MINI2 - MINI Forum - View Single Post - Automatic owners

jggimi · Sep 30th, 2007, 01:41 AM

I have a normally aspirated R56 MC Auto. While it's obviously just my opinion, here's how I grade the various AT "settings":

"D" -- best economy. woopie. Primary value: stuck behind a truck on the highway, or stuck behind a bus in the city. Acceleration? Yes, it is true, you can get some. But you'll wait for it. Use of the paddles is mandatory for passing, since tromping on the accelerator is effectively worthless.
"DS" through gearshift alone -- "peppy" auto. Transmission seems to try to keep in the 3200-5000 rpm power band whenever the accelerator is depressed even a little bit. Much more pleasant auto driving than economy "D", though obviously, fuel economy is lessened.
"DS" through the sport button -- roller skate with an engine. It keeps the RPMs up, as much as possible. Stiffens the steering, provides -- in my opinion -- improved road feel. Does a better job from a standing start than I can do with the paddles myself.
Sport and "DS" via shift combined -- about the same as "Sport" alone. If there are differences, they are not noticeable to me in my MC
"M" mode without the sport button -- It needs stiffer steering. Push the sport button to get it.
Sport in "M" mode -- where I spend most of my time, as I can control power vs. economy as I need, and I get stiffer steering, which I really like.

Sep 30th, 2007, 01:41 AM	#22
jggimi MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Michigan Local Time: 04:20 PM Posts: 42 Offline	I have a normally aspirated R56 MC Auto. While it's obviously just my opinion, here's how I grade the various AT "settings": "D" -- best economy. woopie. Primary value: stuck behind a truck on the highway, or stuck behind a bus in the city. Acceleration? Yes, it is true, you can get some. But you'll wait for it. Use of the paddles is mandatory for passing, since tromping on the accelerator is effectively worthless. "DS" through gearshift alone -- "peppy" auto. Transmission seems to try to keep in the 3200-5000 rpm power band whenever the accelerator is depressed even a little bit. Much more pleasant auto driving than economy "D", though obviously, fuel economy is lessened. "DS" through the sport button -- roller skate with an engine. It keeps the RPMs up, as much as possible. Stiffens the steering, provides -- in my opinion -- improved road feel. Does a better job from a standing start than I can do with the paddles myself. Sport and "DS" via shift combined -- about the same as "Sport" alone. If there are differences, they are not noticeable to me in my MC "M" mode without the sport button -- It needs stiffer steering. Push the sport button to get it. Sport in "M" mode -- where I spend most of my time, as I can control power vs. economy as I need, and I get stiffer steering, which I really like.