We have an 03 S that only has 31k on it with no problems but have been toying with the idea of getting a new S with the autostick. How is the build quality of the new generation? I think I will be disappointed with an auto but it is definitely easier for city driving. Anyone made the change. I really hate to let go of such a reliable early S.

 

If yours has been reliable and you are happy with it, then by all means keep it. However I recently made the switch from a 2003 MCS with 74k miles to a 2006 MCS and am remarkably happy that I did. It isn't simply the reliability that I was happier about (within the last year on my 03 MCS I had to get the steering column fixed, emergency brake lines replaced, a xenon headlight replaced, the panoramic roof was leaking and creaking, the car was shuddering when idling on hills and the driver side door power lock stopped working) but the fact that the 2005/2006 is a much better car. I stayed with a manual and the gearchanges are so much better, the fit and finish inside is better, the throttle response is better, the off-throttle burble and pop is intoxicating and there are so many small improvements like better motor mounts, better door hinges (my old ones were creaking), better power windows (The 02s and 03s were notoriously for having problems and mine would often stop working when it was above 90 degrees), better door lock mechanisms (in the winter my locks froze constantly which was improved in the newer models and eventually the driver side power lock stopped working all together), better rear control arms, better storage in the interior, etc. For a decent guide check out MotoringFile's Buyers Guide

My 2003 was reliable when it was young but over 60k miles and it was in the shop every 6-9 months. It is somewhat scary when your steering column starts to bind and not work or when the emergency brake line seizes and these are some of the decisions that led me to my new purchase. MINIs are expensive to maintain out of warranty. I've only had my 2006 for two weeks and I smile at how many little changes they've made to make it that much better. Now that I've done it, I wouldn't have done it any other way.

 

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions considering I just performed the switch, although I wouldn't be good at comparing to the auto although I have driven it.