Good Evening NAM!

With the upcoming Not Normal voucher and an USAA car buying incentive, I think I may finally be in the market for a brand new R56 with manual transmission! I intend to use this car as a daily commuter and will be doing everything possible to prolong the life of the vehicle.

So when I was doing my research on the R56, I found out that there are many preventive maintenance you can do to prevent some of the common problems we see on this forum. This made me felt pretty good as I was slightly hesitant with all the issues I've been hearing prior to my research. The one thing currently that is still making me feel uncomfortable from buying right now is the clutch/flywheel premature failure...

From what I read over this forum, most of the premature clutch failures were results of a bad dual flywheel design. Does anyone know if newer R56s carries a newer clutch design that would eliminate the premature failure? If not, what are some ways you can do to prolong the life of the clutch/flywheel? What are some of your impressions of the Gizen aftermarket clutch/flywheel replacements? Would you recommend that over OEM replacement parts? Should I just consider switching to the Aisen automatic (fairly reliable if ATF/filters are changed every 30k) to make life easier? And if so, would that deduct any manliness points? :D

I apologize for all the questions, I am trying to make this post as efficient as possible. Thank you all in advance for your help!

 

I got the automatic because my wife can no longer drive a manual due to hip problems. I expected to hate it as we always had manuals in the past, including our previous Justa. I was wrong, the automatic in our MCS is wonderful. Just leave it in sport mode and it actively picks gears up and down. It has thumb shifters but the tranny does a better job than I of picking gears, so I let it do its thing and listen to the sweet engine sound.

 

Get what you want and know how to drive....
I have a 2005 stick....but if i was comuting in bumper to bumper stop and go....i would have gotten an auto long ago....
USAA is a great company....just be sure to shop around...deals still vary, and a car buying service is just that...a trained negotiater or a % off based upon their commission (kinda like their realtor rebate)....comparr it vs the motor-tober deals!!
And please make sure you can afford more than just the loan....repairs out if warrenty happen, but the loan keeps comming due much longer for most folks.....

 

PS
Most any high hp car is hard on either clutches (the mini does not take well to slipping it even a small amount at starts for a smooth launch....ok on some cars, but gets $$ on a mini....or even auto on a high hp car...thats why i say get what you want...you will be living with it for a bit!!

 

I have the MCa. I think the auto is good. But I don't drive stick. So that means nothing really.

If I understand correctly the auto-stick can be used to drive somewhat like a stick.

Bottom line is to chose what you will be happy with.

 

Get the manual.

 

Be a man, drive stick.

 

Be modern, drive automatic.

 

FWIW, starting with the 2011 models the clutch setup was changed. Are all these premature clutch failures you're reading about happening on later models?

Honestly the amount of reported clutch failures on R56s seems to have steadily decreased over the past 4 years. Or maybe this is just an incorrect personal observation.

 

Within the last year I've had two different shops tell me that you can't get parts for the automatic. If it breaks, you have to replace the whole unit. I'm still at the point where I'll drive a manual until I can't buy one any more, but YMMV.

 

I am a big auto person, the paddle shifters are great at the track and you get easy commute without all the clutch work.

However, my auto trans is not happy

I am getting a 2013 with a manual trans, as the expense to repair is too high. I have an 07 r56 so keep in mind my experience is from a early prod brand new model.

 

Both transmissions can have issues. There have been multiple problems with autos as well. Unless someone posts a quality metric comparing failure rates of manual vs. auto you shouldn't worry about reliability. Worry about driving pleasure, not pointless forum speculations

There is no substitute for the feel of a MINI with a manual trans. I have driven both the Aisin and the Getrag. The MINI is meant to be driven with a stick. The auto is a soul sucking slushbox that kills driver enjoyment and engagement with the road. Yup, I realize i have just set up myself for some brutal lashings from automatic owners but this is just the cold hard truth. There could be the sweetest looking MINI in the world at a car show and if that thing has an automatic it is junk.

 

Well, thank you for your service, or continued service to our nation if you're still in. I have a '10 MCS and with 44k miles, the 6MT has never been an issue. No failures whatsoever.

I'd say get a manual. More involved fun. When I drive an auto now, I absolutely hate it...lol

 

I think automatics have their place, but not in this car.

 

+10000000

I've driven the automatic, it definitely takes away the fun factor that makes a MINI a MINI.

 

i love driving stick, so I wouldn't pay $1250 for the auto option.

 

As others have mentioned, get what you feel most comfortable with. I have a 6sp and like it very much. Most of my time behind the wheel is typical suburban commuting with 10-15 stop lights / signs over the course of 13 miles that also included some interstate travel. If my commute were more biased toward frequent stop and go and/or bumper to bumper traffic, I'd rather have the auto.

Oh yeah, with the 6sp, it's really just my car, as my wife and kids either don't like or can't drive a car with a manual tranny.

