I ordered mine with the automatic (with sports mode and six speed electronic shift mode)-- I have noticed few minis coming in with the automatic xmission. Is there a reason not to get the automatic? When I test drove the automatic, the six speed was impressive (especially from 45 to 85 with downshift to 4th and 5th), and sports mode was quick--

 

I can only offer my personal opinion, and that is automatics are boring, and this is definately not a boring car.

 

Get what you want!


The automatic is a little slower so I guess that’s a disadvantage. The standard is a learned skill so you might have to teach that to your other drivers so that is a disadvantage. My truck is a standard and my mom warned me "what happens if you get sick and there is no one who can drive a stick to get you home?" Guess what I got sick at a convention I went to last year and well all I can say is moms have a strange knack for being right about stuff don't they.

I have one of those dodge autosticks in my R/T because I thought it would be fun to still shift but I never use it. I find that car very enjoyable to drive, just stick it in D and go.

A manual tranny keeps you more involved and that is fun to me so I got the cooper with a standard. I love it, its loads of fun to shift, I have day dreams of being at Monaco while zipping around town, but those usually fade when I come to a light. My cooper is my fun car so it’s not a pain to shift because most trips in the MINI are for fun. If I was using it as a daily driver I might opt for the auto.


I am sure this has been absolutely no help but it’s my two cents.

 

another thing to remember is that the mini CVT is not your mother's automatic tranny. besides not having to shift, it feels a lot like a manual transmission.

The most surprising feature is that the CVT locks into a particular gear ratio, allowing for engine braking, especially in steptronic mode. "slowness" is also a very subjective term, especially since the mini is by far the most at home in the twisties.

-paul

 

I've always "Stirred my own"...it just doesn't feel "sporty" if I can't do 'em myself !

I was shocked at how many Autos were at the dealership were I ordered....can't be that bad if so many are ordering them...just not my "cup o tea. :smile:

 

I was thinking along with your mom. I have a back problem, (flairs up mostly while driving) and have driven auto for quite awhile, thinking I could still get around if my back wasn't 100%. Altho mini seats are very comfortable for me, I was surprised that when I tested the 5 speed, I felt better! I hadn't driven a shift for years and remembered that moving to shift made driving more active and relaxing. I wish there was a 6 speed standard. I was really impressed with the six speed on the CVT-- it really does feel like a standard and allows (as Paul well put) for engine braking. The six gears were nicely balanced, and the downshifting to 5th or 4th on the freeway was smooooth, and allowed for quick acceleration from 55 to 75+. On the 5 speed, seemed like I needed to move into 5th at about 55 or 60, and there was less punch from 55 to 75. I still haven't decided which I will go with, but it is great to have two good choices!! I'll probably mosey by tomorrow and test the standard one more time.
Thanks for all your help!
:smile:

 

What what what??!! This can't be real. You must get a Cooper S with a manual tranny. It's a must. It takes the fun out of driving the car with the CVT.

A CVT with the Cooper S is like a Cheeseburger without the cheese and bun.

 

I understand these new CVT autos are real nice. Althought just a little too new for me. Once they have all the first year bugs out, my opinion is that these will be the trannys to have.

 

I have a CVT Cooper and I like it just fine. I can shift when I want to and when I'm in a traffic jam for an hour of stop-and-go traffic I'm thankful I don't have to! So, I might not be able to beat a 5-speed Cooper in a drag race but guess what, MINI's aren't drag racers, they are canyon crawlers.

And the CVT is not available on the Cooper S so don't get too worked up about that.

 

you kidding me? they've been using these in europe for years. it's been in the mini in europe for at least a year.

-pail

 

Even if the MCS came with a choice, it'd only get a maunal. I enjoy being in control, and trying to eek out that little bit of speed during accelration. Not to mention, in the winter months, you're going to be much safer and much more in control with a manual transmission.

As they drilled into my head during my 5 hour course (the one for speeders, that is) "Powered wheels slip, non-powered wheels grip"

Rocketboy_X

 

Paul, they haven't been using a CVT on the Cooper S in Europe either... They've been using a Getrag 6 speed manual everywhere! And besides, they just released the Cooper S in Europe a few weeks ago!

 

I think some people don't realize there is a MINI Cooper and a MINI Cooper S.

Cooper comes with 5 sp manual or CVT auto.

Cooper S comes with 6 sp manual only.

 

I test drove all three trannys last weekend. I tried the CVT first and was greatly disapointed in it! It has quite a bit of "lag" in acceleration (especially from a stop, or when trying to merge onto expressway traffic). After test driving the CVT, my heart was broken. But then I test drove the Cooper S. It was AWESOME!!! I fell instantly in love with the Getrag 6 Speed Manual. The difference in response and power to the wheels, was VERY noticeable. I felt like I was racing in Monte Carlo down the expressway! When I got back to the dealership I went to place my order, only to find out there was a ONE YEAR wait on the Cooper S. So I test drove the Cooper with a 5 Speed. It was still a lot better than the CVT in terms of responsiveness of the engine, etc, but (of course) not quite the Cooper S. I've settled for the 2 1/2 month wait for the Cooper, with the option of trading it in for a Cooper S in 16-18 months.

