'The Set' - 850, 1000, 1275

[tony105]

Hi Everyone, Roger here (aka Tony 105) I thought it might be interesting to start a discussion on what I've called 'The Set' - what I mean by this is the engine sizes that have been available with automatic transmission to our beloved Mini.

I personally have owned and driven only 998, and 1275cc Minis (and owned 1275 automatic Metro's too). I have found both the 998 and 1275 to have been wonderful little units but of course to have differences.

Firstly, I wonder if any of our members have experience of owning/driving the 850, 1000 and 1275?

Although it could be argued that the automatic transmission remained fundamentally the same throughout production - it was of course subject to improvements and continual change - even toward the later stage of production I wonder how the change from 1.3 carb' model Mini's to 1.3 injection may have changed things?

I'd love to hear from owners of all models and in particular anyone who has owned an 850 automatic.

[dustydog]

Hi I own a mk1 850 auto, all original although a bit rough now. As for driving it's a bit sluggish when cold but once warmed up is quite sprightly. It's got hydrolastic suspension so is fairly comfy and will sit at 60mph all day and I've had it up to 70mph when overtaking. So far in my ownership it's been very reliable but it's not an everyday car and I can honestly say I wear a big grin whenever I drive it.
Mark

[jockduck]

Hi, I have only driven a 998 auto and its always fun, I can remember comments by boy racers back when automatic minis were new that 850's were slugs which was certainly unkind and missing the point, I am reading Michael Palins diaries at the moment and he had an automatic mini and loved it. I owned an 1100 manual mini and was always amazed at the torque no wonder it had no trouble hauling the ADO 16 around, a 998 in a mini was as fast as the 1100 but needed an bit more revs, I have never driven a 1275 but I would nominate the 998 as the best all round A series motor.
Jock