5 replies to this topic

[skinnyminny]

Hi all!
Just logged on here as I'm heading out to see a mini on Thursday, hoping to achieve the dream of ownership! It's a 1987 Mini City 1000E and sounds as if it's in pretty good condition. My only concern is that it has an automatic gearbox. Has anyone experienced the auto gearbox? I've only ever driven modern manual cars so I think it might be a bit of a shock to the system - are there any tips from anyone? Should I run away screaming?!
Thanks in advance!
Lucy

[Dan]

The A series auto is a very good transmission, it's a 4 speed and always was despite more or less all auto cars being built when it was introduced being 3 speed. They demand regular servicing though and very frequent oil changes to keep them working right. They don't do well if mistreated so make sure to check how it behaves on a test drive very carefully. Check when it changes both up and down the gears in terms of engine speed and road speed when on the flat, and check that minor gradients don't make a difference. Then check how it behaves on hills. The changes should always be fairly smooth, not harsh and klunky. Check it pulls away smoothly and has no trouble with gradients. Check all the gears work and can be selected manually at the appropriate road speeds. Check reverse. Check any service history to make sure the oil has been attended to regularly. If it seems klunky, unrefined and stubborn don't let the seller convince you that 'Mini autos are just like that, it's an old design'. That's nonsense, if it feels wrong the car is broken!

If you are planning to swap it for a manual box though, it would be better to find a different car altogether. Unmolested auto Minis are becoming fairly rare these days.

[skinnyminny]

I'd definitely keep it as an auto, just for insurance reasons. The car has a fully documented service history and completed the Italian Job run to Turin earlier this year so I'm really hoping it should be fine. Thank you so much for the detailed reply, helps an idiot like me out a lot! I'll write myself a checklist haha! Thank you!

[minimanryan]

hi ive just bought a blue mini city its a automatic 3 spped ive heard stories that the four speeds struggle at 50 so was wondering what a 3 speed would do its staying a automatic so i want to know as there becoming rare i was not a barn find it was bought by a old man as new then someone else bought it hes had it a few years on his drive because he dident want to send logbooks of in his name as it would put another owner on it and then he sold it to a woman needing work she drove it in to the ground for 2 year till it ran out of etrithing mot and tax it still needs a bit of work as the work she has done is terrible the man went to colect it back and he just topped up the su and drove it he said it brought back the smile so it wasent a bag of spanners now it had sat on grass for a few week i thought it would be a rusty peice of junk but when i looked underneath i was supprised to see it all solid and mint with no rust but the floorpans are brand new still got the heritage stickers on it so there new he started it up first time on the key and it was not already running as the engine was stonge cold and covered in cob webs the same as the interior so i dont know he said he will put a mot on it and we could drive it home not to sure the police would be happy with that it looks rubbish but its solid so no fines i hope my mum has paid £800 for it so is this a good deal

[SA MINI]

hi ive just bought a blue mini city its a automatic 3 spped ive heard stories that the four speeds struggle at 50 so was wondering what a 3 speed would do its staying a automatic so i want to know as there becoming rare i was not a barn find it was bought by a old man as new then someone else bought it hes had it a few years on his drive because he dident want to send logbooks of in his name as it would put another owner on it and then he sold it to a woman needing work she drove it in to the ground for 2 year till it ran out of etrithing mot and tax it still needs a bit of work as the work she has done is terrible the man went to colect it back and he just topped up the su and drove it he said it brought back the smile so it wasent a bag of spanners now it had sat on grass for a few week i thought it would be a rusty peice of junk but when i looked underneath i was supprised to see it all solid and mint with no rust but the floorpans are brand new still got the heritage stickers on it so there new he started it up first time on the key and it was not already running as the engine was stonge cold and covered in cob webs the same as the interior so i dont know he said he will put a mot on it and we could drive it home not to sure the police would be happy with that it looks rubbish but its solid so no fines i hope my mum has paid £800 for it so is this a good deal

i have a 998 auto 4 speed that has never struggled at 50! its no different than a manual one

[SA MINI]

when you look at the car check if there's is any gearbox oil leak, this would generally get worse & worse over time & you never want to be low on oil as its used hydraulically so in effect the gearbox will not operate correctly.

as above make sure the gearbox is not clonky it is not uncommon to have a small clonk wen the car is changing down gear automatically though. when on test drive the reverse gear or 4Th gear should not slip at any time.

if you do purchase the car get a full oil change & filter done use 10w40 engine oil not 25-50 as people will reccomend.
10w40 is much more friendly on the clutch plates. also try & warm the engine up before use. a well maintained auto is a happy one good luck