The AT only weighs 44lb. more than MT. You could almost lose that much weight by removing the rear seats.

Also, that torque converter that AT have, allows people to perfectly launch around 2K rpm without burning up a clutch.

Additionally, you say you can unhealthy perform flat foo shifting in a MT as to not lose boost between shifts. So basically, you can copy AT shifting by FFS, but run the possibility of blowing your engine if it's not done correctly.

Lastly, were the timeslips you saw comparing a stock AT to a stock MT with the same amount of: tire pressure, gas weight, driver weight, and features like sunroof or no sunroof, etc? Because if any of these varibles were different then the timeslips cannot be used as reliable data.

Please tell me how the MT is better drag wise because I am not seeing the benefits or the proof.

 

Hi im mini canuck and iwould like to join auto group? Also quick question i have o6 classic auto R50 , every once in awhile when shift into reverse engine just reves and i reshift into park and reverse again and no issue car goes is this comon with cvt autos no other issues runs great.

 

Might want to get that checked. The CVT auto in the R50 can be troublesome if it hasn't had regular maintenance (fluid changes, etc.).

 

Wow Davidoyo, not sure why you got that defensive. I certainly hope you're not self-conscious when it comes to MT vs AT. Know that I have two AT vehicles, the other being a modified Subaru Legacy GT which both launches harder than a MT and shifts at full boost.
When I said weight, I referred to the parts of the transmission.
Sustained launches? Do it enough and you will break it.
Incorrect, I was referring to the fact that flat-foot shifting is not a healthy practice on the transmission, not engine.
If you glance at a random list of drag times, which I remember seeing quite a long one somewhere here, the top/fastest were generally MT. If you wish, you can certainly deduce that generally AT drivers choose heavier cars due to more options while MT drivers pick the barebones, but I think you and I both know that is not the case.
Also, AT generally dynos less than a MT. You are welcome to show me otherwise.

You may have mistaken my interjection for that of a MT driver attempting a troll, rest assured that is not the case. I have favored AT cars for some years now but I do recognize that performance-wise MT remains superior unless we are talking about really expensive AT units such as SMG, DSG etc which unfortunately the MINI does not have.
Also, iirc afaik the Mini pulls timing at shift points to help the tranny. So even though you don't lose boost, there still is a momentary loss of power. I believe Jan at RMW Tuning might have some more insight into this.

 

Here is the list I was talking about. I guess we can also deduce MT drivers are more likely to mod them
http://www.dragtimes.com/Mini--Cooper-Drag-Racing.html

 

Very many "serious" drag racing cars have autos in them. I drove stick for 20 years, and as good as I am with one, I don't think for a minute that I can out-shift a mechanical device or computer. Many cars come with longer gear ratios in the automatics as opposed to the manuals to cater to commuters and gas mileage concerns. I don't know what the MINI ratios are, but its a stupid line of thinking anyway when it comes to these cars and drag racing. They just simply aren't for that, nor are they "fast". I say this coming from a 500hp 2009 Mustang GT that would slam you in the seat and break the tires loose at 80mph on a downshift. That car was "fast". My MINI can outhandle it cold, but its at best 1/2 as fast in a straight line.

 

Did you just say that MINIs are half-fast!?

Dave

 

Uh... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WofsBoWp4ug

 

So I just got my new 2011 MC Hardtop over the Memorial weekend and I've noticed when driving it there's a slight lurch or pull when it shifts down into 1st from 2nd and the engine revs slightly. I drove another MINI before purchasing to see if it did the same thing, and it did. I searched a bit on the forums and it seems like a common thing, but I wanted to double check anyway. I've never had a manual of my own, mostly just boring mainstream auto trans (lol), so maybe I'm just not used to the feel of the car.

 

I don't think I'd be able to outshift a computer-controlled transmission at WOT conditions. But that largely depends on what AT we are talking about. Stock for stock, don't the AT dyno less than MTs due to bigger drivetrain losses? Is somehow MINI the exception to this rule?
The MT can also be equipped with a LSD, has there been one retrofitted on the AT yet?
I'd love to tell overzealous MT drivers that their transmission of choice has no performance advantage whatsoever over the AT, not on the dyno nor at the dragstrip, alas I don't think that is the case.
Either way it was not my intent to start a debate AT vs MT.

