Can you drive an automatic using the paddle shifters and get the same results as a manual transmission? Meaning can you shift using the paddle shifters as effecient as a manual trans?

 

Another thing, is it safe to assume that the automatic transmission will require less maintainence over the life of the mini?

I know the manual is fun to drive but what about city driving, talking on the phone, eating a sandwhich, etc.

 

You can probably shift a little faster with paddles than a manual. But if you're not good at stick I'm sure paddles will be alot faster. Manual is more engaging. Paddles are exciting for a little while (they remain useful after the novelty wears off).

City driving in a manual requires you to exercise your left leg. You can get bluetooth in your Mini for hands-free (it's a car tho, not a phone booth). And eating a sandwich is fine so long as you're cruising down the highway in 6th.

 

We have paddles in our 08 and they are great but I dont think my wife has used them much in her daily commute.....she has only let me drive hers twice so I take advantage of it when I can. I do agree that my 5speed is more engaging but that paddle seems to be a bit quicker to.

 

It has been over 25 years since I owned a manual shift car. I prefer automatics as long as I don't lose to much in performance.

 

I had an RX-8 with paddle shifters. They were fun for about a week until they became boring. It is not the same thing. You can't drop the clutch, skip gears, aggressively downshift, or do any type of performance driving. I will never get them again. They were a waste of time and money and a compromise with the wife when we bought the car. She now has her own so I can drive a manual again.

Also, if you can't manage a manual transmission you shouldn't be talking on the phone, eating a sandwich or doing your nails while driving.

 

That is an unfair statement. I did not say I can't manage one. Sometimes I get phone calls. Sometimes I like to drive and eat at the same time to save time. And I don't get my nails done.

 

Sorry, I get mad when I see people talking on the phone while driving. If you get a call you don't have to answer it. They can always leave a message. Driving while on the phone needs to be outlawed, it has been shown to impair driving as badly as someone who is intoxicated.

Anyways, back to your original topic. Avoid paddle shifters. They stink if you actually like to have control of the car.

 

I am thrilled with the automatic in the Clubman S! Get it!

 

I just had a Cooper S with a manual as a loaner for a couple of days, it's fun and gives you more control but gets tiring specially in stop and go traffic. I guess it depends on where you will be driving. For me the Automatic fits the bill. Mind you, the Automatic is no slouch specially in sport mode.

 

The paddle shifters in the MINI still use a torque converter, the shift time isn't anywhere close to what a good driver can get in a good old 6 speed. Torque converter means weight, and it means more drivetrain loss.

The only way any automatic transmission can beat a stick shift is with a clutchless manual design like the dual clutch auto on the new M3, and the DSG Transmission that VWAG has been pushing for the past 2 years.

 

This is why the Autobahn would never work in the US. American's are just WAY too distracted. While driving you should be driving... not eating, not talking on the phone, not dialing, not texting, not reading the newspaper (saw that yesterday) but DRIVING YOUR DAMN CAR!!! .

 

As of July 1st in CA it's illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to USE a phone while driving... headset or not. Also anyone over the age of 18 MUST be using a handsfree device, and have both wheels on the car.

I think they should just outlaw it completely on the federal level. People need to pay attention while driving, not chit chat with their friends and read e-mails and text messages while cruising down the freeway at 70 MPH. That's why we have more accidents in a year in just CA than there have been in the entire history of the Autobahn .

 

What if you were to take a manual car and put a paddle shift system in it ? You still get the control and performance of a manual shift car, as the clutch is still used, but the 200 millesecond speed of a paddle shift system . It is not for everyone but it is fun More info to come after AMVIV

Randy
M7 Tuning

 

I am diggin' the paddles on my clubman.

It is NOWHERE near as efficient as a manual box, and it is not for all the time driving, but on some twisty's with the right practice.. it could be a blast!!!

 

I don't care if it takes me 3 seconds to shift and takes the paddle shifters .00001 MS, it's boring as ****.

 

I am not into racing the mini just driving it. Everyone here has either talked on the phone, taken a drink, or done something else you know you should not have. I do not live in CA and I am over 18. I follow the laws for my state. I agree it should be illegal and when it is I will follow the law. I also own 4 motorcycles and am not new to shifting. I have drive trucks for the last several years and I am tired of shifting unless I am on my bike.

Really, I just wanted to know how a paddle shifter would perform because I have not yet driven a mini.

Come to think of it, my Dodge Intrepid has an Autostick. It is propably similar to that? right?

 

The concept is similar but light years ahead of what you have in the Dodge. The programming of the AISIN automatic allows for very quick gear changes either with the shift lever of the steering wheel paddles. With the paddles you feel like you are in a vide game arcade its very fun!

This transmission is not a DSG and it may not be as involving as a regular manual, but MINI did indeed improve the programming and behavior of this transmission in the Clubman. I am very happy with my choice!

