Ok, I have a few questions.... I'm pricing out my 09 MCS... Will DTC (available December I know) replace the need for the LSD ($500 option)?

Also, the "Anthracite Headliner".... is it that big of a deal?

Finally, I have been a solely Automatic Transmission man my entire life.... however a lot of personal friends say MT is the way to go.... Are they right or should I stick to the AT? I've already owned an 08 AT MCS, sold it and now miss it so am back for Round 2 with a 2009. My lovely MA is kind enough to let me practice on a pre-owned 07 MT, so we shall see, but I do value you NAMers opinions. So, to AT or MT, that is the question?

**oh and any other option suggestions are welcomed, please. ***

Thank you much in advance, I appreciate all advice.

 

I can't speak for the first two options, but as for the manual vs. auto tranny I'd say the auto is pretty fun. You have the option of shifting manually with the nifty paddle shifters or ignoring them and letting the computer shift for you. Hitting the sport button changes the shift points for both up and down shifting and make the throttle super responsive. After trying that for a while I have got into the manual mode habit and I got to say I don't miss the clutch at all.
Two thumbs way up for the auto tranny

 

As far as the anthracite headliner, it all depends on what you like. Look at mini with and without one. I know for a fact though that if you want it get it becaause a $250 dollar option can go all the way up to $1300 after you have taken delivery.

Your AT vs. MT. I say stick shift is the way to go. It is so much more fun!! I would never get a car with AT it takes all the fun out of driving. (sorry auto tranny people, this is just what i think)

 

Regarding the manual vs. automatic transmission you will get the supporters and haters for each so keep that in mind.
Having owned both in my many years of driving here is my take.

Pros of the manual:Total control of driving.The thrill of shifting each gear and letting the engine wind out then up shifting to the next gear.Downshifting for hairpin turns or tight curves and blasting to the next one and repeat.Being able to push start in 2nd gear if the battery is weak/dead.Slightly better fuel economy.

Cons: The pain of constantly shifting gears in stop and go driving.Going into reverse gear instead of 1st gear since they are so close to each other with no detent to prevent that.

Pros of the automatic: Everything.Actually slightly faster then the manual which is most likely due to the gearing.Paddle shifters in manual mode.

Cons of the automatic: Not much involvement in the driving experience other then using the paddle shifters in manual mode.Slightly worse fuel economy.

 

DTC stops wheel spin by using the brake or by shunting the engine, kinda like a rev limiter. It is all about traction.
LSD delivers equal power to both font tires. It is all about go.
With LSD and DTC on, you can take off as fast as you can without wheel spin. Start breaking traction and DTC kicks in. Translation is you say "go" it says "not so fast".
LSD fans are gonna call for it, non fans are gonna call for a wave off.
Your call.

Anthracite headliner is your call. I like that the sunroof makes the car feel larger. Key word is "feel". Drop in, look, and compare. Your ride should be whatever you decide.

Tranny? Only choice for me was manual. I don't spend much time in stop and go. MT gives you more feedback and more control. If I am in a tight turn and don't want to shift I leave it where it is.

All in all, your call.
Enjoy!

 

I think the most important factor in manual vs. automatic is how much heavy traffic you'll be in, particularly stop-and-go. If this is an after work/weekend car, get the manual. But if you will be commuting daily in lots of traffic, get the automatic.

My leg used to cramp up after driving for 30-45 minutes on the choked freeways of Houston in the 80s. Also, with a manual transmission you can't use cruise control if you are shifting gears on hills and curves on a long trip. But then again, manual shifting on hills and curves is fun for many folks...just not on long trips for me.

 

Automatic will not shift to sixth but stay in fifth when Sport Mode is selected. Bad for gas mileage.

Don't know what the ratios are but after driving an auto for several days my impression was that the first and second gears are too short.

In my opinion the manual is one of the best shifting gearboxes I have used in a long time and the Mini driving pleasure is not complete without it.

 

I have had MT's in the past in a Miata and, I hate to say, a Vega. They were so much more fun to drive than the AT's. However, when I went for the test drive in the AT in my MCS, I was shocked at how fun the steptronic AT is in the Cooper.