 

Everything about the MINI is tight: tight bushings, tight tranny, pedals, suspension etc. You will get used to it. Our 06 doesn't do it, coming to a stop it basically just goes through the gears down and stops. It does what you are describing occasionally when in Sport mode because it downshifts at higher rev points and the tranny ends up with load on it. However, I would not describe it as a lurch forward, just simply a snag.

 

So what are we looking at here, a car built for handling passed not only a car not built for handling, but one of the worst recent examples of handling in said car? Frankly that wouldn't have happened in the new GTs with over 400 horse and twice the handling capability of that 05~ish Mustang.

Mustangs really no longer handle that poorly, go test drive one. I have a fairly recent magazine article where they beat an M3 on the track with one. You can take it even further and get the "track pack" on the thing. As for the MINI, thats a quick version of one, understanding they had to mod the engine, replace steel parts with aluminum parts, and remove the back seat along with other sound deadening materials to get more performance. These are great little cars for many reasons, but "fast" they are not (at least not in any street form 99% of people would have -- this goes for most any car though -- you can make a Ford Fiesta faster with enough effort).

 

I know this quote is a bit old but, well said my MINI friend!
I am new here and have been checking out a few threads as I just 2 weeks ago ordered my car. 2011 Clubman S. And yes I did order an automatic for this very reason.

 

I too have had so many stick sifts I cannot remember them all BUT my first real fast car was a TR4a-IRS with a Ford 289 V-8 under the hood. I regretted NOT putting in the automatic tranny when I did the conversion. To much wasted time shifting! 2nd and 4th were all that was needed if you wanted to go fast.

S.

 

Added the NM heat shield, Torque Arm Inserts, and the NM High Flow Induction kit. NM produces very well illustrated instructions, and everything fits perfectly. The intake makes the swoosh noise when pulling in air with foot to the floor , and you hear the BOV (pst) when easing off gas. Not at all disturbing and barely noticeable with stereo on and not real difference with normal driving. The biggest improvement is how responsive the car becomes in basic drive mode -- almost as responsive as in sport mode. Inserts eliminate rubber band effect adding to responsiveness.

Next week I plan to install air charge tube, discharge tube and FMIC. I am also going to get it dyno'd to see where all this puts me. At the very least, I'm impressed with the induction assist with responsiveness. More to follow.

Also, drilled out the scoop grill to help add some air during driving, and let more turbo heat out when stopped. Grill is essentially the same now as a MINI FINI but way cheaper.

 

2011 clubman s auto...

 

Sign me up. I have given up shifting. My job changed last October and for the first time in over ten years I have a commute and shifting was annoying. This is only the 2nd automatic I have owned. The other was a used car I purchased when I was in high school, many years ago.

I don’t know that I’ll ever purchase another stick.

 

I just put the NM intake on my 2011 as well. LOVE IT!

 

Yeah I completely agree with this. This auto unit in the MINI is amazingly responsive with the downshifts, and its really fun to play around with. I see no reason for a manual in this car at this point, with as good as the auto is.

 

Couldn't agree more. BTW your MINI is a very sweet looking ride!! What are those wheels?

S.

 

Lat year I bought a 2005 R53 with only 9k miles on it. After over 30 years of sticks, I opted for AT to take the pressure off of my challenged left knee. I'm taking my first extended road trip tomorrow into the N. California mountains, so I look forward to really using the shifters.
Woohoo!

 

Thanks! The wheels are 16x7 Konig Zero-In's in Machined/Black finish with a red inner line, and 205/50-16 Hankook Ventus V4 tires. Total package with new TPMS sensors and new lug bolts was $1084 to my door from Discount Tire Direct on the web.

 

205x50x16's really make the car perform on the twisty stuff in the mountains! They also help around town Not great for top speed but for acceleration they are a wonder with the lower gear ratio from smaller diameter.

That looks like a good deal for The Konig wheels, tires and TPMS all balanced etc.

Stephen

 

2009 MCSa checking in. I've owned mostly manuals, but I wouldn't trade my paddle shifters for anything.

 

hi,

i've a 2006 cooper non s and have a paddle shift on the steering , so did i have a cvt tran on this car it's 6 speed auto
thx