Which is smarter, paddles or no paddles?

If I understand Mini's configurator correctly, adding the automatic transmission to an MCS costs $1,250. But, if you want the paddles feature you must also add a fancier steering wheel. Trans + paddles + steering wheel now adds $1,750 to the cost (instead of $1,250).

Since that "multifunction" feature is already included on the MCS steering wheel, the extra $500 brings only the paddles, as I see it.

So, is there anything else included with paddles? Does the base auto trans still have a Sport mode and is it manually shiftable using the shift lever? If so, I believe I'd prefer to save the $500. (For me paddles are good, but not that good).

 

I think you have the picture correct, you only get the paddles, you can still shift with the lever. You always get Sport mode. I got the paddles for free with my AT and rarely use them. Save your money. What I found by driving my friends F56 is her car wants to be one gear higher than mine at any given speed. It want's to be at a lower RPM. I guess that's to get better mileage. In my 2007 manual around town I was never higher than 3rd gear. Hers was usually in 5th even in the Sport mode.

 

Yes, with the regular auto you can move the shifter sideways which uses different shift programming (and sharper throttle response). It will shift a little later and usually stays 1 gear lower than if it was in Drive. Also, you can rotate the ring for sport mode which will give you the different shift programming along with heavier steering and the stiffer shock setting if you have DDC.

I've never found manually shifting an auto to be much fun though... but that's why I have a manual

 

I love my paddles. I use them often.

 

Is there no other difference in the transmissions? Because it seems to be suspect to claim a $250 difference in price per the configurator, then tack on yet another $250 for the steering wheel w/paddles.

 

Adding the paddles will also get you the Sport Auto transmission which has faster shifting and also has launch control.

 

I didn't know that, but it makes sense you outta get something more for $500 besides paddles. I'd make it a point to drive one of those before I bought one because it was a little weird to be in 5th gear on level ground going 43 MPG when I drove my friends' F56 recently. In my manual I wouldn't hit 5th until I was going over 60.

 

Get the paddles. I use them 100% of the time. Makes the auto much more fun to drive. They are really expensive if not impossible to add later.

 

Is "Sport Auto" a different transmission or simply a setting. If a setting, is it available only with the paddles, or regardless of paddles?

If with the paddle option the actual auto trans is different and "better", then its extra cost is more justifiable. And if there are better settings available only with the paddles, that too is a vote in its favor.

So what, beside the paddles themselves, do you get for the extra $500? Better trans? Better settings? Or neither?

 

So even though I have the sport option in my auto transmission, and my owners manual gives me the steps for launch control, I don't really have that because I don't have paddles? Not that I really care, I've not even tried launch control, but it's cool to know I have it if I ever wanted to try it.

Maybe I'll find a parking lot tomorrow . . .

 

Anytime I read a thread about the auto transmission my mind wanders and I remember how superior the VW DSG was *sigh* .... other than that the car is wonderful in every way! I'm a big fan of the paddles though for the quick downshifts - I would say the paddles are more important to me than say, the cornering lights, or the backup camera...

 

It's a different transmission, though I believe it mechanically the same, it has different programming to shift faster. Paddles automatically come with it and cannot be ordered separately.

If you don't have the paddles, you do not have the Sport auto and hence, no Launch Control. The standard auto will still have a M/S mode though.

 

Sport Auto w/paddles and the JCW wheel is absolutely worth it. I just had a loaner that had the regular auto, no paddles, and the normal wheel. Definitely didn't feel as sporty. The normal wheel is thinner, doesn't have the same weight/feel that the JCW wheel has. Driving it in Sport mode felt more sluggish as well, you can really feel the difference in the shift points/shift speed compared to the Sport Auto w/paddles.

 

My last car, an R50, had paddles that were not connected, I never did get them connected in the 6 years, but I had always planned to. I assumed I was getting paddles in the new F56 3-cylinder. Oh well, maybe in my 2019 Rocketman/MINI Minor.

$500 would be worth it for paddles alone.