Hello everyone. I have a survey of sorts for you. I waffling back and forth between getting my Mini with a stick or an automatic (with sudo-manual option).

I would like to know your view on this. I'm pretty sure that this forum will be slanted towards the stick but I want to hear from you.

I plan on using the Mini as my everyday back and forth to work car - mostly in town but I do hope to get out on the road from time to time. If you have a stick, are there cases when you wished you had an automatic? If you have an automatic, are you happy with the decision and how 'manual' does the shifting automatic feel like.

Thanks in advance!

 

A lot of threads on this topic, there is never a consensus. However, I'll weigh in anyway. If you can drive stick, get the stick. Even in the city, it's more fun. The enjoyment of driving a manual outweighs the very rare occasions when an auto makes your life easier.

 

If you live in the city and have a 25+ mile commute and are prone to rush hour traffic driving stop and go for 3/4 of the commute.... Go for automagic - if you have a short drive and are at speeds, you have to go stick.

 

I couldn't imagine mine as an automatic.

As I said on the other thread, a turbo with an automatic is like a 747 with a kickstand.

 

AMEN!!! I'd say this spirited driver would heartily agree - particularly when he launches in the curves like a madman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Eqi9YhlTcg

 

I only own manuals. I refuse to own an auto. It just isn't driving if you aren't shifting. And I have a 2 hour work commute every day.

 

I also will not own an automatic. Just something different about that manual tranny...

 

Asides from the fun factor of driving a stick, I feel more as if I'm one with my MINI. Then again, it depends on how much traffic you have to put up with every day.

 

To put it simply if your going to be doing ANY spirited driving in any Mini you are going to want a stick. This is especially true for the Justa crowd (like me). The motor in the Mini loves to rev. When you have the ability to keep the car in any gear and stay within the optimum power band you will be right on target with proper pull out of a corner. On a turbo car this also helps in maintaining boost. The whole key to getting the most out of your Mini is staying high in the rev range. Plus the ability to downshift to any chosen gear when needed is also very helpful.

 

I have both, a '09 MCSa with auto and '02 R50 with 5 speed. I like both. I think the next car will probably be auto for the wife, its easier. Call me lazy butt he car drives just fine and I have yet to out-drive the car's potential. Yes there is more control with a stick but with an auto you will never miss a gear, stall, change a clutch. It's personal.

 

Being in SoCal I opted for the auto tranny...it makes life so much easier in stop and go traffic...also for the wife auto was the way to go...

Honestly there are times I wish I had a stick during but in the end I do not think it is worth the trade-off in comfort during traffic...

I am unsure what model you are going to order and being new to the world of MINIs but is there not an option to get paddle shifters?...

 

There are active threads on this already - I prefer manual, but apparently MINI sells mostly automatics so I think that tells you the majority preference.

 

When I test drove my Mini three eyars ago, the salesguy asked me if I wanted stick or auto. I said I wanted even consider an automatic- it was stick shift all the way for me and I have not regretted one minute. I can't even imagine driving this car with an auto gear. What fun would zipping through traffic be without the manual gears?

 

I have never, ever wanted an auto instead of my stick. Manual transmission is way too much fun if you do any spirited driving.

 

I wonder if the "strictly stick" folks have driven a MINI in auto? It isn't as mad a most people make it seem, like I said before it is a preference and comes down to your comfort and driving ability.

 

In response to the OP, I have a manual. I cannot think of any situation where I would have preferred to have an automatic. Even in the occasional traffic jam, I don't find it to be a chore.

 

+1 here. I used to be one of the Manual only folks until Mine was in the shop for several days to get a JCW tune kit installed and they gave me a 2011 Auto MCS. Now , personally I still prefer my manual but that auto was a lot of fun especially using the floor shifter to shift (Still do not care for the paddles) IF my driving consisted of mostly city or heavy traffic driving I'd certainly love having a auto Mini.

 

Automatic for me all the way........and don't forget you have the option with the auto to put it in MANUAL sports mode which gives you a clutchless change...drive it and see....once you've gone over to the darkside (automatic) you'll never go back.....even my Dodge Challenger is an auto...........

 

Please don't let us influence your decision. You should drive both in various venues (city, country, etc.), and decide for yourself.

In over 55 years of car ownership, I've never owned an automatic, but that's always been my choice. Note that the heavy majority on this thread have recommend the manual, yet most MINI owners bought an automatic. There's even a $500 discount being offered on new MINIs if you choose a manual.

One consideration. The MCS automatic doesn't give up as much to the MCS manual in acceleration as the MC automatic does to the MC manual. Even with an automatic you can shift for yourself in sport mode, but you don't get to depress a clutch.

 

this

having grown up driving manuals I find when driving an auto I occasionally brain fart and "clutch" the brake. To me manual is an unconscious reflex.

My wife on the other hand is unable to cope with the attention required to simultaneously clutch, lift throttle, shift, rev match and de-clutch, while in any traffic or turning condition. I imagine heels to be difficult to clutch in too.

 

STICK!
'nuff said.

 

I'm in traffic several days a week on my commute, stop and go. I still never wish I had an auto. Even stopping and starting in traffic, I feel I can get better mileage with careful shifting, and I've never found having to clutch inconvenient.

Then again, I've driven manual exclusively since late 2002, so ymmv.

 

I have had this brain-fart too. My R50 was in for service and had a 2011 S Auto and took off from alight faster than my R50 could have, saw fast approaching red and blue LEDs and quickly went to go to neutral and pressed the "clutch" 0-25-0 happen quickly and I nearly broke my darn collar bone when the seat belt kept me against the seat. I pressed the brake with my left foot and came to an immediate stop so the cop could pass me with plenty of room in the intersection, not on the approaching, narrowed lanes of a construction zone.

Felt pretty dumb, but still laugh about it.

 

I have an automatic and always drive it in sport mode with the "manumatic" option. In sport mode the manumatic shifts very quickly and it will allow you to keep the revs up high. It works well as a pseudo-stick 90% of the time.

The one thing that it doesn't work well for is matching revs while down shifting. There is no equivalent of a heel-toe downshift in the manumatic, so there can be issues with lugging at times.

 

One of my biggest annoyances with the MINI auto-box is that it does not blip the throttle. I know of other traditional slushboxes (not dual-clutch) that do rev matching. It really adds to the sporty-ness and prevents herky-jerky down shifts.