My '05 Cooper was getting a bit of work done and the dealer had to keep her overnight. They gave me a 2006 MCS as a loaner, then I noticed it was automatic. Drove it home thoroughly disappointed that someone could do that to a MINI (make it automatic). I watched the tach painfully as she shifted at about 2500 RPM's!! Later, after skimming the owners manual, I noticed it had Steptronic? Took her back out and was able to play a little. Now nothing compares to manual transmissions in my book, but at least this option wasn't horrible. You could actually control when it shifted, even from the steering column! It had these plastic ***** behind the steering column at the 9 & 3 positions. Noted several things...Not having autodimming rear view mirror is a mistake. Also, runflat owners...I feel your pain-literally! Can't wait to get my Cooper back tomorrow...new engine mount, brake flush,and squeaks taken out of the dash!! P.S. I had to shine this poor MCS as it was given to me dirty. Sorry, but there is absolutely no excuse for driving a dirty MINI, even if it's not yours!! Motor on.

 

I had no choice but to go with an automatic in my MCSC...my wife refuses to learn how to drive a stick and I did not want her ripping the clutch out. However, I find that I actually like the auto in the MINI pretty well. It doesn't have that tactile feel of the gear mesh in your hand, but you can certainly have plenty of fun with the manual mode and you can lay back and enjoy worry free top-down motoring in fully automatic mode. This new batch of manual mode autos recently available have come a long way (MINI, Miata, etc have them), it won't be long before they will truly offer the best of both worlds.

 

Now that I have traded my MINI I understand how poor the Auto trans is in the MCSa. My new Lexus IS 250 AWD's Auto shifts like butta and doesn't suck the power out of the engine.

 

+1 on the automatic


Tell her tough and that i guess she doesn't want to drive it very bad.

 

Yeah, but the Lexota has a much larger engine, right?

And what's up with an "automatic" on the "sportiest" (Yawn!) car in the Lexota lineup?

 

No way, in my opinion the MCS should have never been offered in an automatic. A sports car like the MCS DESERVES to have manual only

 

Could not agree more, but of course i got flamed for saying this in another thread so i welcome people to flame me here.

 

Live and let live...

 

Hasn't this battle been rehased enough times?????

I had to put up with a Hyundie Auto steptronic rental when I was getting service once, a day in that was a MILLION times worse than the week in a MCSa and I will add that the MCSa is the best auto tranny I've had the oppurtunuty to drive. However by principle I will never seek out a car without a manual for personal use.

 

Different topic then this thread altogether

 

IS250's had power?

 

Thanks for sticking up for the MCSa. There might be hope for you yet.

 

+1 to that.

There's a well beaten path here.

Every MINI owner doesn't have the same priorities as every other MINI owner. We all make different choices and that's part of ordering a MINI to your taste.

Moving on to other things now...