There was a person on here who got the JCW steering wheel and such and added the paddles onto it, it can be done but for some reason it is not.

 

I had an 09 Justa and now drive an 08 MCS, both autos. I have always been an auto guy, and these cars remain fun with the auto. Like some other guys, my commute has a bunch of stop lights and some traffic, and I think that the third pedal would become a chore for me, but that is just my opinion.

The MCS has some significant throttle lag in certain situations, and sometimes it gets a bit annoying with the auto (example: coming to a stop light, almost stopped, then the light changes. It delays a fraction of a second then jumps ahead). I don't know if this is better with a manual or the newer models.

Bottom line: Drive the cars, don't let the auto scare you away. There is just something about driving a MINI, 2 pedals or 3.

Mike

 

How'd you get paddle shifters on a non-S? Read an article on yahoo. Manual transmission sometimes doubles as an anti-theft device. Since most Americans can't drive manual. They can't steal your car lol. I'm gonna visit the Manhattan mini dealer to test drive both manual and auto in the city. See how I like each one.

 

You need to read the Year correctly (2008), they stopped production of paddle shifters on an Autobox sometime in 2009, I don't know exactly when, I also have a 2008 (March 08 Build) w/Paddle Shifters!!

 

My understanding is that when MINI's are stolen they're flat bedded rather than driven away because the car won't start and can't be hot wired without the key fob. If that's the case, manual or auto wouldn't matter. I could be wrong about this, but that's what I've been told.

 

Oh I didn't know that. I went to miniusa and checked. Guess I'll be looking for a '08 used.

 

I have an 09 Justa with Paddles. I took delivery in March 09. I think Mini stopped offering paddles on the Justa a couple months later.

 

My 07 S is auto and I'm fine with it. No problems, shifts well and if I want a little more excitment I use the stick or paddle shifters. Manual is fun but after awhile it gets tiring shifting all the time.
If I were to run alot of rallies I'd probably want a manual but the auto fits my type of driving just fine.

 

As a new 2012 MCa owner I can say the auto is great! I'm a stick guy when it comes to sports cars, but I drove the MCS, MCSa, MC and MCa before choosing my DD option. In normal auto mode it's a little slushy, but no where near as bad as the 2002 Boxster S w/Tip I had.

In Sport Mode eveything changes. It holds the gears, down shifts when slowing/braking wonderfully. In fact, it has another great LA traffic function that I didn't realize when I bought it. You can put it in Sport Mode in stop and go freeway traffic and you barely even need to use the brakes, because of the way it downshifts for you (similar to Tow Haul Mode on a Ford F250 Pickup).

I wouldn't worry about getting paddle shifters, you still have the option to shift manually with the shifter +/-. I've heard pros/cons on the Mini paddles...

The 2012 is a 6 speed auto with (I'm assuming) their latest and greatest "coding". I have absolutely no regrets going auto, but have trouble NOT pushing the Sport Mode button and putting my foot into it constantly

 

I hate the autotragic that MINI has. They shift way too damn hard. They drag out 1st gear and then slam into 2nd gear. Every single one I have driven does that from r50s, r52s, r53s, r56 Cooper and S and the Countryman. I bought a used BMW that has an autotragic in it for my DD because yes driving in traffic sucks with a manual especially if you get a light weight flywheel and stiffer clutch. Even with that though it still shifts smoother then the automatic that MINI has. If that is what you want get it but if you like manuals you are going to be unhappy. BTW manual is a great theft deterrent as most people don't know how to drive them.








I am the 1% I am a stick shift snob.