I was referring to the 2nd gen never owned a 1 gen so I would have no idea.

 

1st gen manuals suck, i'd rather drive a pickup truck manual. drove a manual TDI today, gotta say it was amazing

 

Saw this on Gizmodo today (its a Mini ad) and thought it was funny.



"Becoming a Manual"

 

just bought a paddle shifter oem wheel (canada exclusive bit) today, it'll be fun

 

This is a tiresome discussion.....

manual transmission = auto transmission
manual ac > auto ac
manual rear view mirror > auto dim rear view mirror

 

I shattered my left heel pretty badly many moons ago. After metal plates in my heel and bone graphs on my left knee, it's a small miracle that that I don't have a limp (most of the time). If i'm up walking around a bunch throughout the day, my heel "locks up" on me to the point where it's difficult to even walk. :(

My 370z is manual, but I only drive that on the weekends every once and awhile when there's no DC traffic to deal with. If I'm at work walking around and my foot locks up while I'm driving my manual, and on top of that, there's DC traffic to deal with, then there's no way in hell I'm getting home. That's the unfortunate reason that one of my cars needs to be an automatic =/

 

Someone please say it. Please! I get flamed enough. Someone ELSE please say it!

 

That is your opinion and you are welcome to it. Offering reasons may help someone out as to which they should pick when choosing options for their MINI.

IMHO,
Manual is better because you and the car become one. It is a more involved drive, and you get a better feel for what you are doing.
I prefer auto ac because I'd rather set my preferred temp (70f) and let the computer handle the rest
I'd much prefer the auto dim because I have never before had a manual mirror, but in my time with my MINI, I have found it very bothersome having to dim the mirror myself, especially since the MINI is so low and regular headlights on most any car become blinding.

 

Sorry we are all tiring you. However, this is an open forum. Perhaps some of us have not been around here for as long or discussed as much as you have. Maybe a nap is in order?

I wish I had the auto-dimming mirror and auto climate control. This car borders luxury territory and to me it would be nice to have features that exemplify such territory.

But when it comes to how my car behaves performance-wise, and because I am lucky enough to physically able to drive stick shift, that is what I will always opt for. It is just more fun to me!

k_h_d: keep looking, don't give up! You'll find your stick shift!

 

I wanted a manual. I've always drivne manual transmisson cars since my first 1960 Sprite.

But I have an issue. My wife does not drive a manual transmission, and for us, it was imperative that she be able to drive the new car immediately.

I discussed learning how to drive a manual with her, but to be frank, she has a good point. I-95, I-4 and the roads surounding Orlando are not good learning experiences.

So we bought an automatic.

I still hold onto the "shifter" when I drive, and I long for the days that I could pick the proper gear, but I have to admit, the second generation Mini auto (Aisin) is a pretty good piece. It generally shifts about when I would have shifted it, and its nice in bumper to bumper stuff to just sit still. And as I approach 35K miles, it seems to me that the transmission is smoother than it was when it was new.

I drove the Dragon at MOTD, and I really wanted to shift gears. But that was one trip as opposed to the thousands of daily trips where it really dosn't make much difference which box I have.

If it were solely my car, I'd have had a manual transmission. But it isn't solely my car, and the Mini auto is a very good compromise.

I've said it many times here, an automatic Mini is better than no Mini at all. For us, it came down to just that.

 

+1 Well said!

 

It's personal choice. Some people want or need the auto, others want or need the manual. To me, at least, neither one is inherently better or worse--they both have good points and bad points.

That said, I didn't even consider an automatic. I want that third pedal.

 

I think if you are keeping your automatic until the wheels fall off it would be a negative with the automatic. It supposedly has lifetime fluid but it is my understanding that these auto's do have trouble with age. There is no easy way to drain and refill the transmission though it can be done. Many have done it that frequent this site.

The problem being that at 100K or 7 years most automatic transmissions need some maintenance. But most Mini dealers will not "change the fluid". (They really need it well before then.) So if your transmission starts to fail at 100K or better that Automatic is going to cost you roughly 6K to 7K to replace.

Ouch! We plan to sell my wife's car once the warranty runs out anyway so if that is your plan go for the auto. If you want to keep your car till the wheels fall off save some money as you just might need it.

 

You obviously never drove the 1st gen CVT, arguably the worst transmission ever designed...

 

The manual dimming mirror puts you more in touch with the car and the road than the auto dimmer. I don't know how someone could even consider the auto dimming mirror, it'd be like driving the car by remote control!

Dave

 

I'm not sure that all of them had issues. My mother has a 2004 Justa with a CVT. The only "problem" she had experienced with it was that it was jerky occasionally upon take off. To fix it, her MINI mechanic just updated the software on the transmission and it went back to normal. She still drives it to this day without a problem!

Also, an interesting infographic:

 

I sit in bumper to bumper traffic sometimes and do not care about having a manual at all. I find auto's to be MUCH more annoying in any situation than a manual. automatics=garbage.

 

Actually when the R56 debuted, lots of automotive publications mentioned that the auto trans is one of the best they've used.

 

Hummmm. Glad I drive a 6 speed.

 

Hahaha yet another Manual v. Automatic argument thread. Automatics are better! Manuals are better! You and your opinions are crap! There has to be tons of threads exactly like this one already. Sometimes I wish we could all just get along, but that isn't ever going to happen. Someone should just merge these bitching threads all into one giant free-for-all thread and let people assert their authoritah over there

 

Man your no fun at all MaverickGun

You really know how to throw water on a good fire now dontcha?

 

I'm not one to engage in these petty arguments, but I really must say it's a bunch of BS. Reminds me of my kids sometimes...

Matter of fact, it has an odd resemblance to the President and Congress spats...and well know how childish that looks.

 

Ahhhh, but you did. Just couldn't help yourself now could you?

 

If you all find this thread so "tiresome" or "petty" its pretty easy just to skip reading it (not to mention how easy it is NOT to hit reply and type one).

 

yeah i'm not exactly sure why anyone cares what each other person chooses for their transmission. haters going to hate, i'm going to go install paddle shifters