Hello fellow enthusiasts...

New here and to the Mini world. I am and always have been a bit of automotive enthusiast. I have forever been involved and enjoyed the motoring community. I have always had my eye on Minis of old, and recently of new. Just never had a spot in my garage. Until now! I have just yesterday ordered a Clubman S. This will be my daily driver and need a bit more room to carry all my work “stuff” hence the “Clubman” What I have ordered is the White Silver edition with a few options…premium pkg, conv pkg + Mini connected, cold weather pkg, punch carbon black leather, anthracite headliner, auto diming mirrors and rear fog lamp.

Here is my Big issue...

I have been on the fence about transmission choices, manual or automatic. As this will be my daily driver, and I am on the road averaging 500 miles a week, mixed highway and in town. I have a few days to decide before the car goes into production. On one hand the manual has the “fun factor”; on the other hand, the automatic has its plusses in traffic, etc. (being in the congested SF Bay Area)

Any input/feedback would be appreciated.
Thx, Ron.

 

Perhaps the SF Bay geography better favors the automatic, but I don't think I'd ever purchase an automatic when given the option of a manual. Just something about a manual transmission that gets me going.



Congrats on the order!

 

Thanks for the quick response. I know whenever I can I do a manual trans as well. Something is keeps telling me to go auto. I do multitask (phone. notes, etc) while driving due to my job. I know I'll probably get some flak about this statement, but it's not all the time.

 

Have you test driven both? I would really suggest that.

The 'fun factor' of the manual coupled with the additional cost of the automatic really makes it an easy decision for me, too. But if you're in a lot of stop-n-go...that's not the kind of driving I do very often, but I think even if it were, I would likely opt for the manual because of all of those non-stop-n-go times.

 

I would have to say manual!!! I couldn't see having these cars in an Automatic. Yes in traffic a manual is rough but in the car it's a lot easier than being on a motorcycle in traffic. That really sucks!!! Plus I keep giving grief to a friend of mine that has a Mini in an automatic. (Sorry Yetti!!!!) LOL!!

 

I have driven both. the manual is more fun and may not be a big issue and what you say "those non-stop-n-go times" is very true! That being said the paddles on the auto add a bit of enjoyment and control, but it is an "automatic" if it was a "dual clutch system" I would not even be asking the question. I enjoyed driving the new VW GTI, BMW's M5, etc!

 

Does it seem, and I hesitate to say this..."a ladies car"?

 

I know I will probably hear it from people for this but to me it does seem like a "ladies car"!!! That's what I keep telling him!!!

 

I have both an automatic Justa Hardtop (the wife's) and a Hardtop S. I actually don't mind the automatic as it is fairly responsive, especially in Sport mode. Gets great mileage (27 around town and 40 on the road)

 

OK...this is getting good. Some positive feedback on an auto!
So are you really getting 40 mpg on the hwy? !!! What speed is that at +/-

 

40 mpg highway, I usually cruise about 70 which seems to be its' sweet spot. I drive pretty gently as a general rule.

 

wow...thats awesome! For me that would be almost 3 times better than my current dd. The fuel savings alone will help make the payment.

 

Those hills in SF are pretty steep...I would get the auto.

 

I did test drives of both auto and manual in "Justa" and "S" versions. I decided on a Justa Cooper (as I want the chance to get those near 40mpgs, which don't seem as likely in the "S" model). My own opinion was that in the base model, I needed the manual for it to be peppy enough. With the "S", I could have been happy with either transmission - lots of power even with the auto.

Your tradeoff between manual/auto in stop-and-go traffic is a personal choice. I am going back to manual after 9 years with an auto, and hope I don't find my periodic commute traffic too much a pain.

One other factor - it has been reported that the Japanese Tsunami has affected availably of the automatic transmission. Before you get your heart set that way, you might check with your MA to see if that is even an option right now.

 

True...but the fact is I live in the east bay and when I visit my customers in SF that would be mostly in the somewhat flater/lower areas. I see you are in the south bay. My travels for work are from Monterey/Salinas up to Eureka/Crescent City, but mostly throughout the greater bay area. Your's a manual too?

 

Good advice...And yes automatic trans as well as navi systems come from Japan and I was told will not be available for some time. That being said as we speak (or type) My dealer is locking in a trade for an alocation with auto and navi. The options can be changed to my likings.

 

by the way, congrats to you, looks like your's should be on the water!

 

The hill hold feature should help there if he doesn't know how to hold with the clutch yet.

 

Highly personal choice here... I would go manual no question despite the heavy traffic that I deal with and two somewhat screwed up knees. The MINI has a slushbox auto that is just too slow and annoying around town IMO (no SMG option). Maybe the S would negate that a little. I use mine in manual mode exclusively but it's just not the same.

My last car was a manual and stop and go traffic was tiring but the rest of the time it was a joy.

Having an automatic on my justa Cooper is torture. The auto box was a temporary accommodation for my better half - can't wait until the lease it up this year and I can get a manual back!

 

Had a 2010 MCS Auto loaner while defective tyres on mine were being replaced. Get the manual, HUGE difference

 

I had the same problem when I was shopping for a mini, and opted for the Auto because it is my daily commuter car and I sit in 2-3 hours of traffic (roundtrip) every day. This is insane to other people, but I live in LA and that's just how it is. My guess is that San Francisco is similar..

I'm sure that it is tons more fun as a manual, but the auto is plenty fun and it keeps me from tearing my hair out on those stop-and-go parts of my commute (which for me, is most of it).

 

Sounds like you really want the manual which is certainly not a bad choice. In Sport mode the 6 speed auto can hold its own pretty well with the manual. It's obviously a personal preference. My husband hates autos as he drives a '11 Corvette Z06 with a 6 speed manual, but says the auto in the "S" is actually a lot of fun.

 

I drove manuals since I was 15. I still love them but decided on an auto because the majority of my driving is in Miami rush hour which is absolutely brutal. On mine I have the steptronic mode which is a good compromise. When I want to have a little more fun I use that. When I'm in traffic, almost exclusively on full auto mode. BTW, sport mode makes a big difference too. Unless I'm on the highway and need 6th gear, I will usually be in sport mode.

For me given the amount of time I spend in traffic and the fact that driving in Miami, even when not in traffic, consists of only straight flat roads with no curves and nowhere to have any real fun driving, the auto was a no brainer.

If I lived in mountains or hills or anywhere with curvy roads or twisties and spent very little time in stop n go traffic I'd get a manual but it's pointless where I drive.

 

well hello everybody...just wanted to say thanks to all of you who replied. All the input was great and helped in making my choice. I went with the automatic. Now have to wait a few weeks to to get it.

happy motoring!
Ron.

 

Well it's built and waiting transport!

Now wait.