[Near Oxford Mini]

Some pics of the auto box. Shame there only appears to be a Drive and no Sports mode.

Have to use the paddles instead.

[Olly.]

There does look to be a sports mode. Looks the same as all BMW automatics, push to the left and it will go in to sport mode and then if you want you can push up or down to manually change the gears.

[Scrogg]

Surely the 'S' is for Sequential, not Sport?

[Near Oxford Mini]

Our other Automatic has a D(rive) and S(port) fully automatic mode in addition to the tiptronic push across the box.

The S mode gives it more revs between shift-ups....................

[Mikiew]

Olly is right about the sport mode, this is copied from BMW 3 series info but is the same -



Manual operation and Sport program M/S

Move selector lever from position D toward the left into the M/S shifting slot: The sport program is activated and DS appears in the instrument cluster. This position is recommended for a performance-oriented driving style.
When you press the selector lever forwards or backwards, the manual mode is activated and Steptronic changes gear. The instrument cluster shows M1 through M6. Upshifts and downshifts are executed only when they will result in a plausible combination of engine and vehicle speed; thus, for example, a downshift that would cause the engine to overrev will not be executed by the system. The gear selected appears briefly in the instrument cluster, followed by the gear actually in use. To use the automatic function again, move the selector lever to the right into position D.

Shifting gears via shift paddles* on the steering wheel

> To shift up: pull one of the shift paddles.
> To shift down: press one of the shift paddles.
D Drive, automatic position
With the selector lever in position D, you can shift gears by pulling or pressing a shift paddle.
The gear currently engaged appears in the instrument cluster; manual shifting mode is temporarily activated. If you do not accelerate or shift gears within approx. 12 seconds, the
transmission switches back to automatic mode. The system also switches back to automatic
mode when you shift to another gear slot.

Manual operation and Sport program M/S

In the Sport program, pulling or pressing a shift paddle shifts gears and switches the transmission to permanent manual mode. The gear currently engaged appears in the instrument cluster. The transmission switches back to automatic mode when you shift to another gear slot.

[GBMINI]

I've read that the "whole car" has a normal/sports mode button which affects the steering response and on the auto it does the appropriate function

[Wooly]

Are there any performance figures to go with it. im assuming its one of them novelty 'boxes which give slower times than manual

[Mikiew]

Quote: Originally Posted by GBMINI (original)

I've read that the "whole car" has a normal/sports mode button which affects the steering response and on the auto it does the appropriate function

Don't know for definite on the MINI, but this works as you say on the Z4 with SMG/SSG or the steptronic auto.

Imagine it would work exactly the same.

[Mikiew]

Quote: Originally Posted by Wooly (original)

Are there any performance figures to go with it. im assuming its one of them novelty 'boxes which give slower times than manual

It will [almost] definitely be slower.

There is an uprated six speed steptronic on the new 335i / 335d that is meant to have far faster shifts etc and be as good as a manual - the problem is that they have 286 / 300bhp so any power sapping by the box is less noticeable.

I would like it to be good so I maybe will consider it - we'll have to see. We should be due some news about the auto 'box on here anyway, I recall an earlier post promising something good.

[Near Oxford Mini]

We remember that post ................................

Quote: Originally Posted by Goonery (original)

Prepare to be surprised and pleased

All went strangely quiet ..................................

Gagged by BMW May Be?

Did sound intriguing though.

[Mikiew]

Quote: Originally Posted by Near Oxford Mini (original)

Gagged by BMW May Be?

Did sound intriguing though.

Maybe the 7 speed SMGIII from the M5/M6 is finding it's way into the MCS

Goonery - any news for us??

[rayb]

Having ordered an automatic we're disappointed that we can't get any information. They are very secretive about it. Only thing I've heard is that it's the same as the auto on the 1st gen Cooper S. That sounds unlikely . I just hope it's not a CVT box like the first gen Cooper. We had one of those when they were first available and it was awful.
The auto on the 3 Series is truly amazing. Seamless shifts and instant down changes. But then the 335i and 335d have huge amounts of power. If the new Cooper auto is anywhere near as good it will be worth waiting for.

[Mikiew]

Well they can't keep it a secret for much longer now, can they? I think it will be the same 'box as the current MCS.

Are you the rayb from Z4um that has ordered 335i?

[zyo]

Looks like the auto box stick is wearing its own little crash helmet

[rayb]

Mikiew - Yes same person. 335i is for me, MC is for my wife. I'm looking forward to the MC arriving just s much as the 335i.

[Mikiew]

Quote: Originally Posted by rayb (original)

Mikiew - Yes same person. 335i is for me, MC is for my wife. I'm looking forward to the MC arriving just s much as the 335i.

Excellent. Sounds like a great combination of cars.

[jmelrose]

I can share this, although I have no more info so please don't ask expecting ME to be able to answer. I'm just a newbie Mini customer-to-be who happened to be graced with someone giving me bit of information I asked about.

Anyway, after posting on a board here in the US and A that I have ordered a MCS-auto for a March 07 build, someone sent me an email message to congratulate me and let me know the following:

I drove one over 250 miles one weekend on mixed roads (but real-life driving). I don't know if you are familiar with the current auto, but you are in for a treat. Its just about perfection for such a small power uint and pulls well: chirrups tires even in 2nd if you are enthusiastic, and I averaged 39 miles per gallon. I did 110 mph for one long stretch and was heavy-footed on the gas quite a bit. All in all it is a great improvement on the current boxes.

Cool, eh? I appreciated knowing that!

[GBMINI]

The auto for both MC and MCS on the R56 is the Aisin box - if not identical to the current MCS one then same manufacturer so very similar.
See here for example:
MotoringFile » Archive » 2007 MINI USA Pricing and Options

Also (not specifically mentioning Aisin but interesting):
MotoringFile » Archive » Official MINI UK 2007 PDFs


One of my two MINIs is an '05 MCS with the Aisin transmission - it's very nice, although of course sometimes it doesn't shift when I think it should. But then the steering wheel paddles make it easy to "give a hint"! Much easier than the kickdown.
No way could I get anything like 39mpg - my best, driving very tediously slowly and avoiding acceleration/deceleration was about 33. My 20 minute commute to work (no traffic but mostly 50mph max) gives me about 25mpg.
[note: US gallons - would be 10% better for UK gallons]


The Aisin "true" auto transmission is massively better than the CVT! Also there's been some CVT reliability issues - I'm glad they dropped it.

[Mikiew]

Quote: Originally Posted by GBMINI (original)

My 20 minute commute to work (no traffic but mostly 50mph max) gives me about 25mpg.
[note: US gallons - would be 10% better for UK gallons]

Thanks for the gearbox info . I find the above statement a bit disconcerting, most of my driving is in heavy traffic, I know the new engine is more economical but even still, that looks very thirsty.

[GBMINI]

Your UK gallons will take my 25 to maybe 28.
The new cars supposed to improve that so you might get up to 32.

On highway driving, I'll get 28-30 which for you in the '07 might be 38-40?

If you want economy, the MCS is not the right car - but it's wonderful most other ways