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Well I am looking for a fun daily driver and something my wife and I or my daughter and I can road trip in and have fun (just for 2, if its all 3 of us we have another car for that). So the only 2 door hatch available these days is the MINI.
I just test drove 2 of them, both 2019s One auto one of them Manual, much to my surprise I didn’t like the manual operation (I’ve always been a diehard manual enthusiast, but newer manual cars just don’t do it for me like the older ones) and I am trying to figure out if the 2019 MCS was the old 6spd steptronic or new 7spd?
any issues with the new 7spd transmissions?
Trying to get everything figured out before placing an order, thank you.
I am on my 5th MINI and extremely happy with my '22 JCW Hardtop. The new "DDC" suspension is a game changer, especially for a daily driver like mine. On my first MINIs I changed out the runflat tires long before they were worn-out because the ride was so awful. But with this new DDC I am going to keep my all season runflats for the long run. Just a thought.
Sounds like a great idea! Minis are a lot of fun to drive. Just so you know, my Motoring Advisor (salesman) said that they cannot order any more John Cooper Works (JCW) for the 2022 model. I had a Cooper S before this JCW I just bought and it was a lot of fun. I don’t know about the 7 speed tranny, but if it’s anything like the 8 speed, you’ll love it. Good luck.
MCS - drove 2 of them, both 2019s
I didn’t like the manual operation
I am trying to figure out if the 2019 MCS was the old 6spd steptronic or new 7spd?
.
responding to your questions as other have given answers you didn't ask for and for the JCW
'19 Cooper S gearbox: **assuming you are in the us of a:
6-speed auto for US F56s.
.
Box is just fine. other can chime in but i believe its the japanese Aisin sourced one. tap it into M/S+ mode and it rows thro quick enough. pretty sure US of A f56 S had the separate driving modes. M/S gear and Sport you will be fine.
*easy visual way to ID the tranny: tall upright traditional shifter: 6 speed. stubby gaming console looking stubby shifter: new 8 speed. Not sure where in the prod run they moved the US spec cooper S to the 8
Your first questions is on not liking the manual: Drive a couple back to back and challenge the salesman to educate you on the driving modes to make sure you and your family are going to be happy.
Last edited by curlywurly; Jan 20, 2022 at 11:58 AM.
responding to your questions as other have given answers you didn't ask for and for the JCW
'19 Cooper S gearbox: **assuming you are in the us of a:
6-speed auto for US F56s.
.
Box is just fine. other can chime in but i believe its the japanese Aisin sourced one. tap it into M/S+ mode and it rows thro quick enough. pretty sure US of A f56 S had the separate driving modes. M/S gear and Sport you will be fine.
*easy visual way to ID the tranny: tall upright traditional shifter: 6 speed. stubby gaming console looking stubby shifter: new 8 speed. Not sure where in the prod run they moved the US spec cooper S to the 8
Your first questions is on not liking the manual: Drive a couple back to back and challenge the salesman to educate you on the driving modes to make sure you and your family are going to be happy.
Thank you for the info. I talked to my sales person and did a little more research, turns out I was mistaken and the manual I drove was a 2019 but the auto I drove was a 2020 with the 7spd DCT. Also after some research it looks like the 7spd isn’t the gearbox I want IF I plan on modding later on (I can tell myself I won’t, but I rarely leave anything stock). I’d like to drive another manual but they only have 1. Seemed like the clutch pedal doesn’t come up fast and the car doesn’t like being shifted “quick”.
Oddly it looks like the DCT returns way better EPA highway fuel ratings which day to day I’m not overly concerned about MPGs but on road trips I prefer a decent range per tank.
I will drive a 6spd manual and 7spd DCT again before deciding which to order, thank you for the help!
I haven't driven a manual F56, but I was less than impressed with shifting my 2012 R60 when it was stock. A clutch stop is a great cheap mod that shortens the distance to the floor, so the clutch engages as soon as you let off the pedal. And it's cheap!
I haven't driven a manual F56, but I was less than impressed with shifting my 2012 R60 when it was stock. A clutch stop is a great cheap mod that shortens the distance to the floor, so the clutch engages as soon as you let off the pedal. And it's cheap!
I’m also wondering if these have a clutch delay valve that needs removed as well, I know my 135i had one and I’ve taken them out of 3 VWs at this point too, based on feel I’m almost willing to bet these cars have them too.
I have owned many cars with manual transmissions. One of the reasons that I finally moved to the current auto transmission is that with MINIs or any other new car with manual transmission there is a hesitation in RPM drop when upshifting. Sorry, but I really don't like this. Also, I like the ability to easily up or downshift in a middle of a corner without upsetting the car.
