My 05 MCS is automatic w/paddle shiftters and my classic is an automatic also. Both purchased that way so my wife could drive them as well.

Regrets? Nope, none whatsoever, and I'm not too sure I could add or subtract from what has already been posted so far.

Wait a minute, maybe the next one (3rd MINI as I don't plan on ever letting them go) will be a six speed just for me...........

 

I'm like some of the others here...I want to feel like I'm really involved in the driving experience, so I always choose manual. I'm used to driving 5 speed manuals, though, so the 6 speed might be an interesting experience (I only test drove a Mini once)!

Basically, what's the most important thing you want out of your driving experience? Do you want to hone your shifting skills and become a technical driver, or do you want the comfort of just stepping on the gas and motoring? I'd personally choose manual, but it's really what YOU want from your Mini that counts.

 

Do you want to hone your punch card skills and become a technical computer operator, or do you want the comfort of just seeing information displayed on a screen and typing on a keyboard?

 

I've driven lots of 3,4, 5, and 6 speed cars but must say that my MCSa is the most fun yet...especially when I can change the drive patterns from auto to 6-speed clutchless whenever I wish. Gone is that damned clutch pedal...you know, the one that you curse in heavy stop and go traffic?

 

I love driving in parades. The manuals... not so much.

 

If you're older (EDIT: Not saying that there aren't "mature", fit, and able bodied standard drivers..!), or have knee problems, the clutch could get tiring in stop-and-go traffic. But if you're able-bodied and fit, it doesn't really require a second thought... I drove 2.5 hours in bumper-to-bumper traffic, in the snow, on hills the other day (and ended up having to turn around!), and it really wasn't an issue. The MINI's clutch is light and has a lot of feeling. Also, unrelated, but I have to say being able to clutch in for neutral in slippery conditions is very handy.

 

absotively posilutely NO regrets at all, but then I have the JCW kit on my auto, and it is silly-sick fast FUN defined! shoot they could take out that stick thing off the console, give me a reverse button, and I wouldnt care one bit.

 

Believe me dude, I feel NO less involvement with my MCS auto than I did with my lone-gone MCS manual; as a matter of fact, when Im blazing thru the twisties at full clip, the involvement is higher because I can keep both hands on the wheel and paddle +/- to my heart's content. Guess it's all a matter of perspective.

OP go the 2nd gen JCW forum (not the Factory sub-forum) and ask my fellow JCW auto-heads about how "involved" THEY feel as they're literally wailing down the road...

 

My favorite analogy whenever the discussion comes up is Film SLRs vs Digital "Point and Shoot" cameras. Both are capable of taking great photos and it's the photographer's hands, eye and creativity that eventually show in the result. I bet a few of the manual MINI aficionados use a regular digital point and shoot and don't think twice about their photos ;-). A great shot is a great shot much like a ride/drive in a MINI...

 

I prefer punch cards! Don't drop that Object Deck!

 

Indeed... just like shifting from 5th to 2nd at 95mph...

 

That's an interesting analogy... I'm not sure it quite works, though. I love my SLR, but I also often use a point-and-shoot. While the point-and-shoot is more convenient for everyday use, because of its size, the SLR can be just as easy to use (they have automatic/program/scene modes too)... but even on the automatic modes, it'll consistently turn out noticeably better shots. And, there are many, many things the point-and-shoot just cannot do... like control aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and so on. Not so with the SLR--the only thing it can't do that the point-and-shoot can is fit in my pocket. If automatic were a point-and-shoot, and standard were an SLR, I'd take the SLR any day.

A better analogy would be using the same camera in Automatic or Full Manual modes. Automatic is more convenient, and in the hands of your average user will crank out shots just as good as that user would be able to in Manual. But in the hands of an expert user, Manual mode ultimately offers more control and thus better pictures in all but optimal situations. I guess Program would be like Tiptronic, then. Which gives you a bit more control over common settings (ISO), but is not truly Manual. So you get a bit of the perks of Full Manual but with most of the convenience of Automatic.

