I've seen a lot of discussion about the MC versus the MCS, but I haven't seen anything on comparing the automatic transmission to the manual.

Any real world experiences you'd care to share?

MotorWorf

 

I've always been a huge fan of manual... its better in the snow - starting off in 2nd or 3rd gear, if you're brakes go out you can downshift, its fun to drive... yeah.

BUT, I've heard great things about the CVT. One of my members has it, as does L. Mini, and they both love it. I still go for the manual - still getting used to having a 6-speed though. I keep finding myself running at 30 mph in 6th, lol - gets you 38 mpg with an S at 40 mph!

 

>>I've seen a lot of discussion about the MC versus the MCS, but I haven't seen anything on comparing the automatic transmission to the manual.
>>
>>Any real world experiences you'd care to share?
>>
>>MotorWorf
>>
>>

With the CVT you'll get the F1 paddles on the steering wheel next year.

I still prefer rowing a manual, being a Luddite by nature.

 

There have been discussions on this in the past, including this thread recently that has discussed the virtues of the CVT (automatic trans). I have it and love it.... and I have always driven manual in the past so not knowing how was not the issue for me. CVT kinda gives you the best of both worlds!

 

CVT rocks!!! Go test drive one and see for yourself. It's a bit awkward at first, you have to get used to shifting without lifting your foot off the gas. The first time, I also kept pumping an invisible clutch. But after the break-in period, it took me only a couple of days to get the hang of it and to figure out how to get the most power out of this very cool tranny.

Bottom line is more about your driving style and your needs. If you regularly encounter traffic, drive alot in a city, and need to parallel park often, then the CVT may be for you.

 

Manual, expecially for this type of car. You will like it better.

 

>>I've always been a huge fan of manual... its better in the snow - starting off in 2nd or 3rd gear, if you're brakes go out you can downshift, its fun to drive... yeah.
>>
>>BUT, I've heard great things about the CVT. One of my members has it, as does L. Mini, and they both love it. I still go for the manual - still getting used to having a 6-speed though. I keep finding myself running at 30 mph in 6th, lol - gets you 38 mpg with an S at 40 mph!

38mpg in an S?!?!?
geeze, I thought I was doing well when I got 23 on the highway...
I guess I have to get the lead removed from my foot.
-Chris

 

For a fun little car like this, no question: Manual. The original Mini's did not have AT until the end of their run.

However, it is very nice that they have a CVT (cool transmission!)available for those in high traffic areas, or just like the style of the car and don't need the whole driving esperience, IMHO .

 

I guess that one question for you is: Do you drive a manual now, or do you know how?

I may be wrong, but I can't see many people who drive sticks currently switching to the CVT for their MINI.

 

At first, I didnt want the manual, but I know the automatic makes the car a little slower, and I wanted the "S" so it didn't matter. I am so glad that I got the manual becuase it is the best car for I manual that I have ever had.

 

i really appreciate my cvt everyday in traffic.
when this car is paid for,
i'll buy a S to motor around
in on the weekends!

president of can't wait for 2nd mini club! hahahahahhaha

 

I hadn't driven a stick in many years until I got my MCS a few days ago. It took me a couple of hours (still a little jerky), but I'm enjoying it. I got in my wife's SUV, and wanted to reverse out of the parking spot, and stuck my left foot down to pump the invisible clutch, started chuckling to myself.

By way way, what exactly is the CVT transmission, is it like the Audi Steptronic, where you can just shift up and down by pushing the gear lever up or down? Does it let you start in 1st? Does the display show you which gear you're in?

F1 paddles for the CVT? I'm sure potential MINI owners would love an MCS with F1 paddles.

 

>>i really appreciate my cvt everyday in traffic.
>>when this car is paid for,
>>i'll buy a S to motor around
>>in on the weekends!
>>

Wow.. I can't count on two hands how many times i've said almost the same thing.. I'd definatally say it's all a matter of how you drive, and what conditions you drive in.. me, I'm doing a lot of highway/country at speed driving... and you can see below how that helped me decide...

(besides the fact that I would never drive an auto, due to the whole winter thing...)

Rocketboy_X

 

"...if ya don't know, now ya know..."

An Edmunds article on the what-is of a Continuously Variable Transmission
it's dated pre-MINI, hence no mention of it.

_________________
Wisdom is not a function of age, but a function of experience.
*Keeper of the CWFAC list*

 

sambusik......
yes cvt is like audi's steptronic.
it does display what gear you are in.
there are three modes.

D..... standard automatic
SD.....is kinda like overdrive. it raises the rpm's by about 1000 over standard drive
steptronic. allows you to shift up or down. computer will limit the shift's if they aren't good for the car!
you can't go 80 second gear! the computer won't allow it, nor would you want to! hahahaha you get it?

 

yep, makes sense, I figured it would be like what Audi had. You think they would ever offer the MCS in an auto?

>>sambusik......
>>yes cvt is like audi's steptronic.
>>it does display what gear you are in.
>>there are three modes.
>>
>>D..... standard automatic
>>SD.....is kinda like overdrive. it raises the rpm's by about 1000 over standard drive
>>steptronic. allows you to shift up or down. computer will limit the shift's if they aren't good for the car!
>>you can't go 80 second gear! the computer won't allow it, nor would you want to! hahahaha you get it?
>>

 

i doubt it!
i think they would wait until they could make SMG more affordable!
that would be the joint!

 

you mean a version of the SMG which is in the E46 M3? drooooooooooool

 

I have never even driven a MINI but I am sure I will like it once it arrives. However, I have a Polaris Ranger ATV 4x4 that has a CVT transmission, I think it is the same principle and it works great. I had a 6 speed in a ’01 BMW M5 and loved all the gears. If I had a lot of stop and go LA style freeway driving, I would be tempted to go CVT, but then I would have to settle for the non S. I am lucking to live in a mountains rural area of SoCal and think the S with 6 speeds will be just the ticket.

 

sambusik.....yup!
bmw is gonna be offering SMG in most of it's line by 2005
let hope it will trickle down to mini at the same time!

jerrygee....
woah. i would love to drive a m5!
in your case i would go for the S for sure!

 

nice, they'd have to dumb it down a little bit though I guess. From what I've seen, there's up to 5 modes you can have the SMG in, in an M3.

>>sambusik.....yup!
>>bmw is gonna be offering SMG in most of it's line by 2005
>>let hope it will trickle down to mini at the same time!
>>
>>jerrygee....
>>woah. i would love to drive a m5!
>>in your case i would go for the S for sure!