Hello all! As stated this may be a stupid question. I'll be honest I'm not incredibly educated when it comes to cars, despite the fact that I watch a lot of Top Gear UK and read car magazines.

I've been looking around for a mini, specifically a mini with automatic transmission, however some of them say they are automatic yet they have a clutch and a gear stick.

So the question is: Are they automatic with an option of manual transmission? Or are they just mislabeled manuals?

Thanks,
MiniCooperGuy42

 

I've never seen a MINI automatic with a clutch, so maybe I know even less about that than you do. The automatics can be used in sport mode (shifting at high rpms), and even shifted manually by the driver without a clutch.

 

They are Mini Cooper S' (2007) that I am looking at.

So it could just be an automatic with the choice of manual in sports mode?

MiniCooperGuy42

 

Yes - it's basically a conventional automatic transmission, but you have the option of selecting gears manually.

There are cars that have something like a traditional clutch connecting the engine to the transmission, but you select gears manually using paddle shifters or the like, and the engagement/disengagement of the clutch is computer-controlled via servos. Examples are the Porsche PDK, BMW "SMG" (Sequential Manual Gearbox), and similar offerings from Ferrari and Lamborghini.

 

I have found that web site listings of MINI's at non MINI dealerships are often not accurate.... Especially for options and packages. I drive 30 miles to test drive an automatic MINI at a BMW dealership which turned out to be manual. I liked it but my wife can't drive manual. That dealer then told me that auto MINI's were rare and I probably would not find one....

The manual and automatic gear shifter is in the same location. No automatic MINI has a clutch pedal at all.

As other have said, the automatic has a pseudo manual mode where you can shift through the gears up or down with the shift lever. The 'S' automatic also has 'paddle' shifters on the steering wheel. The paddles are standard on S auto beginning I think in '10. Earlier they were an option.

If you find a 1st generation MINI '03 - '06 auto (CVT) then turn and run....

 

Thank you for all the responses. I now have that all cleared up.

But do to the responses I have one last question: If I find a true automatic should I jump to get it since they are rare (and I can't drive stick)?

Cheers,
MiniCooperGuy42

 

The automatic transmission wasn't a rare option, so don't jump on one just to keep it from getting away.

What years/versions of the MINI are you looking for? If I didn't drive a manual, I'd either learn how to or choose a different brand of car before I'd buy a first-generation (2001-2006) non-S Cooper with the automatic. They're a little bit gutless to drive, and the automatic CVT transmission has a long, lousy history.

 

I learned how to drive stick on my MINI (took my driver's test in it as well), took me an evening in a parking lot to get the basics down. It's not as hard as it seems! It's so much more fun with a manual transmission anyways, you really feel connected with the car and in more control over it.

 

I also learned to drive stick on my MINI and it's no worse for wear. I'm not one to slag auto owners, but I'd suggest everyone at least give stick a try. Don't be intimidated by the notion.. look at all the idiots out there driving manual cars!

 

The auto is not all that rare. The salesman just told me that because he wanted to sell what he had on the lot. In fact just 15 minutes before that, I was test driving an auto MINI at a Mom and Pop dealer down the road.

 

You get better gas mileage as well with a manual transmission! Provided you never want to have fun in your MINI ;D

 

Right now I am looking at a 2007 Mini Cooper S.

I know that learning how to drive manual is easy enough, I was talking to my dad about it the other day. But he doesn't drive a manual now, he just drove a manual when he was younger and lived in Illinois.

As far as driving a manual goes I would love to drive a manual. However my mom would prefer I don't drive a manual being that we live in Houston and we have a lot of stop and go traffic.

So does my 2007 Mini Cooper S with automatic transmission sound good?

Cheers,
MiniCooperGuy42

 

Excuses, excuses! Haha I'm just pulling your leg. Manual or Auto, you will be fine either way.

 

Another advocate for auto here! Don't know how to drive manual and really don't care to learn! In fact the build of my 2012 that is currently sailing caused my MA to say "You are really throwing us for a loop!".

I bet you won't find too many automatic MCSa that have the JCW Tuning Kit, Aero Kit, and Suspension Kit! Auto FTW!

I know the OP is looking at a 2007, but I thought I would mention that if you order a current model with an automatic *and* the JCW appearance package, that you will lose the paddle shifters. This is because you will instead receive the same steering wheel as a factory JCW that has the red stitching. You will still be able to use the gear selector to achieve the same result, however.

Cheers!
j

 

If Houston car market is anything like Dallas' the manual mini is the rare one...

I had a loaner auto recently, it drove really nice for an auto... I wouldn't want to live with one but it was one of the better ones I have driven.

I prefer manuals in traffic. The constant braking with an auto drives me nuts. Only time I have ever wished for an auto was when I got stuck in a 7 hour stop and go traffic from Dallas to San Antonio, that was a bit excessive.