I consider the AT to be the best of both worlds. I can use the paddle shifters or stick shift to get the feeling of shifting if I want to, or run it in AT during stop and go traffic and not have to spend the time in and out with the clutch.

I was sure I was going to get the MT on mine, but after driving the AT I decided to go with it.

As everyone else is saying here, it all comes down to your choice. Just thought I would share with you my reasonings for changing my mind and going with the AT.

Have fun deciding!

 

Everyone needs to get off the fence and give their real opinions. Here we go!!

Headliner: Probably the best $250 option for your interior available. To steal a line from The Big Lebowski, "That rug really tied the room together, did it not."

DTC/LSD: Different beasts. My suggestions is to bite the bullet and get the LSD. Biggest reason is that real enthusiasts who will look for a used one, will want it to have LSD. $500 to increase your resale value.

MT vs AT: The auto will probably have quicker shifts, cause less leg strain, and make it easier to find a DD if you go out to the pub. HOWEVER, it will also cause you to lose your self respect, get a time penalty in Solo racing, and suck the car loving soul out of you. Lots of pros and cons there to consider... but the fact that the manual is free is what should tilt the scale. Manual... for the win!

 

Welcome back!

I think going with the Anthracite Headliner depends on what other interior options you want. I have it and love it. It goes great with the piano black dash & chrome line.

Transmission? I think you need to get comfortable with driving a manual before you can decide if it will be right for you. Since you have driven autos most of your life it would be a huge change. The steptronic maybe the way to go to help ease you into shifting. It really is the best of both worlds. Drove manuals most of my life and really like to have the option to shift when I want and not when I don't. That being said it really is a personal choice... there's no right answer. (Despite what the manual proponents might tell you. )

Have fun planning out your order!

 

Tranny? I had a "Wheezzy" Honda Accord with an auto Tranny after many years of MT. My personal choice would be MT. Althogh, consider your driving patterns. If you are in a lot of urban traffic or highway traffic, auto may be the best.

Anthracite Headliner: My interior is Piano black, Red colorline and balck cloth with chrome line. I chose the antrhacite headliner because it is all tied in together. It does make it darker but I think adds a bit of sstyle.

 

The anthracite headliner is a lot of bang for the buck. It helps tie the dark interior together (esp if you have a black roof, which I know you don't see from the inside, but somehow it work). However, that said, if you are not getting a sunroof (I'd recommend it), it might make the cabin seem a bit dark.

I've driven AT cars for 25 years. Never had a MT. Spent about 2 weeks in college driving my mom's 320i, and occasionally drove husband's MT Toyota in the mid-90s before we sold it. Live in hilly San Francisco. Still had to have MT when I ordered my MINI. Practice in that loaner 07 and get MT! It's so much more fun to shift!

 

QFT, there's no real benefit to driving manual if you're constantly in heavy traffic. You lose all the benefits (fuel efficiency, fun factor) while gaining pretty much nothing (other than tired dogs).

 

Thanks guys I do appreciate the advice... it seems as if MT is the way to go. I'll have to wait and see how the 07 turns out first. Something about it is appealing. I live in LA and deal with the 405, but my job is close. The control aspect as far shifting seems fun... I can't decide. I just don't want to regreat getting a MT cause I do plan on trying to keep this one for more than 4 months (the longest I've ever kept a previous car)... And yes, I am going with the sunroof, so I guess Anthracite is a go.

Also, and this is a totally different beast I understand, but is a JCW MINI truly THAT much faster than a regular MCS? I've always wondered but never have driven one due to the MT only on it for 2009's.

Once again, much thanks, you guys truly swayed me for the Anthracite Headliner now, it's a go!

 

Be sure to test-drive both the AT and the MT before deciding. I hadn't owned a MT for 14 years when I got my first Cooper in 2002 with the MT. It's so much fun!! And I live in L.A., which has hideous stop-and-go traffic. At some point way off in the future, I may want to get an additional MINI with the AT, when I am too old and arthritic to handle all the clutching, but until then, I love my MT.