Greetings
I bought my MCs 08' in June 2012. It goes like this. I had put off buying a car for years. I could not stand the thought of having car payments! However, the 02' 325 BMW was giving out on me and repairs would be the value of the car. During the time I put off buying I decided it would be a Mini Cooper.

So I found a used MC at a dealership and decide to go for it. I was thinking price range and high gas mileage. To make the story short I found out later I had bought a MC Sport. I had no idea what MCs was at that time.

Wow! I was surprised at the car performance! I bought a rocket ship with all the options!

Now here is my dilemma and two questions for all of you. What is the technique for using the manual shift on an automatic transmission? What is the technique for using the paddle shifters on the steering wheel? I have not used the manual shifters since I bought the car.

 

Just learned today the full scoop from my dealer...even gave me the tracking of the exact ship when I asked him. Thanks MINI-Buddies for the assistance!!

From an Oct-20th order, 11/14 build completion, Transit from Graz to Bremerhaven, 11/29 depart port, now arrive 11/30 in South Hampton!!!

Should have my 2013 Countryman by Dec 23rd...in time for Christmas!

Here's a pic of my boat and MINI's in shipyard!

 

I think someone goofed here.

To the OP, I've tried using the manual shifters on my R58, but to be honest, 95% of the time, when in sport mode, the shifting is perfect. Most consider them a gimmick; I just don't use mine much (too busy holding on to the steering wheel, focusing on the feel of the road as I take a corner at "spirited" speeds ).


Congrats on your new (to you) MINI!

 

Welcome to the forums! You can often tell a CooperS from a Cooper by the slot (scoop) in the hood.

 

yes if its the sports mode then why bother with the manual shift Now on to the learning the steering wheel peddle shifters

 

When I was younger I would have obsessively researched the car I wanted to buy. Im 56, and have a very busy life. I was in a hard place of needing a car. With luck I bought a MCs without even knowing it.

 

In sport mode it'll never change up to 6th, not good for cruising. When I've been confronted with an auto MINI, I've put it in manual and treated it like a manual. We usually drive a manual, so there's no specific technique, you just shift when you would if you're driving a manual.

 

Since my wife can't drive a stick, I have been relegated to auto trans for my last view cars. All of them have had the trip-tonic shifting option, but I never really used it much. My last car was an Infiniti G37X Coupe, which would have been to shift manually, but I found that the auto shift actually worked better.

Since I got my MCS a couple weeks ago, I find that using the paddles, in sport mode, is quite fulfilling, especially on the twisty-curvies.