Go Manual Tranny all the way. My wife hates manuals, but after test driving both the CVT and the manual, she INSISTED on the manual.

Your crazy to get such a fun car, and settle for subpar performance. Which one?: British Racing Green/White roof & mirrors or Pure Silver/Black roof & mirrors?

 

Did you try the CTV on the more aggressive "Sport" mode? Did you try it in Steptronic shifting mode?

I've driven the manual and CVT as well. It's true that the CVT in it's normal mode is a big sluggish off the mark. That's because it's set up for best fuel economy and emissions.

Flip it over into sport mode and it's a whole different ballgame. Quite aggressive and quick. Use it in Steptronic and runs almost the same as the manual Cooper except you have 6 speeds to play with.

The first time I drove the CVT, the salesman didn't even mention the sport mode and apparently a lot of folk don't even know it's there! :smile:

 

When I drove the CVT I accidentally found the sports mode and I agree, it is much quicker than the regular mode, especially off the line. I thought the acceleraltion when using the 6 speed was as good as with the 5 speed, and seemed even more responsive and smooth when accelerating from 45-75, using 4th and 5th. I think the manual 5 speed does have quicker response, and feeling of more control, but with the three options on the CVT, its still a hard choice for me. I test drove the manual again today, but there wasn't a CVT to compare.... I have until Mon AM. I do have concerns about the reliability of CVT-- I thought it had been tested on the mini in Europe-- Is the US really the first test of this technology in a cooper? If so, was the transmission used in another car, I hope... I will be concerned if this really is the debut of such a complicated transmission.... :smile:

 

MINI has been sold with CVT for a year in Europe now. VW has been using a type of CVT for quite a while (don't know if any were sold in the states.) Some of the new Audi's are coming with CVT.

I've heard the CVT was invented many years ago but it's taken decades for technology to make it reliable. It is a pretty new thing but it's not like we MINI owners are being the guinea pigs for it.

 

>>MINI has been sold with CVT for a year in Europe now. VW has been using a type of CVT for quite a while (don't know if any were sold in the states.) Some of the new Audi's are coming with CVT.
>>
>>I've heard the CVT was invented many years ago but it's taken decades for technology to make it reliable. It is a pretty new thing but it's not like we MINI owners are being the guinea pigs for it.



CVTs have been around a long time. The Dutch manufacturer DAF was selling a CVT-equipped car in the states in the early-to-mid '60's.

 

I doubt BMW would want to do the warranty work on untested technology.

 

Thanks for all you great ideas and help. I went with the standard. I test drove it again and decided it was quicker, I wanted to try a change from an automatic, and I want to change some not great habits that have come with auto (using cell phone, munching, spacing out), that I hope to replace with the fun and skill of active driving again. I decided want driving to be something I do, rather than something that I'm waiting to be over. If there ever is a car that will do this, it's the mini!!!

 

The CVT tranny is great, one of the best auto's you can buy. But can you get the thrill of dropping a gear and speeding through a 90 degree turn, or popping down to fourth on the highway and smoking every car in sight? The MINI's a performance car, don't rob it of a manual tranny. (The stanard IS good though, for a standard)

 

I have the CVT and like it just fine. when you get to be an old fart, changing gears doesn't seem so important any more. I have had two mini Minis in the past and used to change gears to my heart's content. I did notice however, that the distance to the left foot-rest is further away from you, if you're sitting squarely, than the accelerator pedal. I fixed the problem by adding an inch and a half rubber pad to the left foot-rest. And don't tell me that my left leg has shortened with old age! Ron

_________________
sirron

 

The MINI with the CVT ot whatever automatic they put in will not get the job done with any smile on your face until the car has 185 hp and similar foot pounds of torque........ I drove all cars with all the different types of trannies and also witnessed my friends trying the automatic which made them actually dislike the car until they tried the standard on the Base or standard on the S...............stay away from the automatic.................ugh....bad decision to go with it.....even the sticks have enough torque to leave the car in second gear or even third in slow going city or highway traffic........................

 

Either way, try 'em both, and get what you like... If I had to do a lot of city driving, I'm sure my opinion on auto vs manual would be much different.

Rocketboy_X

 

My Mini with CVT puts a smile on my face every time i drive it. Plenty of torque to pull away from the minivans and suv's that clog the roads here. Plenty to merge onto the interstate. If you want to drag race, you don't need a MINI. If you want to have a great time on twisty roads, get any MINI you like. :smile: