Mini Cooper S auto
Discussion
I have a few questions. Are the mini cooper S automatic very reliable ? A friend of mine bought one that is 5 years old last week-end and it looks stunning especially in red. Are these cars safe to buy privately or is it better to buy from a Mini dealer ?
Finally do they all have run flat tyres (the car owned by my friend has those tyres) and my experience of run flat tyres on my BMW is not good. I did not realise until now that those cars are so beautiful.
Finally do they all have run flat tyres (the car owned by my friend has those tyres) and my experience of run flat tyres on my BMW is not good. I did not realise until now that those cars are so beautiful.
The CVT version has a history of sudden failures and is a sealed unit, so is ruinously expensive if it fails. There are no particular warning signs, although a few threads on a long thread on a US site (I can't find right now, sorry) mentioned it not shifting cleanly before the fail. Not sure how you would tell unless familiar with the box though. My neighbour has a 53 plate ONE and happily bats round London and m'way journeys, so hers has been OK.
Later versions use a more conventional 6-speed auto that drives very nicely (hoping mine will arrive sometime this month, gettingold ahem,... tired of shifting gear in endless commuter traffic jams). The changover date is a little vague - a dealer would definitely be able to tell you which variant was fitted, but I'm fairly sure all the R56 (the facelift ones with the larger side-scuttle insert) have the later box.
Regarding dealer choice, certainly worth a look if you want a youngish one as they've normally got a decent selection in so you can compare specs. There are loads of options, although the base spec has improved over the years - the aircon on my 58 plate was an option, but is now standard. Always but always get a warranty, as any failures are BMW expensive.
Regarding runflats, all the 15" wheels are non-rf (as specced on my current MINI, for that very reason); larger wheels have rfs. Until about 2 years ago (centre console has a black finish instead of silver) when they became options on all sizes, except on the JCW that has kept rfs. Also, older cars may well have changed to normal tires over the course of ownership so you would need to look more closely when buying. On the R56 the 16" rfs were OK, 17" tramlined too much for my taste.
Later versions use a more conventional 6-speed auto that drives very nicely (hoping mine will arrive sometime this month, getting
Regarding dealer choice, certainly worth a look if you want a youngish one as they've normally got a decent selection in so you can compare specs. There are loads of options, although the base spec has improved over the years - the aircon on my 58 plate was an option, but is now standard. Always but always get a warranty, as any failures are BMW expensive.
Regarding runflats, all the 15" wheels are non-rf (as specced on my current MINI, for that very reason); larger wheels have rfs. Until about 2 years ago (centre console has a black finish instead of silver) when they became options on all sizes, except on the JCW that has kept rfs. Also, older cars may well have changed to normal tires over the course of ownership so you would need to look more closely when buying. On the R56 the 16" rfs were OK, 17" tramlined too much for my taste.
The cooper s auto has never been cvt to clear things up. The torque converter gear box is pretty reliable but can be a bit clunky. My wife's had 3 minis with this box, 1 cooper d clubman, 1 cooper d countryman and a gen one s conv. The two diesels have been perfect, the cooper s was very clunky but had done 50,000 miles when we got shut of it.
i run a modified r53 auto S, 15% reduced pully, grs intercooler, dave f air box, scorpion cat back, with manifold, head, cam, injectors and a 1320 remap on the cards. the auto box is the same as one used in one of the peugeot diesel vans so will take a good chunk of torque and can be remapped which i will get done when i get the remap. not had any issues and i drive it hard. i know i will get duffed up for driving an auto even more so for modding it
hoppinmad said:
i run a modified r53 auto S, 15% reduced pully, grs intercooler, dave f air box, scorpion cat back, with manifold, head, cam, injectors and a 1320 remap on the cards. the auto box is the same as one used in one of the peugeot diesel vans so will take a good chunk of torque and can be remapped which i will get done when i get the remap. not had any issues and i drive it hard. i know i will get duffed up for driving an auto even more so for modding it
Nothing wrong with that in my eyes. My wife can't drive a manual due to knee issues, some people look down on her for this. In my opinion she's a better driver than 99% of the population. i have to drive an auto because of a motorbike accident years ago, i have driven/owned some quick cars over the years and my S is pretty quick. you know what some people are like over autos but i think with now days smart auto boxes there is very little in it plus traffic is a breeze
Loui said:
The cooper s auto has never been cvt to clear things up. T...
Hi Loui, thanks for the info. The replacement of the CVT was uncertain in my mind and that might explain why.Have taken auto S and Cooper for test drives and preferred them to my current manual Cooper, so my vapourware new Cooper (ordered 31 March and still in the system somewhere) will be an auto. The flappy paddles were optioned, a toy as the box did a much better job than I manage. Must check if there's a pipe and slippers set in the MINI accessories catalogue.
, I'll be there on the Mini Torque stand, or rather in the queue for the track 
ah yeh i have seen hartge220 somewhere else then i loose track of all the forums iam on, l seen leccy blue on MT, i stick with hoppinmad because my old brains not what it used to be, been looking at pics of your mini on trackmini, very nice
Edited by hoppinmad on Thursday 21st June 17:15
i dont have a clue how rare they are, the auto was also an option on the works, i think the fact its still a 6 speed means the fuel consumption not as bad as you would imagine, iam getting about 25>27 mpg and i do mostly round town and dont have very good self control so iam not driving miss daisy. from a performance point when in sport mode the box is quite flexable and doubt there is a great deal of difference in performance, but i will add i havnt driven a manual S
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