i actually don't plan on racing the mini. I'm not gutsy for that.
I just want to have a fun car i can drive almost everyday to and from office & have a blast on occasion on the mountain twisties (once in a blue moon).
years ago when buying cars, i would dread NOT to have a manual tranny, but a mini might be an exception.
again, it all depends on what i find on the used market (manual or auto).
In terms of maintenance, wouldn;t the auto warrant more due to more electronics ?
By the way, i did notice a sport button on the automatic R56. Does the manual tranny R56 have a sport button too ?

 

The Aisin auto on the R56 has been super reliable from what I've seen and read, and is no costlier to maintain than any other automatic.

And yes, the standard shifter does have a Sport button, every NA MINI model does.