Same as you, I do not track or autocross my MINIs. So for street driving, the AISIN can't be beat!.

One thing to keep in mind if you decide to go with a manual transmission, is that the clutch kit is a wear item. At some point in the life of the car it will need to be replaced. In these cars the engine has to literally come out to replace the clutch, making it an expensive repair post-warranty (Hence why I got the extended service contract for my 6-speed '05 MCS).

An automatic transmission has the potential of costly repair bills, but you don't have comsumables in it, like the clutch assembly, that you'll have to factor in when it comes to calculate long term maintenance and repair costs.

MINI has been using the 6-speed AISIN automatic since early 2005 and I have yet to see or read anyone that has had premature transmission failure or any problems with it.

To me the OEM clutch of manual tranny MINIs is the weakest link. Probably my next MINI will either be automatic or DSG.

Don't get me wrong..... Nothing in the world replaces the level of involvement and driving feedback of a true manual... But not until MINI addresses the iffy quality of the LuK OEM clutch kits, my next car will be auto.

 

I'd prefer them to have all four wheels on the car- no wonder CA's roads are the way they are.

 

Wow, botched that one up. You know what I mean, both hands on the wheel

 

If you drive conservatively and know how to drive a stick it can last just as long as an auto without needing a new clutch. I know quite a few people (With plenty of mods) that have over 100k miles on their stock clutch. My clutch has 30k miles on it and I've got 100 HP over stock. Still running strong .

FYI maintenance plans and extended warranties do NOT cover the replacement of a clutch when it goes out. And it's not that bad, any good mechanic can replace the clutch for under 1k with parts.

No amount of programming can make up for the fact that it's still a slushbox with a torque converter. Ever driven the new 335 with the ZF auto tranny? They have the torque converter locked 95% of the time so that it can keep up with shifting, ever tried to take off from the line with one? You'll accelerate up to redline, then sit there for as the car shifts to the next gear (Quickly!) and slowly locks the torque converter (Ever heard that wind down on a gear change in an automatic? If you do that in a 6-speed you don't know how to drive. The car should be IN the new gear when you shift, not slowly transition into it. When I test drove both the G37 and the 335 Coupe the car basically has no power after the shift as the RPM's seem to climb, but you feel nothing, It seems like the car is trying to decide how to lock the torque converter, but takes it's time doing it. You'll be thrown back in your seat, then when it shifts it takes over a second before you actually feel the power kick in.

There's only so much they can do with an automatic. That's why most manufacturers that are interested in performance have switched over to DSG or it's manufacturer specific clutchless manual equivalent (F1, SMG, etc).

Some people drive only automatics, because they think it's somehow more work to drive a stick, I disagree, i've driven hundreds of cars, both auto and stick, and my choice time after time is going to be a stick. I live in LOS ANGELES and I have NO issues driving a stick in traffic. This isn't a semi truck, it's a 2500 lb sports hatch . Leave it in first and coast if you're in traffic, it's more work to be on and off the brakes in an auto than it is for me to just leave the car in first and modulate the clutch.

With a professional driver driving both cars back to back, one will be .3-.5 seconds slower consistently. On top of weight, you lose another 5-10% of your HP going to the wheels, and the slow, meandering transition between gears turns full power driving into guesswork.

The OP asked if you can get the same results with an auto that you can with a 6-speed. If you're asking whether you can shift the gears with the paddles, then yes, of course, that's what they're for. If you're asking if the two cars perform the same, then the answer is absolutely not. If you're asking whether the level of involvement is the same, then again, the answer is absolutely not. Planting your foot on the floor and pushing a switch on your steering wheel to move it into another gear takes no skill, and no effort, and offers no enjoyment whatsoever.

 

does or has anybody ever auto-crossed with an automatic??

 

My track instructor drives a 7 year old 4-cyl accord with a 4-speed automatic transmission (No tiptronic) and stock brakes/suspension. You can do whatever you want, but who do you think is having more fun around the track? Me raking through the gears or him with his foot planted on the floor understeering around the track .

 

why would it understeer with an automatic, and not the stick version??

 

I think Rustyboy155 summed it up pretty well. I've had the paddle shifters on an RX-8 and a manumatic shifter on an FX45 and really became bored with it. It might be cool for the first week or so but the novelty will wear off and after a few months. After a year I doubt you will even think to use it.

With respect to congested traffic, I live in Houston which has some of the worst traffic in the states and a manual doesn't bother me. It's not like a Mini has a strong clutch anyway, it takes little effort to use it.

Paddle shifters are a gimmick to get you to spend more money. Your going to be disappointed if you really want any perforance whether on the track or just going to the grocery store.

However, if your going to chit chat on the phone, eat breakfast, read the paper and pretty much ignore actually driving - an automatic may be best.