I have yet to drive the automatic, but I was able to drive the stick and loved it. However due to la traffic I am pushing away from the stick and am thinking about the automatic. I would like to road course the car, and I realize I would be giving away some efficency horsepower, but would it be all that sugificent in the endrun?

Also, how is the feel of the automatic?

Thanks

 

I deal with the San Diego commute - at least 45 minutes to 1 1/2 hours each way (for a 20 mile drive) and opted for the manual. I could not justiy a bit of displeasure durring commute compared to the pleasure achieved with weekend driving. Plus, it keeps me awake...

 

hollis3 is right, if you have any interest in racing, the stick is the way to go. plus, u could spend that extra bit of cash you save from not getting the auto for all sorts of fun mods

 

From what I hear the steptronic paddles can shift faster than manual.. this is just what I heard however.

 

The only mod I would idealy think about is the JCW package. However, If the auto can shift just as fast in manual mode, it would make it a bit easier. Idealy I want a "track car" I can give in the city and on the freeway if I want to.

 

Hey brother!

I got the 6-speed stick and even with the pain-in-the you know what Honolulu traffic it's not that bad at all.

I tried the Steptronic trans last July when I was shopping for my MINI and it was like just too wierd.

Auto transmissions do have their place in life especially in a police chase. It's much easier to concentrate on your escape route and course without dealing with the multiple up and down shifts. Not that I would know ANYTHING about that at least not since high school !

Aloha!

JCW04

 

I know all about the honolulu traffic bra, but I still think LA is the worst. Damn 405. I have a steptronic on the X3 right now, so I am used to it. However I am woundering how it feels on a mini. Is it something that would negatively affect the minis performance drastically or something that could be deblt with pretty well. As far as it goes, I would rather not have to worry about changing the clutch and what not =). I don't care about doing burnouts, I care about the following things.

Being on a moutain road and the car handling well.
Being able to take the car on the track and play around on fast turns.
I'm not looking to be a first place finisher, just a casual player to have some fun.
The ability to not modify the car if i see fit
The ability to take the car to the work and drive on the freeway.
Good gas mileage.

Thats about it, in my crazy life. As long as this car could give me a grin and lots of smiles per mile, I am content in life .

 

No auto shifts as fast or accelerates as fast as a good manual with a good driver. Tracking an auto car would be sort of a waste.

 

I beg to differ when it comes to alot of the more advanced paddle shift systems, and sequential gears... I've never run one or against one but I hear they are mean.

 

I'm hoping to get this back on track, rather than an auto bash bring in some usful infomation if any of you have it.

 

I think you'll find loyalty to both here. I've tracked my CVT and did well (not to mention have a blast). I got blow away by a tricked MCS and I blew away some MCS's myself. The MINI is MAINLY about handling. I know I'll get razzed but there is NO DIFFERENCE in handling auto v. manual. (OK...If you are Mark Chiles I guess you might be able to tell a difference). I find the CVT gives you a lot of options and different techniques to try. A skilled driver with a MC CVT can keep up with a manual S in the hands of a novice.

I think the main thing to avoid is thinking the auto is "dull" or "non-responsive". It is neither! But it is DIFFERENT. If you are just comparing MC's, there is very little if any performance difference in the auto v. manual. If you are concerned with the "best" available performance - get an S. (Then that brings on the whole thing of an auto S). Anyway, not trying to start a fight, just encourage you to get what YOU want. I think either way you'll have a blast.

 

well it would definetly be an S, now with the availablity of the auto it just makes it more difficult to decide.

The color is picked out, green with black

 

If that's true why do dragsters us autos?

Earl

 

Are we talking Formula One cars? Show me the 0-60 times from a magazine that show an automatic faster than the same car (and engine) with a manual. :smile:

 

FynHawaiian-

I did the 405 last September and well . . . you are right, it bites big time! I'll take our traffic here anyday even coming out of Ewa! After being stuck on that freeway all afternoon I feel for ya bro!

I met a guy at our MINI dealer yesterday who just bought an '05 S with steptronic. He's breaking it in right now and will be joining us for a dealer cruise on Sunday. I'll point him towards this thread.

Aloha!

JCW04

 

FlynHawaiian,

05' MCS with auto and paddleshifters? Go for it!
Excellent auto smoothness and will do fine on the track as long as you know how to get the most out of the auto Sport drive or manual modes.

In heavy traffic (405 =YUK, I lived in LA for four years) and for ease of use for other family members to drive (wife and kids when ready) the auto can't be beat.

If you are looking for a great autocross car for you then the 05' MCS with LSD is the way to go. Both these can add JCW kit so no problem there.

In either case YOU WIN.

No worries. "Lattas brah"

 

The Cooper S with the automatic transmission reaches a top speed of 220 km/h which is 2 km/h less than the manual. The dash to 100km/h (0-62mph) takes 7.9 seconds, compared to 7.2 for the manual... that is the steptronic in automatic mode... not using the paddles, and the difference is .7 of a second. So using the paddles I dunno. I don't have time to search on a topic like this, but I do believe the gto got faster times with the auto... I think there are benz that do too among others. I personally don't like auto but alot of the cars with these performance auto and paddle shifter thingys are quick.

 

Rather than look at 0-60 times and expect better results I have found the following to be true.

If you have a MINI that is reasonably well set up- as is the case with either the MCS with manual and LSD or the MCS with auto and paddle shifters, then the level of your driving skill will play a bigger role on total performance than anything else.

A good driver with either car can drive the pants off a less skilled driver in a superior car any day of the week. The faster 0-60 times are nice but don't make up for over braking or taking the wrong line through a fast corner. You'd be loosing seconds at every moment from making errors faster than you could accelerate to make up for it.

Seek the car that offers you better balance for your driving style. One that is easy to operate at dual levels both on the street for commuting and on the track for performance. There in lies the elegant solution that we have all found, the MINI.

 

I was told you can't get the JCW package with the Auto.. the auto can't handle the horsepower and torque that package has to deliver.

 

Perhaps it is wishful thinking but I was told that there would be a JCW kit for the auto MCS but not officially until about May of 2005. I have my fingers and toes crossed so it must be "true". I have also heard the opposite so we will just have to wait for the gods of MINI to speak to us when the time is ready.

MCS auto doesn't have the LSD option for sure.

 

BTW, how are you sure it was automatic mode? Did it say that?

 

Thanks guys for the meaningful talk about this issue. It seems like we have some really really good information here. Now, if we can get a full confirmation that the JCW package will be offered I think the auto will be the way I will go in this situation.

 

yes it did say on the motoring file site.

 

You're kidding right?

 

Just for the record, the Ferrari 360 Modena Challenge Stradale (the road going version of the race version of the road car...got that?) is only availiable with shift paddles. Someone in Ferrari must think the paddles work just fine

If you dont think you can deal with a manual in traffic, dont think that the automatic won't make your car trackable. Your personal time difference on track with a manual vs. an automatic will be nominal, especially once you figure out how the automatic shifts. If you took someone with no automatic experience and put them in an automatic (same car) on the track you would see their times suffer, but if you know your car you'll do just fine