Automatic Mini opinions please...
Discussion
Hi all. Has anybody got an opinion on automatic transmission mini's? I'd love to get back into a mini as a fun commuter/back lane toy. Haven't owned one for around 18 years and I am now stuck with auto's only because of a disability. I assume the boxes are 3 speed. Are they reliable? Or if not, are there exchange units available from specialists? I've not searched the used market thoroughly, but have noticed a few cropping up on the ubiquitous Ebay at prices that seem reasonable... any help or advice on this would be appreciated. Please don't dismiss the auto' - false legs and clutch pedals don't mix for me!
They can be reliable, but ONLY if the oil is clean all the time. In all honesty it needs changing (oil and filter) every 6 months or roughly 2000 miles. Apart from that I've heard they make very a enjoyable, easy drive, and that the kick down action works well.
The other advantage is that many people don't fancy an Auto Mini, so you can usually pick one up quite cheap. Repairing and exchange items are quite hard to come buy. If you need to get one repaired, expect a bill north of £500, and the specialists that know how to repair them are getting fewer and fewer!
There is some fantastic technical advice about the auto box on this webpage: http://members.tripod.com/austin_america/id72.html
The other advantage is that many people don't fancy an Auto Mini, so you can usually pick one up quite cheap. Repairing and exchange items are quite hard to come buy. If you need to get one repaired, expect a bill north of £500, and the specialists that know how to repair them are getting fewer and fewer!
There is some fantastic technical advice about the auto box on this webpage: http://members.tripod.com/austin_america/id72.html
Well I'll pile in to this thread rather late and say that Mini Auto's are fantastic.
My wife has a 1275 injection auto which is an absolute hoot to drive, a very responsive box with a great manual override. I never understood the point to left foot braking before this but now I have seen the light. You can make the box change gear at will just by juggling the pressure on throttle and brake. I really believe that this box is better than a manual. All of them are 4 speed but I understand the last ones have beefed up forward/reverse clutches which are probably a good idea. You can spot these because they have a 'P' position on the selector.
The advice about oil is spot on. You need to use really boring 20W50 (Halfords classic is good) because modern oils play havoc with the gear selection. It is often a good idea to overfill (+10mm on the dipstick) otherwise the oil can drain out of the torque converter overnight and the first 500m the next morning have to be done at 3mph and 4000rpm. Not Nice.
Chris
My wife has a 1275 injection auto which is an absolute hoot to drive, a very responsive box with a great manual override. I never understood the point to left foot braking before this but now I have seen the light. You can make the box change gear at will just by juggling the pressure on throttle and brake. I really believe that this box is better than a manual. All of them are 4 speed but I understand the last ones have beefed up forward/reverse clutches which are probably a good idea. You can spot these because they have a 'P' position on the selector.
The advice about oil is spot on. You need to use really boring 20W50 (Halfords classic is good) because modern oils play havoc with the gear selection. It is often a good idea to overfill (+10mm on the dipstick) otherwise the oil can drain out of the torque converter overnight and the first 500m the next morning have to be done at 3mph and 4000rpm. Not Nice.
Chris
Edited by AnotherClarkey on Monday 15th September 22:11
you also need to let the oil warm up before drinving really, or at least take it steady for the first few miles, a mate of mine has a 64 auto and he says its a hoot.
technically your not stuck with an auto, i know of a guy who has no use of his legs and drives a manual mini, it has the throttle and brake controls on the wheel and uses a complex set of hydraulics to operate the clutch when he presses a lever on top of the gear lever.
he often usets bigger and better cars on trackdays with it............
i also have a customer who has lh leg issues and plumbed a remote brake servo into the clutch to make it very very light.
technically your not stuck with an auto, i know of a guy who has no use of his legs and drives a manual mini, it has the throttle and brake controls on the wheel and uses a complex set of hydraulics to operate the clutch when he presses a lever on top of the gear lever.
he often usets bigger and better cars on trackdays with it............
i also have a customer who has lh leg issues and plumbed a remote brake servo into the clutch to make it very very light.
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