I test drove both and definitely preferred the automatic, and especially living in a very congested city where I have to commute every day. Might consider a manual if I lived somewhere with quieter roads, but at the end of the day between the paddle shifters and the fact that the auto goes 0-60 faster than anyone can get the manual to do so, I am pleased with my choice.

 

I like the automatic though I only drove my friends' manual cars way back in college on road trips. Maybe it's easier than a Daytona or Neon. I do a lot of city driving so I prefer auto especially in Houston.

After 2 years, I just discovered the Sport or Manual mode. Funky. But that's another story.

2006 MCa HB/W

 

Well, I have a 2003 MC CVT, and I HIGHLY regret it. The CVT is fun to drive no doubt, but It's had to be replaced, serviced, and still goes into EP mode. I don't drive it all that hard anymore because I'm scared it will break, and some random times it gets wierd errors. I would never consider getting another CVT. I'm just saving up the cash for a trade in on a 05/06 MCS manual.

This car is meant to be fun, and regular automatics detract from that, IMO. CVT is better, but breaks.

 

Sorry but I tried the CVT and didn't think it was close to the 6 speed auto for fun - the variable transmission vs direct gear changes lacked something.

 

A manual was never an option for me. My MCS Auto is very quick and no regrets.

 

Worked for us too! And I secretly enjoy playing with the wife's CVT Cooper

 

I've only had mine for 866 miles, but I can say that I don't regret the automatic. I have a lot of lights to go through on my commute and I wasn't looking forward to the clutch at all those lights.

It drives great, and while I know that a manual is lots of fun (I have a 68 Vette for that) I'm really happy with my choice and I'd choose a manual again.

 

My wife doesn't drive manual, but the solution to that problem simply was for me to get a 6-speed manual MCS and for my wife to have an automatic MINI. We have enjoyed the best of both worlds.

For nearly 6 years we had a R50 Cooper CVT and we loved the car. Now our new Clubman S is automatic as well and the transmission (contrary to popular claims here and elsewhere) is fantastic and very well tuned to the dynamics and performance of the S model,

Everyday I enjoy my super fun 6-speed Getrag in my '05 R53 S . But I also enjoy and appreciate the fun and benefits afforded by an automatic MINI.

I am not a stick shift snob. I have never subscribed to that line of thinking =)

 

Knee problems prevailed in our decision to get an auto in our MCS. No regrets or second thoughts at all. We love to drive it!

 

I don't know much about cars, but don't you have to replace the clutch periodically? That would mean some savings down the road.

 

Replacing the clutch depends on your driving style as it creates the wear and tear on the clutch. If you drive conservatively, there are NAMers that have went 100K + on their stock clutch. On the long run, it's not a DRAMATIC amount of savings...

I hope some people are kidding when they talk about "putting on make up" "eating their burger" and "talking on the phone" I always see people swerving when they are doing things they should not be doing in a car, like checking your e-mail or looking at stocks. But if your driving manual and you want to talk on the phone, get bluetooth. It does wonders. I highly suggest the Jawbone Bluetooth. Best head set you can get. (For me atleast).

I got my MINI back in November 07. At the time I didn't even know how to drive manual. Except when i test drove a RX8 and a Honda Civic with my friend. I drove my MINI off the lot not knowing how to drive manual. But in about 5 minutes, I got the hang of it. Learning to drive stick in a MINI is extremely easy. But going uphill you'd still need a but of "alone" time practice. When I drove my friend's RX8 (the one he bought after we test drove) I found that the MINI is a lot more easier. I also drove my friend's 9(?) Saab. The clutch was about a inch down and hard to push down. It was like pushing your feet down on a 2x4 getting it to bend. If anything a manual is a and not something you would regret.

 

So I guess all of those Formula 1 drivers are not really drivers? All of those cars are automatics. Out of curiosity do you have any idea just how ignorant you sound? I'll give you the benefit of the doubt that you didn't mean to come across that way but to some how arbitrarily decide that anyone with an auto simply isn't a driver is foolish.

I do like they way you put yourself in the category of being a real 'driver'. Yeah right.

And for the record: I had an 03 S manual and in a couple of weeks will have an 08 S auto, have I changed? Am I no longer a driver because i no longer work a clutch?

 

I agree with you, there is a lot more to driving then the clutch - and we also went from an 03 MCS stick to the 05 Auto with no regrets.

Never fails that when someone asks a question of the auto owners people who don't own them come into the thread to either put it down/be all macho about the issue or proselytise about the manual tranny. Try not to let it bug you, it is one of those dead horses that will go on forever.

Cheers and TGIF is what I say, and I think I'll go on a nice drive with both hands on the wheel this weekend

 

X3

Guess I'm not a "real driver", but I don't really care. I'm having a blast anyway. I used to drive manual as well. Sure you get more "control", though, useful for clutch stunts, most of what you get doesn't apply to most of daily driving. I do think between the sport mode and paddle shifters, you get back a lot. Paddle shifting does take a while to get used to. I used to keep pressing my left foot down. Also, I don't mind giving up "control" when I'm just cruising or crawling in rush hour.

I regretted not being able to get manual since this was going to be our only family car, but I have no regrets that I got auto now.

 

i don't think he meant that driving a manual is "real" driving. if anything, at least for me, switching from auto to manual opened a totally new and different way of driving. that's for sure.

 

3 pedals man! For any car.

 

Sounds like a plan.That makes two of us!

 

Clutch longevity is dependent not as much on driving style as it is on engagement style. People that 'drag' the clutch excessively will wear it out prematurely more often than 'aggressive' drivers who clutch properly.

Zip

 

I'm stuck in traffic on the notorious 405 traffic everyday so I opted for the automatic. I did man up the 405 with my manual 325 for year and a half I just couldn't take it anymore.

I have mixed feelings. I'm happy only when i'm stuck in traffic.

The trans on the MCSa aren't among the best autos I've ever driven, let's just put it that way.

 

And people who drive autos are just as manly as the "purists" who stick with manuals. It's all about what situation you are in.

Making right decisions is what qualifies you as a "purist".
Not the "oh you drive an auto, I'm purer than you".

 

I my CVT. I, at 29, have arthritis in my hip. I also have a commute in one of the worst stop-and-go areas of the country. I couldn't drive a manual even if I wanted to, which I don't.

Sport mode rocks.

 

I agree. Purity has nothing to do with it. You drive what you want to drive. Anyone who doesn't understand isn't worth the time it would take for an explanation.

Zip

 

Location: Morgan Hill, CA/Madison, WI

Are you commuting between CA and WI???

 

Hahaha....no. I live in CA most of the time but spend good chunks of my summers in WI.

 

ProV1- Did you place your order yet? What'd you get?

Took the words right outta my mouth. =D