does the R56 compare?
I’ve had a couple of F series Minis and the Aisin box was superb in both. Very quick changes in manual mode and smooth in full auto. Does the R56 compare?
I got my Mum an R58 Cooper S (Coupe as opposed to R56 hatch) with the auto box. She still has it nine years later and it has caused zero bother aside from a faulty alarm sensor.
Personally I prefer the manual box, but the auto shifts up through the gears reasonbably quickly (for not being a twin clutch) making it feel very swift. The gearing is longer than my R58 JCW manual so less revs for same speed making it less frenetic.
You can leave it in full auto or use the level or steering wheel paddles to manually change up and down. If you move the lever over to the left you have Sport mode which means it holds onto gears longer (maintaining higher revs) which does empower it with quicker get up and go when you floor it. It's perfectly livable with, but it depends on whether your appetite is for having to stir a stick versus the convenience of an auto.
Her's has the N18 engine. It sounds more slightly more agricultural to me than the N14, but has a better rep for durability.
scrw. on here has an R55 auto Cooper S so may have more to offer.
Personally I prefer the manual box, but the auto shifts up through the gears reasonbably quickly (for not being a twin clutch) making it feel very swift. The gearing is longer than my R58 JCW manual so less revs for same speed making it less frenetic.
You can leave it in full auto or use the level or steering wheel paddles to manually change up and down. If you move the lever over to the left you have Sport mode which means it holds onto gears longer (maintaining higher revs) which does empower it with quicker get up and go when you floor it. It's perfectly livable with, but it depends on whether your appetite is for having to stir a stick versus the convenience of an auto.
Her's has the N18 engine. It sounds more slightly more agricultural to me than the N14, but has a better rep for durability.
scrw. on here has an R55 auto Cooper S so may have more to offer.
Have driven 2007 R56 mini cooper with 6 speed auto thought it worked well suspect it wasn't a common option and may not be easy to find one. Remember that the Cooper S has sport suspension unless delete option taken when new, a cooper will give a better ride(which may be important for your mum).The one I dove was on 16" blaster alloys and had a reasonable ride.
The problems with the N14 engine seem to mainly be for the Cooper S so if going for a pre 2010 model stick to the standard Cooper.
The problems with the N14 engine seem to mainly be for the Cooper S so if going for a pre 2010 model stick to the standard Cooper.
twokcc said:
Have driven 2007 R56 mini cooper with 6 speed auto thought it worked well suspect it wasn't a common option and may not be easy to find one. Remember that the Cooper S has sport suspension unless delete option taken when new, a cooper will give a better ride(which may be important for your mum).The one I dove was on 16" blaster alloys and had a reasonable ride.
The problems with the N14 engine seem to mainly be for the Cooper S so if going for a pre 2010 model stick to the standard Cooper.
i'm only looking at 2011 to 2014, so N18.The problems with the N14 engine seem to mainly be for the Cooper S so if going for a pre 2010 model stick to the standard Cooper.
Steering well clear of pre 2010
We've had our 2010 N18 MCS auto for nearly 7 years now. It's currently covered 76k and has never had an issue with the auto box.
It's not the quickest shifter, but it's very predictable and works well.
We're probably keeping the car until it dies, so the next quandary is the gearbox oil......to change or not to
It's not the quickest shifter, but it's very predictable and works well.
We're probably keeping the car until it dies, so the next quandary is the gearbox oil......to change or not to
Definitely pick a N18 model. I had a N14 Clubman Automatic which is pretty much a similar car. When I loved the car it was brilliant. The autobox made is comfortable in traffic and the car changed into a really nice long distance cruiser on the motorway as it was absolutely planted. The autobox does downshift when slowing a la F1 style and it can be annoying.
Just remember it's a MINI - and it needs more TLC than most other cars - timing chain, coking, HPFP, collant leaks, valve cover leaks, etc
Just remember it's a MINI - and it needs more TLC than most other cars - timing chain, coking, HPFP, collant leaks, valve cover leaks, etc
I had a Toureg R Line 2015 that had this odd delay when changing down for a corner - it would take 2 or 3 seconds. Contrary to that, If you were overtaking (so had your foot on the accelerator) then downshifts were instant. Upshifts were always instantaneous! Drove me mad.
Nothing like any Mini F56 / BMW i've owned in the last 10 years. All have had superb boxes - super quick both up and down.
Nothing like any Mini F56 / BMW i've owned in the last 10 years. All have had superb boxes - super quick both up and down.
Not sure if its the same box but I have an auto in my 2008 R55 Cooper. Compared to the DSG in my previous Golf and the auto in my BMW before that, in full auto its pretty dreadful. Constantly what I feel to be the wrong gear.
In previous cars I've touched the paddles on the steering wheel once in a blue moon. In the Mini I use them all the time either in manual or when in auto just to drop down a gear or two when the box doesn't. Shame as it detracts a little from a really nice little car.
In previous cars I've touched the paddles on the steering wheel once in a blue moon. In the Mini I use them all the time either in manual or when in auto just to drop down a gear or two when the box doesn't. Shame as it detracts a little from a really nice little car.
DaveyBoyWonder said:
Not sure if its the same box but I have an auto in my 2008 R55 Cooper. Compared to the DSG in my previous Golf and the auto in my BMW before that, in full auto its pretty dreadful. Constantly what I feel to be the wrong gear.
In previous cars I've touched the paddles on the steering wheel once in a blue moon. In the Mini I use them all the time either in manual or when in auto just to drop down a gear or two when the box doesn't. Shame as it detracts a little from a really nice little car.
How quick are the changes?In previous cars I've touched the paddles on the steering wheel once in a blue moon. In the Mini I use them all the time either in manual or when in auto just to drop down a gear or two when the box doesn't. Shame as it detracts a little from a really nice little car.
DaveyBoyWonder said:
Not sure if its the same box but I have an auto in my 2008 R55 Cooper. Compared to the DSG in my previous Golf and the auto in my BMW before that, in full auto its pretty dreadful. Constantly what I feel to be the wrong gear.
In previous cars I've touched the paddles on the steering wheel once in a blue moon. In the Mini I use them all the time either in manual or when in auto just to drop down a gear or two when the box doesn't. Shame as it detracts a little from a really nice little car.
Maybe it is the lack of torque, on my MCS it is fine (at stg2 though, was fine when standard too however)In previous cars I've touched the paddles on the steering wheel once in a blue moon. In the Mini I use them all the time either in manual or when in auto just to drop down a gear or two when the box doesn't. Shame as it detracts a little from a really nice little car.
DaveyBoyWonder said:
Just had my Cooper Clubman fully serviced and the gearbox despite it having less than 40k on the clock definitely feels a lot better now so I take back what I said about the auto box in the standard Cooper, its actually ok!
Where did you get yours done and how much if you don't mind me asking?Many thanks.
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