Hi All:

I'm currently shopping for my first MCS! I can't wait to get one - and I'm considering ordering - but it seems the wait is waaaaay long (and it would seem that I'd have to wait for the 2010 maybe?)! So, I might be purchasing from the lot at my local dealer - St. Louis. I wanted to get feedback from you all - is it more fun to drive a manual MCS - or is it just as much fun to drive the auto! I've had manual trans cars in the past so I'm comfortable either way. My husband and son are convinced that it's way more fun with a stick!

So, to shift or not to shift?

Denise

 

I suspect most of the manual owners will say manual is the way to go (which I agree with) and the auto owners will say the opposite.

Just have to test drive both.

 

I like to shift. It feels like I'm doing something besides sitting there, and I have full control of what the car is doing. However, if I had to be in city traffic a lot, I'd probably have an automatic. And the manual is cheaper and gets better fuel economy.

 

Unless you're sitting in traffic jams on a daily basis, go with the manual.

 

manual owner here and i say it makes no difference to me. minis are fun cars! heck i was having loads of fun with the automatic justacooper that I got as a loaner for a week.

just test drive both and choose the one you want more.

 

My MCS has manual. I just had a Clubman with an auto as a loaner for a week. I missed the manual. I could probably get used to the paddle shifters, if I had to, but really like the manual better.

 

shiftin is the only way in a sports car, yes I said sports car

 

Drive both then decide. I chose manual. Auto is boring.

 

I test drove an auto too, it was pretty uneventful. Ended up buying a manual.

 

I own an 09 Cabrio S Automatic. Go with the manual and spend the $1250 on other desired accessories.

 

If you don't mind driving in traffic jams in the manual, go for it. I would say the MINI's clutch is one of the easiest to use--my mom has a knee injury and she has no problem with it, even in stop-and-go traffic. And I can drive a manual just as mindlessly as an automatic, once I overcame the initial learning curve.

The automatic can be fun, too, and can also deliver great performance and good fuel economy. The Aisin automatic in the MINI is top notch.

Either 'box is good, so it's down to personal preference. I will say that the manual makes driving a much more visceral experience, though, and that the manual box can make even a drive to the supermarket entertaining.

 

Although not quite as good as the manual.

 

We bought Molly to be a commuter car. We commute 40mi. Round Trip w/98% in Stop&Go Traffic...I wouldn't think of getting a Manual, I just didn't want the hassle of having to shift through 45min. of Traffic. Hubby would have like the Manual, but he has bad knees and it's MY Car!!

 

If you were getting a Justa Cooper, I'd say no question, stick only. My MCS is a stick, and as much as I hate to say it in public, I think it might be better with the auto. At any rate, I think the 6-speed is overkill. I always skip at least one gear.

You'll have fun with either, I'm sure.

 

Just out of curiosity, hows a 6spd an overkill?

 

From I previous thread, there seem to be a number of people who typically shift from 4th to 6th and think 5th gear is unnecessary. Personally, I use 5th gear quite often on the 50 mph country roads that are my main arteries here. With the hills and curves, 6th is often too high, and 4th too low.

 

Continuing the 5 vs 6 speed into the auto transmission - the sport mode button drops you out of 6th gear.

I have driven manual transmission cars for the last 25 years. In traffic, it is no longer a joy, just a chore. Exercise left leg, row shifter, repeat hundreds of times each commute. My Clubman is an auto. Motoring is back for me.

 

I think the Mini is one of the easier manuals to drive (light/forgiving clutch, close gears, few "dead" power spots) and I do a bunch of stop and go... but I can see how some would prefer not to be pumping their left leg frequently.

 

The MCS six speed shifts beautifully with very well spaced gearing. You would be missing out on a lot if you were to buy an automatic.

Also, every automatic I have ever driven has been b-o-r-i-n-g to drive (including those in sports cars) after a few hundred miles.

 

I have a non-s and I think the manual is much better for a non-s as you need to use the gears more for good performance.

 

Depends on what you are doing. Are you going to be competing in any kind of motor sports? If so, manual will be the better suited cause you will be able to put the power where you need it. If it is DD and you are going to be driving back and forth to work and in a lot of traffic with the occasional trip to the track, an auto would probably suit you better.

 

I drove both but bought the MANUAL. It fits the willing personality of the MINI so well. It is a very flexible, forgiving manual and one of the easiest shifting manuals I have ever driven.

Regarding 2009 or 2010 it depends on when you order and if the particular dealer has any 2009 allotments left. In other words some dealers can still get you an '09 pretty quickly but others can't. Regardless where you buy it you can have it serviced at the dealer closest to you.

Good luck!!

 

I'm getting my MINI specifically because I miss driving a manual transmission. It makes driving the car that much more enjoyable.

 

i too am also having this same problem with deciding and had a few noob questions....

i currently drive a civic, (yes, i know, ive had it for ages though), and plan on upgrading to a mini soon. i have owned only manual trans cars, and am seriously debating the auto, my sis-inlaw has an r56 w/ auto, and its fun to drive around town, the shifts feel quick etc. my question is, is the mini manual trans as reliable/forgiving as say trans on my civic? i daily drive about 20min to work across town, but also do MANY canyon/twisty roads randomly, i can beat the heck out of the trans/motor on civic and never have regrets, is the manual trans in the r56 anyway comparable to it in sence of reliability??

(i test drove both the auto and manual trans at dealership, but am having a hard time still trying to decide, love the option of having paddles and very quick shifting at hand, but also love having full control with manual...)

 

Ive driven sticks for 40 years, and went with the automatic for my 09 because my 05 S had soooo many defective clutch and flywheel issues in the first 25K miles I vowed never to own another manual BMW product again(research this in problems and fixes, both gens, before U decide) plus Ill need left knee surgery soon and I want to motor while recovering.

I couldnt be happier. And for those who say the automatic is "boring," well, that is an uneducated judgement call based on past experiences. Maybe autos are "boring" in yr average GM and Japanese products, but certainly not the MINI--if one knows how to manipulate one in manual mode. Most here who diss the autos have never driven one, so how do they know?

(for example, I regularly drive a Ford Focus gov vehicle with an auto and yes it is boring, but then it doesnt have a M or paddle option.)

So take the auto dissers with a huge grain of salt. They're just jealous because 1) the auto tranny is much more dependable than the manual's clutch and flywheel setup, 2) MCS autos regularly top their manual brethern at the track, auto-X, standing 1/4 mile, 0-60, etc etc., and 3) are certainly better if U have to do a ton of stop-and-go driving in the city. Good luck!