i am getting an automatic and was asked if i wanted the steering wheel with paddle shifters. i dont really think i will use it but it is free...so perhaps for resale value, should i get it? not sure if they are tucked away neatly or do they stick out? your input is appreciated.

 

The paddle shifters are inside the wheel and turn with it, placed just above the normally horizontal bar across the wheel just inside the rim. They don't stick out and are not really tucked away.

 

how many Minis have you looked at? just ask the salesman to show you one with the shifters. If you don't get them you will be making a big mistake and don't say you won't use them because once you do you will again.

 

I use mine a lot.

Even with the selector in automatic mode, the paddle shifters can be used to select the next lower or higher gear quickly, if needed. It makes the automatic much more flexible.

Dave

 

There may some real good reasons to use them, but I like pretending I'm Michael Schumacher!!!!

 

Aren't they standard? Ours were.

 

I thought they were standard on my 2011 CM-S. Once you try them passing a car or for quick acceleration you will use them often. They are not in the way to answer your other question. By all means get them.

 

They are standard and there is no reason to delete them. You did a test drive, didn't you? If you didn't notice them, well that's how unobtrusive they are.

 

The paddle shifters don't come on the non-S automatic MINIs anymore.

I read on these forums that there were some MINI Cooper S automatics that were assembled without the paddle shifters by mistake. Dealers are making it right, if the new owners notice.

Dave

 

definitely a must for the paddle shifters. Had them on my 09 MCSa and loved it.... I hope they don't make the same mistake with my CMSa that's on order .... definitely looking forward to playing with those paddles again on the twisties....

 

I just checked the build sheet on the CMSa I ordered, I don't remember asking for paddle shifters as I assumed they were standard with the automatic. I was glad to see the following:

2XA - Sport Leather Steering Wheel with Paddle Shifters

 

My 08 Cooper has them. They are cool, but for me they seem a bit silly. I only say that because I have other cars that are manuals and I don't know what to do with my foot
Beyond that, get them, they can only help resale value and when you use them, you may like them.

 

Same here, I don't have the CM yet but test drove a car with them once and also coming from a stick shift my timing was all out of whack, like your brain is telling you that there is a sequence of events needed to accomplish the task but now one key component is missing.

 

Paddle shifter are great. For passing press twice, drop down 2 gears you are gone. I loved them so much on my wife 05 mini S that I got them installed on my Nissan 350z.

 

Yes, even though I have automatic I always drive with the manual shift enabled and use them all the time.

 

Same. I got auto transmission but didn't know it was standard on my 2012 mini that should be here soon. Plus, I dont know how to use the shifters.

 

Don't worry, it'll take you about five minutes to get the hang of them, they're a blast!

Dave

 

Do you have to know how to drive stick to use paddle shifters? If so, I wont be touching them because I have no idea how to drive stick. I thought paddle shifters had to do with gear shifting. Who knows?

 

The Cooper Countryman(non S)i test drove Saturday also has them.

 

You don't have to know, but it helps. If it makes you feel better the car won't let you do anything stupid like shift down and over rev the engine, or stall the car because you left it in too high a gear coming into a red light.

The computer has a range that is acceptable for each gear, you stay in the range the computer lets you have at it, you go outside it and the computer takes over.

So think of them as 'Go fast paddles' if you want to accelerate faster then what the gas pedal alone is doing for you. Press forward!

 

Thanks J.Eaton for the helpful information. Maybe ill play with it when i get my car soon. I like to go fast so once I get those "go fast paddles" down ill be ready to hit the pavement and tear up the roadway! hehe

 

U will get more fun out off them in Sport mode.