R56 How Many of You Have a 6 Speed Manual?
#1
How Many of You Have a 6 Speed Manual?
Hello all,
I live in So Cal and using I-405 to home/work. It is about 80% freeway and 20% local. In the morning is OK to me, but little traffic in the afternoon on the freeway. Local drive is OK almost every time.
I would like to go with 90% 6 speeds manual, but 10% Auto. Could you give a little advice to decide?
Thanks in advance.
ps: I did not mention it. I am thinking about 2008 MCS hardtop
I live in So Cal and using I-405 to home/work. It is about 80% freeway and 20% local. In the morning is OK to me, but little traffic in the afternoon on the freeway. Local drive is OK almost every time.
I would like to go with 90% 6 speeds manual, but 10% Auto. Could you give a little advice to decide?
Thanks in advance.
ps: I did not mention it. I am thinking about 2008 MCS hardtop
Last edited by spam.at.trash; 12-26-2007 at 09:32 AM. Reason: added car type
#6
Definitely 6 speed. My commute is about 80% highway and typically a few bad spots of traffic. Even in the worst traffic, I wouldn't trade it for an auto. I didn't try the auto with paddles in the R56 but did check out the vaunted DSG in a GTI and found it to be lacking in more sedate driving, in terms of responsiveness and smoothness. Besides, the 6 speed saves you money for either other options or mods.
#7
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#9
I live south of you in north inland San Diego county and do the 15 south each morning in heavy traffic. I've got a 6 speed manual. Even commuting in traffic, the MCS is more fun to drive than any other car I've ever owned. It's like the car is reminding me that it's only a little longer until we reach the curvy roads...
Last edited by Tomasthanes; 12-26-2007 at 11:26 AM.
#11
My first R56 was a MT; my second is an AT ---- I prefer the AT in Atlanta traffic.
I'm 6'5" and have long legs. Although the seat moves back enough for legroom, the steering wheel doesn't telescope enough and I had to keep the seat forward; my knees would hit the steering wheel any time I drove in a zesty manner.
You'll get better fuel economy with the manual but, anybody that says that you lose your visceral connection with the car from the AT hasn't lived with this AT. Don't judge the R56 AT by previous incarnations; it rocks.
I'm 6'5" and have long legs. Although the seat moves back enough for legroom, the steering wheel doesn't telescope enough and I had to keep the seat forward; my knees would hit the steering wheel any time I drove in a zesty manner.
You'll get better fuel economy with the manual but, anybody that says that you lose your visceral connection with the car from the AT hasn't lived with this AT. Don't judge the R56 AT by previous incarnations; it rocks.
#14
Absolutely right! Automatic was never an option for me. I actually passed up quite a few R53s on the lot because them were automatic, even though they had all of the other options I wanted. I wound up ordering instead (R56).
#16
If your numbers are right, you will be disappointed 90% of the time with the automatic. I'd go with the stick shift. You'll figure out tricks to make stop and go traffic not so painful.
My wife's Cooper is an auto and she loves it and I secretly like playing with the sport mode shifting thingy
My wife's Cooper is an auto and she loves it and I secretly like playing with the sport mode shifting thingy
#17
#19
#20
I think that much like the color of your car, the manual vs. automatic decision is one that you ultimately need to experience and decide upon for yourself. I drove automatics for my first 13 years behind the wheel, but the last five have been manning the stick. I spend a lot of time driving in the mountains and no time driving in stop-and-go traffic, so getting the 6-speed was a very easy decision on my part. Your decision, however, is a personal one. Hopefully you can test drive both and make an informed decision that you're happy with long-term!
Best luck,
~Neal
Best luck,
~Neal