i dont know i bought my car 10 days ago i've been reading on here and it seems alot of people have had success changing out the stock lifetime fluid to new fluid. i just followed the instructions on here and notice good gains. planning on doing a total of 3 drain and refill with new synthetic fluid.

 

Ok, I just now noticed (after 5 weeks of ownership) that I have the Steptronic Trans. I know this sounds ignorant, but what is the advantage? I read what little the manual has to say. Years ago I did drive a manual car (VW Bug), so I know that much.

I do enjoy the Sport mode occasionally. I am also certain this subject has been discussed before, but I am still relatively new to the Mini world.

Would love to hear how other owners have used this interesting option and how you like it.

Thanks!

2010 HBClubbie, fairly loaded with awesome features, Just being a Mini would have been enough for me, but she was a "special purchase"

 

If you move the gear shift to the left then you can shift the car like a manual and use the engine to the fullest by maximizing the rpms. Previously the CVT gearing wouldn't let you do this. If you have the MCS then you have paddles on the steering wheel and you can shift from here, otherwise you just shift from the stick (pull back to shift up, and push forward to downshift). It adds more fun when driving, and works better when driving in like snow where you can use engine compression instead of braking.

 

Thanks! So coooool! Mine is the automatic/nonS

 

does this let you downshift in corners or over rev

 

Yes, you can do anything with it that you could do with a manual, except over rev it.

Dave

 

does the step go all the way down to N

 

It will shift down to first gear -- whether you do it or not, as soon as you come to a full stop. You can start in second gear though and probably should. Like Dave said, you can't really over rev, or even lug, the Aisin transmission -- it's too smart and will shift for you if you forget you're in manual mode.

 

what do you think will be faster in a quarter mile step or manuel.. speaking of minis only cause i saw that the auto mini was faster then the manuel in the quarter

 

I still would bet on the step because you don't have to take your foot off the gas to shift.

 

Heres another auto checking in. I've bought probably around 25+ new cars in my life, and I'd say 18~ of them have been manuals, so I have nothing to prove on that front. These days the modern automatics are quite fun to play with, and most importantly, when I don't feel like messing with it... I don't have to.

 

I would hope that any Mini would be faster in the 1/4 mile than some dude named Manuel.

 

I am right in there, maybe more, with your statistics and really like the way new automatics work. I had a 1968 TR4A-IRS, that I purchased new, and put a 289 Ford V8 into it w/4sp borg/warner manual trans a year and a half later. I wish I had put an automatic in it because of wasted time shifting. If I was in a quarter mile race I used 2nd & 4th so as to not wasted time shifting.

My MCSa is pretty quick!!!


S.

 

im glad the automatics are become faster than manuels.. that way manuel people can get off their high horse

 

Manual or automatic? It's your money and preference so buy what you like. To me it's all about motoring. My automatic drives just fine and I used to drive manuals.

 

I guess I need to give up my membership. I traded my automatic for manual yesterday. *waves goodbye*

 

Enjoy!

 

have fun

 

traded up last week now my wife and I have a 2011 MiniCooper S Auto and a 2011 MiniCooper Countryman S.

 

Nice of you to join the club... can we get some interior shots of your 2011 mcs... i need my fix

 

Hey count me in 06 BRG. I'm in sport mode 98% of the time and shifting with the paddles. It sure makes me

 

Me too, me too!! Loving my Auto Justa Clubgirl!! VROOM VROOM!!

 

This.

I drove sticks exclusively for over 20 years. Finally got tired of it after spending 20 years sitting in Miami rush hour traffic.

Now the auto with steptronic mode gives me the best of both worlds. Manual when I want it, auto when I'm lazy.

 

+1! I've owned so many cars with MTs in my life, and over time I think it starts to wear on you, IMHO...kinda like rougher riding cars from being lowered (and believe me, I've been there before for years, remember the mini truck craze of the 80s?). Now I can hold my cup of coffee and just drive without juggling between the wheel, a stick and the cup

 

You can do flat foot shifting in a MT, even though it's not healthy.
The AT still loses more hp to the wheel due to parasitic loses due to being heavier, torque-converter-driven, etc.
From the timeslips I've seen online, the MTs are quicker.