R56 Automatic or manual
#1
Automatic or manual
I went to my local Mini dealership because they had a bunch of 2008 Cooper S loaners they were selling at a good price. Low mileage and now visible wear considering their use. But to my disappointment they were all automatics. I wanted a manual, but was wondering if anyone here drives an automatic S. I do sit in some stop and go traffic, but like the manual shifting in my 3 series regardless. Is there a consensus here regarding the type of trans this car should be driven with?
#2
Manual-hands down. Obviously a personal preference but I truly believe for the Mini's, the automatics lack control compared to the manual. Obviously if it had the same as some of the higher priced sport cars(heel toe's for you, downshifts for accelerations automatically, holds gears till redline, etc.), then the automatics would perform better.
#3
M6
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Not necessarily a hands-down.
I drive the boot off my 07 MCSa and I love it. I have the option of full auto or when I feel the twisties or the track, I can go full manual.
Use the paddles or the shifter, I prefer the paddles. Or I can leave it is DS with sport and concentrate on my driving.
Either way the MINI is great, but the new automatic is solid.
I drive the boot off my 07 MCSa and I love it. I have the option of full auto or when I feel the twisties or the track, I can go full manual.
Use the paddles or the shifter, I prefer the paddles. Or I can leave it is DS with sport and concentrate on my driving.
Either way the MINI is great, but the new automatic is solid.
#4
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Not necessarily a hands-down.
I drive the boot off my 07 MCSa and I love it. I have the option of full auto or when I feel the twisties or the track, I can go full manual.
Use the paddles or the shifter, I prefer the paddles. Or I can leave it is DS with sport and concentrate on my driving.
Either way the MINI is great, but the new automatic is solid.
I drive the boot off my 07 MCSa and I love it. I have the option of full auto or when I feel the twisties or the track, I can go full manual.
Use the paddles or the shifter, I prefer the paddles. Or I can leave it is DS with sport and concentrate on my driving.
Either way the MINI is great, but the new automatic is solid.
+1
#7
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#8
I wasn't sure about the auto but I really enjoy it..... I know it can shift faster too. Oh just for giggles....in track testing the auto is quicker in the quarter mile. Lack of control....not in my opinion. My .02 cents worth. Either way they are a blast!
Last edited by futuremini; 01-20-2009 at 07:12 PM.
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#19
I'll never understand why someone prefers to push a lever to shift. The seatbelt is enough for me to feel "connected". Or maybe just the feeling of plugging in the Ipod makes me feel connected... or better yet a thumbdrive. Could it be some prefer the smell of the clutch burning....??? Or maybe one's 0.001 second faster. Geezzz..... I think you should get both. That's what I would do.
#20
There is NO faster MINI than a MCSa in Sport mode. I grew up on manuals, and I still believe they are inherently slightly safer (you pick the shift points, and can kill power to the drive train). But I love my MCSa and I would never trade it for a manual.
Of course, you do have to consider that an automatic will cost more- both when you purchase the transmission type as an option and because it consumes slightly more fuel.
#21
REALLY Not true at all. It will not beat a manual factory JCW...and in the hands of a good driver I would pick the manual MCS over a auto MCS in a race on strip or track.....any day of the week.
#22