I’m in line now to order my MCS and have a tough decision to make… I’ve got it all figured out except for the transmission. I absolutely love the manual and that’s my strong preference. BUT, my dh’s left knee is completely worn out (and for some reason he thinks I'll let him drive it!), and I spend an hour each day driving home, with about 45 minutes of that in heavy stop&go traffic. So he says it has to be the CVT. It just doesn’t seem like near as much fun! Does someone out there have the CVT, and HONESTLY how do you like it? I want to talk him out of it but he does have a couple of good points.

 

Ok, first things first....

The MCS does not have a CVT transmission. Instead, it offers a hydrualically operated 6-speed automatic (With torque converter) and steering wheel mounted paddle shifters for "manual" gearshift changes in "Steptronic" mode. This transmission is manufactured in Japan by AISIN.

The Cooper model, does indeed offer a CVT transmission (Continously Variable Transmission) which is a totally and completely different animal from the automatic offered in the MCS. The CVT tranny is manufactured in Belgium by ZF. Although the automatics in both the MC and MCS offer similar driving modes (Normal, Sport, Steptronic), the mechanicals are completely different. The CVT tranny has no "real" gears, where as the one found in the MCS, has 6 planetary gears + a torque converter.

I own both a '05 MCS with the 6-speed manual and a 2002 Cooper with the CVT transmission. Both a re a blast to drive but both cars have different characters.

I have yet to drive the MCSa (MCS automatic) but based on the reviews and raves from current owners in NAM, the car seems to be solid fun and offers the convenience of a regular automatic with the fun of switching gears without having a clutch pedal.

Test drive both. No amount of descriptions will give you the exact "feel" or "feedback" that you are looking for.

Hope this helps.

 

Appreciate the education! Have driven both, but the MCSa only for a short drive - will have to give it another go with an open mind.

 

I love my CVT. We have owned the car for almost 4 years (It is an August 2002 build MC). The car has 37K troublefree miles and it is a hard working daily driver. The CVT has never let us down once. We have put over 10K miles in road trips and the car has been to 11 states.

The CVT is a mighty fun transmission and requires a good combination of skill + technique to get the most out of it in Steptronic manual mode.

However, since you appear to be interested in the MCS, then you need to ask owners of the MCSa for feedback. I have read that this car is very fun also and it is a good compromise between a fully manual car and the convenience of the everyday automatic.

 

I've had my '05 MCSa for a year know (a year old yesterday!!!!!!) and I think it is awesome. The only reason that I went with the MCSa in the first place is because the wife won't drive stick and the car was originally for her. If I was to buy a new one today I would still get the MCSa. I enjoy driving a car with a manual transmission but a manual sucks when you're setting in the Northern VA/ DC Metro area traffic. Plus the paddle shifters are so much fun!!

 

I've never driven stick before but I felt like it'd be a crime if I bought an automatic. I learned to drive it and I love it. Wouldn't have it any other way... and I sit in tons of traffic every day too, living in Chicago.

 

I have a 2005 MCS with the auto tranny, and I have to say, its....ok. Sometimes when your turning, you'll hit the gas and you can tell that it need to down shift.:impatient SOmetimes it does it late, sometimes it doesnt. You do have the padles, but its nothing like the 6 speed. If I could change my mind, I would have gone with the stick.

Again, all IMHO.

 

i would not buy a MT car for the commute. i tried it a few times, but it's just a pita. my MCS was originally a commuter...but with wearing different
dressshoes to work, other types of casual shoes, etc. it was just a big
pita because im super picky about seamless gear changes.

AT is best for the commute and play with your MT cars on the weekend
while wearing your shoes for driving.

so, if i was to buy a MCS for the commute again, i would get a AT for sure.
actually, i'd opt for the MC CVT. those are waay cool.

 

dh ? is that you designated hitter?, I assume it is because they usually are in that position when their knees get bad and they can't play in the field anymore !

 

I drive a MCS with the 6-speed Getrag, I love it, don't mind sitting intraffic with it. I like the concept of the MCSa, and I've heard good reviews, but I've never driven one. If you're looking for the power I would stay away from the MC CVT, but if economy and handling are more what you are looking for the the MC fits the bill perfectly. The really important thing is as was stated before, test drive both models and know what each feels like.

 

The MC CVT is a very, very peppy car. Needless to say, it could surprise a few MCS MT owners every now and then....

 

I own an '05 MCS with 6 sp. and drove a MC CVT for 2 weeks while I was having warranty work done - hated it. And there is NO WAY the MC CVT could hang with my MCS, IMHO.

 

I second that.

 

Thanks to all for your input. This is my first time on ANY forum, so was a little nervous! You've all been a great help - have decided to go with the MT. The test drive had already sold me, really, it was just the sensibility part holding me back. And since I'm keeping my current (AT) 'other' car, I can drive it if my little footsies need a break for a few days!