For those of you who have an F56 that replaced a second generation hardtop Cooper S, do you notice a difference in transmissions?

Please compare like to like. If you had a manual and now have their new manual, how is it different ? Same if you were an auto person. Not looking for a discussion of the relative merits of manual vs. auto - separate thread. Thanks

 

This isn't exactly addressing what you're looking for... but I can compare a first gen R53 to the newest one.

The new car feels just like a BMW in terms of shift feel (aka: world class). My first gen feels a lot notchier. The second gen I drove felt somewhat in between the two, with the shifter maybe leaning a little more toward the F56.

That said, the notchy shifter kind of adds to the character of my R53. I decided to keep it even with all of it's problems so we're going to have 3 British cars in the garage (I must be insane )

 

Thank you. Sounds dead on. I have '14 convertible 6 speed and find shifting excellent - it will be interesting to see if the silkier F56 I am about to order turns out to be a joy or an high-tech facsimile

In any event having three cars made in Britain categorizes you as someone who appreciates character and craftsmenship. Enjoy them.

 

I think you will enjoy it!

I've owned several modern manual transmission BMWs and they've done an excellent job with retaining the feel of the shifter while still having some bits of modern technology added (i.e. hill hold feature). There is no doubt the newer 8-speed automatic transmissions are leagues ahead in terms of efficiency and performance... but I just am sticking to the old ways since I prefer a proper manual.

 

I feel similarly. While there are no practical advantages - in fact, disadvantages in stop and go- shifting permits a more connected form of driving. My hope is that the improvements in the 3rd gen will mitigate the negatives of too much connection when faced with a four mile bumper to bumper back-up.

 

A further question , perhaps for you GT, if your F56 is equipped with many of the new electronic navigation and information features, do you find shifting gets in the way of using these new features or is shifting simply second nature to you ?

 

The AT in the F56 is the same one as my 2014 R56. The manual F56 has rev matching while the manual 2014 R56 does not.

 

Same transmissions in my auto R56 and F56, but functionality of the F56 is far superior with how it shifts quickly and a lot better than the 07-13/14 models of the Rxx generation.

 

Am I missing something here? Last I checked MINI's are made in Germany

 

Oxford, England.

 

don't know where you checked, no minis are built in germany

R60 and R61 are built in graz, austria, the rest in england

 

F56's aren't built in Germany? Maybe I'm assuming because they're built by BMW it's in Germany, guess the plants are in other countries... Apples and oranges aside, I can hardly call it a British car...

 

Made in England, of primarily German parts, so they get a VIN that starts with W. My M Coupe was built in South Carolina but still had a W VIN number.

 

Did you not do the obsessive tracking through your build that most of us do?? Oh wait, you bought right from the lot if I remember correctly? When you track online, it shows the steps at the Oxford manufacturing plant, and where it ships out from (South Hampton) really cements where its built and from then =) Yes, its BMW owned, and BMW parts, but still built in the UK.

 

Seems to me the parts are manufactured in Germany and put together
in the UK

 

Engine from Germany, auto transmission from Japan, other stuff from who-knows-where, but I think the body panels are made in the UK and it's all put together there.

 

Like any other car I guess Parts sourced from cheapest bidder. At least the new MINIs don't have engines built by Peugeot Serves me for listening to what I've 'heard' about the new MINI being built entirely in BMW plants, with BMW parts built by BMW... Haha

 

BMW has plants in the UK
If it is built in a BMW plant located in the UK, it is still built by BMW.
Most of the parts are stamped.
When you take yours apart.
Let us know what the stamp indicates.
The Getrag manual is German, same as the box in my 911.
If you see an ignition part that says LUCAS though, be concerned.

 

Yeah -- by German Roboter. ;-)