13 replies to this topic

[Hey Mcfly]

So I'm in the process of looking at two different Mini's. Ones Auto and the other is Stick. Is a Mini even worth getting if it's Auto?

Cheers,
Justin

[lindy119]

Manual. Simple as I think. Autos are for the octogenarians or the lazies IMO and you have a lot more fun in a manual anyway!

[AVV IT]

Is a Mini even worth getting if it's Auto?

Yes...... so long as you have the time, money, skill and inclination to convert it to manual that is!!

[ShoutforJoy]

It's interesting when this type of question comes up how many of the 'manual' brigade have never actually driven an auto yet still feel qualified to comment. I have driven both and can happily say that there's nothing wrong with automatic minis. They can be just as much fun to own and drive as their manual counterparts. There are a number of younger drivers on here (under 20) that have autos and they're quite happy with them. Go and have a test drive in them both and then make your own mind up.

With automatics you do tend to get more mini for your money, lower mileage and in better nick. And they haven't been thrashed to within an inch of their life. The only thing to watch is the condition of the transmission, make sure that it is not slipping and that the changes are smooth.

[Andywade]

as your daily drive an auto is perfectly fine - My daily drive (not a mini) is an auto and to be honest its great very relaxing to drive dont have to worry about stalling or anything like that.

For any kind of 'sport' driving a manual is more fun though

[Tupers]

Dad used to have a late 1275 automatic Mini that I drove a few times and I can honestly as I loved it. I'd recommend is that you get any auto Mini checked out by an auto specialist before buying though. If the auto box in a Mini goes wrong it tends to go wrong in a big way.

[Hey Mcfly]

Thanks for all your input guys. I'm gonna consider them both. The auto is a lot nicer and cheaper but I've never had a manual car and was wanting the Mini to be my first but we'll see.

Are there usually more problems mechanically with an Auto Mini than a manual one?

[Guess-Works.com]

I assume you're not UK located, which leads me to one very important point...

Although there is nothing wrong with Auto minis they are very susceptible to poor maintenance and a transmission problem will usually spell the end of life of the vehicle, certainly as an Auto... reason being, auto transmissions for the mini are VERY expensive to recondition, double if not treble the cost of a manual.

If you do opt for an auto, change the oil frequently, every 1500 to 3000 miles, this may seem overkill, but £50 worth of oil pre year is better than a > £1k bill to recondition the transmission.

[Hey Mcfly]

I assume you're not UK located, which leads me to one very important point...

Although there is nothing wrong with Auto minis they are very susceptible to poor maintenance and a transmission problem will usually spell the end of life of the vehicle, certainly as an Auto... reason being, auto transmissions for the mini are VERY expensive to recondition, double if not treble the cost of a manual.

If you do opt for an auto, change the oil frequently, every 1500 to 3000 miles, this may seem overkill, but £50 worth of oil pre year is better than a > £1k bill to recondition the transmission.

You're right. I'm located in Japan. Mini's are not really that rare here but being a European car the parts are pretty scarce.

I think I'm going to get the manual one. The dollar over here sucks to the yen rate right now so it would cost me an arm and a leg to fix a auto Mini if it's even possible.

[mab01uk]

You're right. I'm located in Japan. Mini's are not really that rare here but being a European car the parts are pretty scarce.

I think I'm going to get the manual one. The dollar over here sucks to the yen rate right now so it would cost me an arm and a leg to fix a auto Mini if it's even possible.

The biggest market for automatic Mini's in the later years of production was for Japan.
There was a feature in one of the Mini mags recently showing special Japanese made parts to allow the auto A series engine to be adapted for use with a replacement manual gearbox as there were so many secondhand auto Mini's there with a failed autobox otherwise beyond economic repair.

[Cooperman]

I love big-engined cars with auto boxes for ordinary road use, but for small cars, and especially Minis, for me a manual is the way to go.

[Hey Mcfly]

The biggest market for automatic Mini's in the later years of production was for Japan.
There was a feature in one of the Mini mags recently showing special Japanese made parts to allow the auto A series engine to be adapted for use with a replacement manual gearbox as there were so many secondhand auto Mini's there with a failed autobox otherwise beyond economic repair.

Thanks for the knowledge. More of a reason to get a manual.

by the way, where can I get a subscription to a Mini mag? Online?

[mab01uk]

by the way, where can I get a subscription to a Mini mag? Online?

This magazine is free to download and covers both classic and new Mini's:
http://www.love-mini.co.uk/issues

[Hey Mcfly]

by the way, where can I get a subscription to a Mini mag? Online?

This magazine is free to download and covers both classic and new Mini's:
http://www.love-mini.co.uk/issues

Cheers mate. I wish I could read it now but since I work for the government they block the website because of the .uk. Bummer