new to this forum...currently own coupe S and will be ordering new roadster JCW. I am reading on these forums that a 6-speed auto w/paddle shifter might be an option? If so, does it in any way approximate an F1 trans. or is it just a glorified transmission gear selector apparatus? I love the 6-speed manual but would prefer a faster trans. if available. My dealer contact (portland OR) politely snickered at my request for a paddle shift trans. as though they did not exist. Same snicker when I inquired about AWD and 250HP!! I can live without the AWD and can make more HP but the trans. question is important. Any knowledgeble help is appreciated. Bob

 

Well a JCW can only be ordered in a stick. You can get a S model with auto, then get the tuning kit.

Nothing in a relatively cheap production car (ie a MINI) is going to have a tranny comparable to a F1 car. More an more manufactures are going to s DSG type tranny and getting less drag and quicker shifts but nothing like F1.

 

Agree with above on the F1 comparison.

I, for one, would not do business with someone who answered my earnest questions with a snicker, versus acting like a gentleman.

 

faster? Even the fastest automatic transmissions (which are probably the DSG's in the VW/Audi/Lambo's) are really just a few hundreds of a second faster per shift from what I remember. They definitely have their place when it comes to flat out performance on a track with lots of up/down shifts but in the grand scheme of things it's not something that most would notice/benefit from. VW learned a tough lesson when they forced the DSG auto down their enthusiasts throat by making it the only option on their mkV R32's... there was quite a backlash at that choice and they reversed their stance and went back to 6 speed only on the mk6 Golf R (as was the case with the original mk4 R32). The paddle shift option in the Mini and most other cars aren't really anywhere near the same league as the DSG's and other "dual clutch" automatics offered by some companies.

In the end it comes down to personal preference though... many, especially many Mini owners, prefer a 6 speed and wouldn't feel right driving without giving their left foot a work out, and many others prefer the automatic transmission. I personally wouldn't trade my 6 speed for anything

 

But the JCW auto is coming soon, as an option with the JCW engine update. It has been announced for the JCW Countryman and should be available for other models in the 2013 model year.

http://www.motoringfile.com/2012/02/...h-valvetronic/

 

I stand corrected.

I never thought I would see the day an auto went in to a JCW. I like the idea of it, just blows me away. It's a sign of the times and where the market is going.

 

yetti96,a larger net gathers more customers = more models,more options.Q

 

The paddle-shifters on the MINI are a manual way to control a traditional-style automatic gear box--one that has a torque converter on it. The F1 style paddle shifters control a gearbox which has a clutch, but the clutch is automatically worked for you. No torque converter.

The S version of the Cooper makes 180 HP, I believe. It will take some doing to get to 250 HP. The JCW makes, I think, 208 HP. It will probably take a similar level of effort to get to 250 HP, because the basic motor is very similar. At the moment, no autos available for the JCW. (250 HP is quite a lot from a 1.6 liter, BTW.)

The only MINI that has AWD available (as an option) is the Countryman. And I think it's intended more for light off-roading ("soft-roading") than performance. All the other MINIs are only available in FWD.

I would not be talking to a salesman that snickered at me. I'd find another salesman, or another dealer.

 

Thanks to all of you who took the time to answer my paddleshift questions. I sincerely appreciate the input. I'll stick to the 6-speed on the new one. My auto interests run the full spectrum having restored a model A ford in High school (1964-66). to driving my 308GTSI for 13 years up my 2-mile gravel driveway to my home in So. Ore. (no trailer queen there) Sold my wife's Hummer H2 for the Mini and we both love it beyond belief. Hope to be a regular on this forum in the future. Bob

 

TRUE automatics, you are correct. Dual sequential and automated manuals can be INSANELY fast. Ferrari had one in the 360 or 430 IIRC that did something like 30 milliseconds. Insane.

I'm happy with the "manual mode" gate in the Mini. I have a Focus with "SelectShift".... Yeah. It's a rocker switch.



And instead of letting you get near redline, it shifts for you. Pointless and annoying. The Mini's gated shifter lets you get to redline and doesn't force a shift for you. I hate the rocker switch. What's the point?

 

I totally agree, I will not consider a JCW with auto as that is really what I want, going to be spendy, but it's what I have wanted...dark gauges, anthracite headliner, the works (literally, JCW.. lol)


FWIW, both the stick and auto are 6 speeds

Glad you could come to a decision at least...some times that's the hardest part in buying a MINI, options.