Well, being a gimp (I'm a paraplegic and use a wheelchair) I'm pretty excited that I'm going to have the opportunity to "manually" shift my MCS if I want. I applaud Mini for offering a MCS with this option. In fact, I was actually prepared to settle for a Cooper CVT last summer and an email exchange with MiniUSA hinted that I might want to wait until the end of the year if I really wanted the performance of an S (now I just have to wait until JCW is offered for the auto). In fact, Mini will even pay for my hand controls. I've never had that offer before.

Regarding the wiper stalk, funny thing was that the show was so packed and I had to wait to get close to the car that, when I did get there I was so excited to see the paddles (I've never purchased such a thing sight-unseen before) and get a picture that I barely noticed anything else. I was also anxious to confirm that both paddles shift up and down - seeing as how I drive with one hand on the wheel and one on the hand control.

February build coming up - I can't wait.

Steve

 

I'm thinking about getting MCS in auto as well. I'm planning to buy a 3rd car .. still debating between Golf GTI, Mazda3, MB C230 sport or MCS auto. I hope my local MINI will have it soon, I wanna go test drive it .. :smile:

 

Wait i don't get it, they don't make Bluetooth a factory option but they build it into the wheel from the factory???

I gotta talk with Ian and see if he can program them to do something useful since i won't pay $400-$800 for the Bluetooth adapter. I would have paid $150-$200 from the factory though....

 

I make no excuses for ordering the auto. Same approach you should have when someone with superior driving skills hands you your @ss at the track. How old scholl to think that a car has to have a stick to be sporty. I would be willing to be that there are very few stick jockeys that can even heel-toe.

 

right on minime05! i'm right there with ya - couldn't be more stoked for my mcsa and would love to see these morons crawl back in their holes. how un-mini like!

- d

 

>I would be willing to be that there are very few stick jockeys that can even heel-toe.

yah, I can only do the cheater style heel and toe on the MCS's pedal
layout..ball-pinky. And yes, I will smoke your AT's butt. jk


I just prefer having a clutch on my weekend car, that's all.

 

I have an 04 MCS with a few mods that I take to the track occasionally and I really enjoy driving it, but the wife has a bad back, and while she drives the 6 speed, it hurts her to drive in traffic. So I have been considering the idea of selling my 04 and getting an 05 MCS auto.

The one thing I would like to know about this transmission is can it be held in gear at any RPM including right up against the rev limiter without it jumping to the next higher gear. All the late model BMWs I've driven with the Steptronic style transmission (non SMG) all jumped up to the next higher gear as soon as you got near the redline. The ability to do this will determine whether this car can be driven successfully on the track or AutoX courses.



Bill

 

Whoever called me a *****, I was just joking, there was one of these at the end of my post ---> Just trying to rattle some chains, not make anyone mad. supergimp has an excuse, as do some others, but I've just dealt with too many people who can't drive a manual and refuse to, mostly out of laziness, it irks me. Besides, how are you supposed to burn out with a paddle shifter?

 

For me a car doesn't have to have a stick to be sporty. If I were wanting a track only car then yes a stick or SMG type tranny would make more sense. I have raced competitively both amateur and professionally for more than 25 years. I have competed in everything from Karts, Midgets (yes on the ovals), Formula Fords, Formula Mazda, Formula Atlantic, and Trans-Am. I have also done a little of the two wheeled action as well. The key to fast lap times has far more to do with the driver than it does the transmission. A better diver in an auto will smoke an average driver in a stick any day of the week.

Now lets get back to enjoying Mini's.

 

WooHoo, our Mini is alive and awaiting transport.

 

ROCK ON!

- drew