...then, DSG would be like Aperture or Shutter Priority. Handy, faster than Full Manual, with the same level of control as Full Manual in 95% of professional applications.

/musing

That said, while I may be an "advanced" photographer, I'm not an "advanced" manual driver. I could probably get around a track faster in an automatic. However, I just have more fun with a manual... so I'll enjoy it while I can.

Haha.

 

I guess the moral of the story is really, "To each his/her own."

 

The fact that folks are trying to justify their manual choice in an automatic buyer's thread makes me wonder if they're the ones with the buyer's remorse.

 

Pretty much. I have no problem driving manual in traffic or otherwise. I guess it's just the mental willpower and disposition of each individual person. Hell, I drove an F-550 pulling a trailer with a manual today in heavy traffic, and not once did I think, "wish I had an auto." The only thing that pissed me off was the retarded slushy drivers cutting me off.

 

My search function doesn't work. Can you help me find the manual buyers remorse thread?

 

It's right here apparently, feel free to confess my child

 

I love my MCSa! I tend to drive in manual mode using the stick, not the paddles. I'm able to hold gears as long as I want while accelerating. When slowing down I typically downshift, though the transmission will do it for you once you hit a certain RPM and have not shifted yet. I've rarely put him in full automatic mode as I agree, that takes some fun factor away.

I grew up driving autos and have only driven a MT a handful of times. I thought seriously about making the switch when I got my Mini but after test driving this auto I couldn't imagine doing better with a MT.

I'm by no means trying to bash anyone so please don't take it the wrong way, but I sometimes wonder if many of the MT drivers are all talk and nothing more. Can 90% of these drivers really shift faster than my automatic? Everyone talks about doing a toe and heal, but how many can actually do it correctly and effectively? When put in a "pressure" situation i've sat in the passenger seat and seen many MT drivers screw up. Then there's the twisties, how quickly can most people shift comming out of a tight turn with an MT vs an auto with paddles?

I understand the Aisen is not a "clutchless manual" and a very experienced/professional with an MT should outperform. I just wonder how many people actually do....

The day Mini puts out a DSG like transmission is the day we can put this topic to rest

 

Wishful thinking. NAM never puts a topic to rest. Not even ones like "the sun will rise tomorrow".

 

Says you.

 

So i just drove my friends Standard Mini. Now I kinda want one. The CVT doesnt feel the same. That was a ton of fun. even though it was just around the parking lot

 

CVT does not equal Steptronic. Totally different animals... If I had a CVT, I'd want something else, too.

 

I have no doubt that in the hands of most average drivers, laptimes in an auto MINI will be less than that of a manual MINI. Put in the right hands, the manual can make up (and exceed) that difference.

But what I'm saying is that I prefer manual because it just feels more fun to drive--I feel more connected to the car. However, that's a personal preference. If you're an automatic driver than can also drive standard, I respect your choice--it's a personal choice, for sure.

If you're an automatic driver that can't drive standard... I urge you to give it a shot (learn it to proficiency). I don't see how you can solely drive automatic and say you prefer automatic if you've never driven standard. I'm sure some of you will be hooked and won't return to an automatic (until old age, perhaps). But, I'm sure there'll be some that prefer their automatic, too, which is totally fine!

Long story short--it's personal preference. To each his/her own. But until you've learned both, I think you should reserve final judgement.

 

The all new 2030 MINI. With auto racing line, auto shifting,auto steering, auto wash and wax, auto mod installing with optional remote control from your living room chair and hd tv. Just like picking a nice line through a turn I enjoy working the clutch and gas to snap a great down shift or a smooth as silk up shift. Paddle shifters, DSG, CVT will never give me that no matter how fast they can shift or how many gears they have. Some are willing to give that up for ease of the auto or simply never discovered the joy of driving a manual. There is no best option for every one it comes down to what's more important to you. I grew up in NYC and now live in Atlanta, both heavy traffic places and have never wished for a auto car with out a clutch but thats just me.

 

Interesting how this keeps attracting comments from people who don't meet the qualifications of the intended audience of original post.