[GBMINI]

Quote: Originally Posted by caminifan

It would appear that I have a mix-up on the owners manual for the MCSa - the manual I have only covers operation of the CVT (pseudo/hybrid automatic) transmission. No discussion at all of the 6 speed Aisin A/T. Therefore, could someone who has the manual that describes the operation of the 6 speed Aisin A/T, please post the part number that is on the manual? Thanks in advance.

There is no specific manual. The very general waffle about the transmission applies as much to your Aisin transmission as to the CVT.

[nonsequitur]

Quote: Originally Posted by GBMINI

There is no specific manual. The very general waffle about the transmission applies as much to your Aisin transmission as to the CVT.

Is this really true?

From an earlier call, the MINI Cooper S Auto Owner's Manual (starting at Page 56 according to ASK-MINI) is supposed to have a separate section on the Auto. I've not read what BMW Group wrote as a description of how to drive the MCS Auto.

[GBMINI]

If it's not true, I don't have the real manual either.
There is no specific manual for the Cooper different to Cooper S. There is no specific manual for the manual transmission different to the auto. I can't believe there is a different manual (just) for the auto Cooper S.

This pdf / scanned document of the '05 manual updates discusses on pages 56...59 the auto transmission. Specifically page 58 discusses sport drive & sports manual, and the steering wheel paddles.
Even more relevant - page 59 specifically refers to the MINI Cooper S automatic!

That is all you will get - there is no functional difference between the behaviour of the CVT and Aisin autos.

In fact if anything the manual applies MORE to the Aisin than the CVT - there is no mention of the CVTs "normal drive" behaviour of holding revs ...

[Jim Ray]

Quote: Originally Posted by GBMINI

If it's not true, I don't have the real manual either.
There is no specific manual for the Cooper different to Cooper S. There is no specific manual for the manual transmission different to the auto. I can't believe there is a different manual (just) for the auto Cooper S.

This pdf / scanned document of the '05 manual updates discusses on pages 56...59 the auto transmission. Specifically page 58 discusses sport drive & sports manual, and the steering wheel paddles.
Even more relevant - page 59 specifically refers to the MINI Cooper S automatic!

That is all you will get - there is no functional difference between the behaviour of the CVT and Aisin autos.

In fact if anything the manual applies MORE to the Aisin than the CVT - there is no mention of the CVTs "normal drive" behaviour of holding revs ...

That is all there is in our manual also. Just the most basic of how to operate the transmission. That is why I did not copy it into the thread, although I was remiss in not saying that. It took me a while to stop driving and read.

[GBMINI]

Quote: Originally Posted by Jim Ray

It took me a while to stop driving and read.

That's the key!
It's not hard to drive the MCSa, with or without a manual

[and manual = handbook in this context!]

[nike61]

Hey guys. I want to know if there is a easier way to go from M back to SD.

Going from D to SD is easy, then invoking M is just by pushing the paddles. So how can you go back to SD

Only way I found was to revert back to D then back to SD

Is there any other way

[Jim Ray]

That is the only way in mine. Not a big deal, less than one shift in a manual.

[JCIP]

I just took delivery of my '05 MCSa and am very happy with the transmission. I have found Mini 2 to have the most info on the automatic, and am very pleased to have found this thread!

I have had an '03 MCS which has been a great car, but I am finding the new car much easier and pleasureable to drive. The lower gearing and torque multipication of the auto makes traffic much less bothersome, and the car is so much easier to drive.

I am still in break-in, but since I have familiarity with the car already, I find I can be really smooth in the lower gears. I have been more inclined to manual shift , it makes a great transistion from the manual car. I can drive the car 'hard' and still manual shift if before 4500 rpm, and I find that the car in D seems to shift about 4500 rpm anyway, lots of fun, and I think it will be a great car to autocross.

[bjl]

I've had my MCSa for 257 days and I'm still extremely impressed with its driving variability and performance. You can actually teach the car how you want it to drive! Here are my specific impressions:

D mode. This is perfect for everyday commuting. Basically D mode tries to maximize fuel economy using your driving habits. If you typically accelerate quickly (in any driving mode) the car will rev higher before shifting. If you typically accelerate slowly then the car will shift earlier. You can also forcefully teach the car to shift earlier during acceleration. If the car is revving higher than you want it to in D mode, when accelerating manually upshift using the paddle when you want (temporarily changes to M mode), the car will automatically switch back to D mode after acceleration and the car will adapt to this driving pattern/habit, so that the next time you accelerate the car will shift at lower RPM. Another interesting feature in D mode is that the car usually downshifts when coasting down a steep hill.

SD mode. I don't usually use this mode, but I think it behaves much the same way as D mode, other than the car operating at higher RPM. I think it is just as adaptive as D mode and that driving aggressively in SD mode influences how the car will act in D mode as well.

M mode. I drive in this mode often - my car begs me to. There are a few ways how you can treat this mode of driving and I'm not sure which is best for the car/trasmission. When shifting you can either keep constant pressure on the accelerator or you can take your foot off of the accelerator then reapply pressure when in gear. The first (constant pressure) allows for instant gear changes, but I worry that it puts much stress on the trasmission. The second seems like it puts less stress on the transmission and you get a sporty exhaust gurgle when take your foot off the accelerator to shift. Other M mode driving options would include the amount of pressure you apply to the accelerator while shifting. Either way it's a lot of fun. It's even more fun if you swich off traction control because the throttle is a little more responsive (although this could be dangerous).