I think I am going to go test drive both again today and then place my order. I am heavily leaning DCT. Its so strange for me to say that, most of the cars I have owned have been manual but so many newer ones have numb clutch feel, or horrible rev hang that its just not as fun as older manual cars used to be. Drove my wife’s audi into work last night (it has S tronic, Audi’s name for “dsg/dct”) and each time I drive it I don’t feel like I hate how it shifts like I usually do traditional automatics and I felt the same when I test drove the dct mini the other day.
Wish me luck, pretty excited to place an order for a fun car!
I might suggest you think about ordering your car with the JCW tune. Engine remap and a new exhaust system. Really makes a diff on the car and is completely supported with the factory warranty. My last 2 Mini's had that option and I think it is well worth the money.
I might suggest you think about ordering your car with the JCW tune. Engine remap and a new exhaust system. Really makes a diff on the car and is completely supported with the factory warranty. My last 2 Mini's had that option and I think it is well worth the money.
I might suggest you think about ordering your car with the JCW tune. Engine remap and a new exhaust system. Really makes a diff on the car and is completely supported with the factory warranty. My last 2 Mini's had that option and I think it is well worth the money.
In the past when you've posted about this I was skeptical, but you're starting to win me over. I like our fJCW, but I could really give two ***** about the body kit. And the brake upgrade, really. I don't drive on the track, and all the bigger brakes do is require bigger wheels that I worry about curbing every time I parallel park because there's so little rubber on the sides. I remember back when the factory JCW option first came out it was just the engine tune, and the other bits were separate. I'd like the suspension upgrade and engine tune but don't really care about the rest.
In the past when you've posted about this I was skeptical, but you're starting to win me over. I like our fJCW, but I could really give two ***** about the body kit. And the brake upgrade, really. I don't drive on the track, and all the bigger brakes do is require bigger wheels that I worry about curbing every time I parallel park because there's so little rubber on the sides. I remember back when the factory JCW option first came out it was just the engine tune, and the other bits were separate. I'd like the suspension upgrade and engine tune but don't really care about the rest.
On our 2015, the kit was expensive, so I had to shop around and find a lower online price so our dealership would match it. With our 2019, the kit was offered as a "port Install" option and was priced less than the reduced priced kit I bought in 2015.
I cannot find the link that did a Dyno compare between a JCW, a stock MCS and an MCS with the JCW tune. That compare showed the higher TQ number on the MCS w/ a JCW tune compared to the full JCW car. A reason why the MCS with the JCW tune is faster and perker around town is the TQ numbers are higher and kick in at lower RPM than the JCW car. (A big reason why my salesmen was impressed with my 2015 MCS w/ the factory JCW tune than the ride we took in the 2019 JCW car.) There is a video of a dyno of the MCS 210 in the above link ( The 210 is for all intents an MCS with the JCW tune -and some body panel changes available in the UK only). Performance wise a US version MCS w/ the JCW is the same car.
Not denigrating the full on Mini Cooper JCW car in any way. If the upgraded suspension, brakes and body kit is important to you, then by all means get that car. If you like to track the car or are able to get and keep the RPMs up when you drive the car, the full-on JCW would be the car to buy. For me I wanted around town performance (due to lower speed limits and wanting quick off the line performance), I got it with the MCS and the JCW tuning kit from Mini.
On our 2015, the kit was expensive, so I had to shop around and find a lower online price so our dealership would match it. With our 2019, the kit was offered as a "port Install" option and was priced less than the reduced priced kit I bought in 2015.
Something to read:
I cannot find the link that did a Dyno compare between a JCW, a stock MCS and an MCS with the JCW tune. That compare showed the higher TQ number on the MCS w/ a JCW tune compared to the full JCW car. A reason why the MCS with the JCW tune is faster and perker around town is the TQ numbers are higher and kick in at lower RPM than the JCW car. (A big reason why my salesmen was impressed with my 2015 MCS w/ the factory JCW tune than the ride we took in the 2019 JCW car.) There is a video of a dyno of the MCS 210 in the above link ( The 210 is for all intents an MCS with the JCW tune -and some body panel changes available in the UK only). Performance wise a US version MCS w/ the JCW is the same car. You won't regret hearing about this online casino I found on this website. It ticks all the boxes for an unforgettable gaming experience. The site is secure and trustworthy, ensuring peace of mind while I play my favorite games. Their variety of payment options here and fast withdrawals are incredibly convenient. I've had a blast exploring their vast selection of slots and trying my hand at various table games. Trust me, this casino is a real find and is worth checking out!
Not denigrating the full on Mini Cooper JCW car in any way. If the upgraded suspension, brakes and body kit is important to you, then by all means get that car. If you like to track the car or are able to get and keep the RPMs up when you drive the car, the full-on JCW would be the car to buy. For me I wanted around town performance (due to lower speed limits and wanting quick off the line performance), I got it with the MCS and the JCW tuning kit from Mini.