 

A couple things... I'll number it for better readability!

1. First off, thank you for all the responses! Ra2fanatic, thank you for your support to the warfighters!

2. So DrewN, where did you hear about the new clutch design for 2011+ R56s? This could be the deciding factor of whether or not I buy a stickshift... I have to check again to see if any of the premature failures were from older models... Will get back to everyone on that today after work!

3. Yes, when an auto transmissions goes south, you have to replace the entire transmission which costs around 8-10k. From what I've been reading, CVTs from first gen MINIs are not as reliable as the newer AISENs on the second gen MINIs. AISENs, however, can fail if not taken care of correctly... specifically some folks never change the transmission fluid because they were told that the transmission fluids were sealed and can last a life time and this was probably one of the major cause of the failure. A few folks pointed out that routine transmission fluid changes could greatly lengthen the life of the AISEN. Again, I am neutral gear newbie so please shine in some feedbacks/corrections to my statement above if you got some, I am here to learn!

4. CountryboyShane as well as many others, thank you supporting the stickshift position! Do any of you drive your MINIs in traffic? I have never driven a stickshift before and have heard various things about driving in traffic. Some say its a stage thing and after awhile it doesnt bother you anymore while others say driving stick in LA traffic is horrid. I dont plan on driving through downtown LA everyday but will mostly be there on a weekly basis. So I guess my question is, does the feel of driving a stickshift MINI offset some of the annoying factor in traffic? In other words, would you much rather drive a MINI stickshift than other stickshifts in traffic?

5. Remphoto, ZippyNH and all the other automatic supporters, thank you for your contributions as well! I will most likely switch to the AISEN if the clutch design is still flawed... glad to hear that you guys enjoy it!

6. Random thought: Yesterday I started to shop around for other cars a little above my budget: used 335i, new 328i, Golf R, WRX, and the new Accord Coupe. I looked at all of them and I went back to see some pictures of the R56 and thought to myself: there really isnt any other car out there thats got more of a character than the MINI. I am at the point where all other cars are looking like, well, a car where as a MINI to me feels like its more than just a car... its a MINI! So towards the end I concluded that I am going to get a MINI, no questions!

7. Without including Not Normal + USAA incentives of $1250, what would a good deal($ off MSRP) from the dealer be if I am custom ordering an R56? My dealer said he usually can only do $500 off MSRP for custom orders... Is 2000 off MSRP a good number to shoot for?


Thanks again guys!

 

I drive from the SGV to Hollywood and Burbank all the time for work so I'm stuck on the 10/101/5 freeway all the time. 6MT in traffic all day so I know what it feels like to be in some of the worst LA traffic.

No other way I want it now. And I came from a Steptronic BMW 335i

 

Icevin, articles refer to the 2011 MINI having a new self-adjusting clutch, unfortunately I couldn't give you any details with regards to who manufactures it or exactly how it's better than previous versions (I tried, believe me ). Only vague references that it is more robust. For example,

http://www.motoringfile.com/2010/05/24/minis-revised-2011-engines-in-depth/#more-11905

 

I replaced an '09 328xi with the the 2012 MCSa. The Bimmer was a very nice car, but for the money and fun-to-drive factor (not to mention economy) the MINI is the better car. I do not miss the BMW at all.

 

I drove my MINI for two years as a daily driver throughout the metro Detroit area including some of our famously crappy winters. I come into work very early so I got to have a lot of freedom from stop 'n' go in the mornings. Afternoons it was somewhat congested but it didn't ever make me want to throw in the towel. I think if you're going to drive in the worst of the worst traffic the majority of the time there is an exception to get an automatic.

So you're new to manuals. Do not be afraid. Some of the dealers will even teach you. They are going to do what it takes to sell you a car!

 

lol, harsh.. but mostly true..

Completely true.


Regarding driving in stop and go traffic, I've put on over 200,000 miles since 2001 driving manuals through stop and go traffic. It's occasionally annoying but more often it's better than an automatic. Once you learn what you're doing, there's a lot more flexibility in how you use a car with a manual vs. an automatic. I love driving in traffic with a stick shift.

 

Dear all, spent some time generating a list of premature clutch failures from http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/dir...w/.f0f65bf/520 and it seems like there have only been a few 2011+ related clutch failures... Will return to this tomorrow after work.

This could be an indication that the somewhat redesigned clutch for 2011+ models are doing better at addressing the premature failures...

I think I will test drive the manual this weekend and check out how I like the whole clutch concept. Will keep you guys posted!

So disregarding the Not Normal/USAA incentives, what considers a good deal when buying a custom built Mini S valued at $28500 before tax/title?

 

I'm interested in purchasing the new mini cooper around next year. So that's probably the 2013 model right? Are there still problems regarding the clutch? What else should i take into account before finally purchasing one? thanks!