[Jim Ray]

Good observations bjl.

I have no access to the BMW programming, but ten years ago I had access to the logic diagram for the Chrysler product electronic automatic.

When the shift was initiated, the ecu killed the spark to the engine for just a portion of a revolution. This allowed the shift to take place under reduced loading. It was imperceptible to the driver. I have to believe that the MINI, and most other modern automatics have the same feature in the program. It reduces warranty claims, and that would almost guarantee it.

Hey, it has been almost a year, hasn't it? The wife and I still are amazed with the performance of our MCSa's, and would not think of going back to a stick shift. It will ruin you for other cars though.

[nike61]

Good to see that the MCSa is still alive.
Had my MCSa now for 6 months and I would say that 99% of the time I drive in "M". During this time I have never deaccelerated, only kept constant power with no problems whatsoever.
The only trick is to ensure when slowing or change down, that you do not leave it too late to drop to 2nd for corners, as some times at same time the MCSa already had changed, thus putting you in 1st......gulp.
The only issue is the cold start and slight yo-yo first thing in morning or longer holding of gears during change. I have been told to update the exhaust into 4 into 1 gives extra power and smoothes this problem out. Still deciding whether to do or not.
I agree with Jim, that it is hard to go back to manual after this sweet car.
Go MCSa.

[rozminiblack]

Ive had my MCSa now for 2 weeks ( we also have a 03jcw ) . Roz loves her Jcw but I cant give up the auto now ! Its brilliant in traffic and changes quicker and better than I ever could with a manual . Cant wait to try it out at Eastern Creek with the Jcw brakes.

[JCIP]

This car gets the nod for everyday driving. It's just easier to drive. It takes some skill to keep it smooth, but so does the manual shift car. When driven aggressively, it's a flyer!

I have also discoverd that I can shift in D mode. Just tap a paddle and you jump into manual mode, and go up or down a gear. Really fantastic when you want to upshift or downshift - no reaching for the gear lever and pushing it over, etc., just start paddleing! The car will revert to D mode a few seconds later, but you've been able to make your gear change and are back to cruising faster than if you had been trying to reset the mode!

And, I LOVE the kickdown! It's just a no brainer, even more fun if you are in D then hit the paddle to drop a gear - the display will show what gear, then stomp it into kickdown. The rocket launches! Don't forget to paddle up, but it will revert to D and shift up if you don't.

Also in D, the box downshifts as you are braking, so you are pretty well set for accelerating out of a corner in a lower gear. If its a slow corner, like a right angle bend, second will be seleced - you can check it just be bumping the paddle, or move the lever over and go through the motions. Anyway, just wanted to say that I find driving in D and working the paddles as needed, THE best of both worlds. Automatic ease, with manual overide, and back to D faster and smoother than you can probably shift the auto box manually!

[mick225]

Is there a display to show which gear you currently have selected?

[Jim Ray]

Quote: Originally Posted by mick225

Is there a display to show which gear you currently have selected?

I know it does in manual mode. I think it does for a moment in D when manually shifting, but it goes away when the tranny returns to full automatic. I so seldom shift manually that I will have to take a look when I get to drive the wifes car again.

[Ferroequine]

Quote: Originally Posted by Jim Ray

I know it does in manual mode. I think it does for a moment in D when manually shifting, but it goes away when the tranny returns to full automatic. I so seldom shift manually that I will have to take a look when I get to drive the wifes car again.

Yup, you're right Jim. That's how it works; bang on.

But I think you should take your wife's car for a "test drive" anyway.

[JCIP]

I haven't visited for a while, but this is a good time to make an addition. I have been in the process of selling my manual S, so I haven't been driving it much. I have been reluctant to let it go. It has been cleaned and polished and sitting in the garage awaiting a new owner. I have been logging lots of mile on the MCSa instead, and I have to say - getting into the old car was a shocker!

I had forgotten how aniemic the manual S is low down. I was afraid I was going to stall it every time I took off from a stop light! The Auto has made it so easy to move off from a stop, or a hill, just so much nicer for everyday driving!

On the open road, I have no feeling of diconnect with the auto. I find it very satisfying to drive, and don't feel I am missing much from the manual. There are some oddities, but I think it's just the computer trying to think, and a tap on the paddles puts it all right!

[GBMINI]

When I pick up GPMINI in Monterey and drive MTTS, it's going to give me a good long seat time back in the manual - it'll be very interesting to see if my reaction is like yours when I get back home and try GBMINI again

[JCIP]

I will look forward to seeing you there! I am attending with a friend who is also collecting a GP Mini! Are you doing 'Mini takes the states' too? We will be doing leg one, maybe two, but can't stray too far since the car needs to be returned to Mini for shipping.

What's your number?

You can contact me direct at JCIP@hawaii.rr.com

[mick225]

Also does the auto in the S change up when you hit the rev limiter in manual mode?