I was driving around the hills in SF this weekend. I didn't have a problem with getting a stop sign at the top of every hill. The hill assist or hand brake techniques worked fine to prevent roll-back. I did notice that drivers tended to stay back a bit, however. I wonder if it was a benefit of having the "Manual" badge on the back?
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...p/photo/106185

 

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No regrets here for getting the manual gearbox after the first 700 miles of ownership. It is smooth, fun, and easy to get going, with no stalls from either driver. Neither of us cares much about quick starts so that is not an issue.

 

I'm 100% Satisfied with the manual in my car... I know there are some people that don't like theirs, but I haven't had 1 issue (8,000 miles), and I love the hill assist feature.

Kyle

 

I've had only 1 Auto since I was a teenager and it was just a bummer to drive. I get stuck in bumper to bumper traffic regularly on my 40 mile (each way) commute and yeah, that can be a bummer, too. But, when the stars align and I get to wind up the curvy roads alongside the river at night, with the lights of the city in the background and no traffic or lights to stop me, it's complete magic and makes having a stick totally worth it to me.

 

Love the paddle shifters on my auto. Blip them down twice and your rocket back in your seat.

 

Auto with Steptronic.. totally happy. I sit in way too much traffic to be happy with a manual. But the auto/Step setup is pretty darn spiffy!

 

Every car & truck I've had for the last 20 years has been a stick shift, but living in Seattle the roads are falling apart and I'm spending more time stuck in stop and go traffic, thus an R60 w/ an auto's starting to look like a good replacement for my R56.

My biggest worry is how the auto in the All-4 S will handle some extra power if I tune the Countryman like I've done w/ my R56 S. I've got my motorbike for ripping around on, but it's unlikely be able to resist the mod bug for too long.

 

My 6spd has been great and easy to drive so far

 

a good friend of mine owns a transmission repair shop

he knows i keep cars for years, last one 1997 gmc sonoma v6 5speed manual 4x4 with 287,000 miles

i test drove both cms, auto and manual, and really liked the auto when in manual/sport button mode

i asked my friend about the aisin and he said that it is not for me if i plan on keeping the cm (i do...15 years or more)

he says he cannot buy all the parts necessary to do an overhaul as aisin do not sell them, says they are 100k mile transmissions, especially if driven hard

he also brought up the inability to completely drain the fluid, only 2 1/2 qts comes out out of 6 or 8 quarts, also stating "lifetime fluid means the lifetime of the warranty"

for me that was the killer on the auto, tho i admit it was fun to drive

scott

 

Very interesting. Now if only the clutch action on mine were consistent and smooth, especially after 15K miles, I'd be more enthusiastic about my manual.

 

From what I have heard, Aisins can be maintained well by either complete power flushing at around 40-50K intervals (I think Toyota recommends this), or much more frequent drains/refills to get some new fluid into them. This is from experience with these transmissions used on Volvos (which also claim lifetime fill...).

But still enjoying my manual gearbox & clutch!

 

accordding to my buddy, there are many variants of the aisin, each with unique parts and other differences...

the version used by mini is the worst for fluid change ... he specifically says you cannot powerflush the mini version and that anyone claiming they can is just taking your money

my buddy also is recommending doing the 2 1/2 qt change every 5k miles IF YOU PLAN ON KEEPING THE CAR

ymmv ... it's a free country

scott

ps my 91 yo dad's mini countryman s all4 has the auto and we (meaning me) are going on the 5k trans fluid and engine oil change schedule

 

Too bad that flushing doesn't work. It sounds like a good plan for owners with the auto to just do the trany drain every time engine oil is changed.

 

Seems like replacing the clutch helped a lot - at least in this review:

http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews..._march_update/

 

As mention prior in this thread it's a matter of personal preference.

I'm "uber-glad" I bought mine w/manual. Today was a testimonial. I dropped mine off at Motorwerks for A/C check and chrome update (chrome scuttle housings) and was given a base Countryman w/auto. Granted, no turbo & fwd but that automatic couldn't get out of it's own way, yet alone anyone elses. It was gutless compared to the auto All4 I drove when test driving. I would've seriously considered an auto trans if I had alot of bumper to bumper driving, but the manual makes my commute a treat.

 

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I just bought an auto Countryman, my 1st ever auto in 40 years of driving. The auto trannies are getting pretty good these days. I'm impressed. Also, I did not like the feel of the CM manual clutch on the "S" version I tested. Weird feel and engagement point.....It was unlike any manual truck, car, or motoorcycle I've ever driven. The reports here on early clutch failure just reinforced my decision. I will miss the manual, decidedly, but not THAT much.

 

Having this post show up in my inbox was very timely.

I had gotten so tired of the manual transmission in my CM that I've ended up moving on!

I traded in my CM, and I am now the very happy owner of a 2011 BMW 335d! For those of you who follow that model, you know that it is only available in the US with an automatic.

Had always wanted a diesel, although I'd be hard-pressed to verbalize why. Now I'm no longer frustrated with a car that wasn't as fun to drive as it should've been. And that is just my opinion, before I start a war <grin>!

If you've bought a used pure red MINI CM All4 from the MINI dealership in Mt. Laurel NJ, it was likely mine! VIN is WMWZC5C57BWM10231.

 

just did a cursory look but didn't find anything.

has anyone installed the firmer torque arm bushing? did it significantly firm up the clutch engagement?

 

That's funny. I did the same thing, for the same reasons, only I bought a 2011 X5 35d. I don't think I'll ever go back to a gasoline engine. And diesel is cheaper than premium and about the same as plus here.

 

I liked the clutch and shifter far better on our R53, and especially after hearing of all the clutch issues would have opted for the auto unit. But my GF drives the car far more than I do, and has a strong preference for manual transmissions. She says she has no issue with the clutch and shifter, and fortunately after 5k miles we have had no clutch issues or smells, despite starting on some steep hills and driving in heavy New York City traffic.

 

I only buy cars with manual transmissions for multiple reasons that many you already know. When buying the countryman we didn't even both test driving the auto. I know I didn't want it, even if I will be in traffic.

In bumper to bumper traffic a manual is easy. You all might already do this but for those with a manual and tired foot in traffic follow these steps.

1) leave so space, at least a car length so when the person in front of you stops and goes, stops and goes, you can maintain a speed a bit lower and will not have to clutch in / clutch out. The object is keep a slow constant speed the whole time.

2) Use your engine break. Come off the throttle, keep the clutch out and don't use your breaks. Once your RPM gets too low then clutch in.

3) if you are stopped for a long period or are coasting to a stop, put the car in neutral and let your foot off the clutch. Then when you go again, then depress the clutch etc.

I have driven in traffic lots of times, sure an auto would be easier but having to deal with the slush box all the time to save a tiny bit of effort in traffic is not worth it.

My countryman is still very new about 500 miles and the clutch has broken in nicely. It has a reliable grab point and it is nice and smooth, with consistent feedback. I would guess MINI updated the clutch because I have no problems with it.

 

I never had any problems with my clutch either... Even starting off on really steep hills. No complaints

Kyle

 

I wasn't certain whether to go with an automatic either. I got so tired of stop and go traffic, thought i did do all of the things Drnickm53 suggested in my previous cabrio. But I decided to go with a manual anyway after test driving an automatic a few times. My previous car was a BMW 330xi automatic and I just didn't feel like I could really have fun with the car. I just like the control I guess. Traded in the BMW and my CM now has 13K+ and no problems with the clutch.