New here and have some questions

[thinker]

Hello. Apparently I messed up and didn’t introduce myself first.

My name is Craig and there is a 94 Mini that the wife and I are looking at buying. I have no experience with classic Minis but have owned new MINIs since 2004.

What are the things I should be looking for with an automatic?
Do they share the same oil as the manuals?
If they have their own fluid, what is recommended?
Are leaks a problem?
Repairs easily done at home or is it something a shop should always do?
Thanks
Craig

[jockduck]

Hi and welcome, I saw your first post and decided to let someone else pick it up but it did not happen, Automatics do use the same oil in the engine and box there is plenty of opinions of what oil to use on this site that you can look up. Basically a decent test drive is required to give some confidence that the car is worth buying, the autobox is either good or not there really is nothing much in between a car that shows signs of slipping in gear is only going to get worse and the fix is expensive, If a car drives well changing gear smoothly and not flaring between changes, a test drive should be with the car cold and fully warmed up.
if the box needs much work its an engine out job, if you can work successfully on engines and manual gearboxes then the autobox is not difficult you need a good manual and you may have to source/make some special tools. I don't know where I could get someone here in Australia to work on my car you might have more access to experts where you are, my car leaks oil a bit, there are just so many opportunities for for the oil to get out. I love my 1968 Minimatic and enjoy driving it greatly, Jock

[mra-minis]

I can be contacted on [e-mail]

Hi Craig welcome to the Auto Mini Register, I am sure I speak for everyone when I say help is in abundance if you need it