Hey folks,

I have a 2006 MCSa, which I love very much but which is sitting in a garage for a year as I've moved abroad for work. I will be returning home next summer and am looking forward to driving my MINI again. Here's the thing...while living here in Africa, I have finally learned how to drive manual and I love it! I used to use the clutchless gear shifting all the time when driving the MCSa, and was often disappointed by the shifting (when both me and the computer anticipated a downshift, if I didn't hit it off early enough, I would find the car forceably downshifting on top of my downshift, going from say 3rd to 1st...very annoying). Question is...what would it take to replace my automatic transmission with a manual one on my MCSa? Is it possible to do (is this something the dealer would do?), how much would it probably cost me, and, more importantly, is it even worth messing with? Would like to hear what people think. Thanks!

 

i haven't priced it but knowing this car it's going to be a massive under taking. I'd assume you're better off selling your car and finding a manual you like and taking the few k hit you have to take on depreciation.

 

MUUUUUCCCCHHHH better to sell the car and buy a manual. Both financially and in terms of the trouble it will prevent...

 

Definitely easier and cheaper to sell the MCSa and buy a MCS. Best of luck.

 

Trade -In

 

I don't even want to think about what that would cost or entail.

 

Thanks, I get the picture. Yeah, I've been considering selling it and going for one of the R56's...but I might just deal with the automatic for a couple of years and get a manual when they do a refresh on the R56 in 2010 or so.

 

Get the R53 MCS! I was floating the same boat a year back and I had an 06 MCSa modded with JCW CAI and Milltek exhaust. Unfortunately (or it possibly could have been a blessing in disguise) it got totaled in an accident and I had the decision to go for the 07 R56 or 06 R53 manual. After driving both, it was crystal clear to go with the R53. The manual felt as good as the MSCa after the mods. I was so surprised at how much more aggressive the manual felt. The new car as well as BMW in general are starting to get watered down, only the R53 can satiate the needs of a MINI enthusiast.

 

back in school we had an instructor who swore by never buying a brand new model . "let um get the bugs out" he'd say . so you're wise to wait . just go to 2nd gen forums and look at their issues .

 

SO TRUE.

Wait til mid 08 for R56 JCW 2nd generation and trade in yours.

 

It would be a financial nightmare doing the conversion. Like the others say sell a buy a standard transmission.