Sorry if its been aked before but do you guys consider the Cooper S manual a hard or easy car to drive standard in? I currently don't own a Cooper yet for I am doing some research. I've been driving auto for the past 3 years. Driven manual a few times. Easy car to learn in?

 

Its widely considered one of the easy cars to learn in. But I'd say rent a beater, beat up that clutch until you get the hang of it then return the rental and go take delivery of your MINI.

 

The MCS clutch is so easy IMHO it practically shifts itself. Mine needs more gas in 1st than any other clutch I have driven but other than that it's a total breeze

 

Not only would I consider it easy, I would also consider it sleazy, breezy and diseasey!

Seriously though, yes. It's pretty responsive but there's still some margin for error. It's certainly not a car that lurches and surges if you don't coordinate clutch release and applying gas perfectly.

 

Easy and most of all, a RIOT to drive. The S has enough power that it is also forgiving if in too high a gear. You really can't be in too low of a gear, it just makes beautiful music

 

Also, you may want to go with an '05 or '06 as the gearing is a little shorter. Not sure about the new '07's.

 

It's very easy. I've had my MCS for just over a month and it's been a lot of fun and a good learning experience so far. I had never driven a stick before I bought it. After a day of driving with someone who knew how to drive a manual, I was ready to learn on my own. Driving a manual is just different, so it takes time and patience to get used to. And it is definitely more fun.

 

i drove stick when i was a teenager... and then didn't drive it for over 17 years (lived in NYC and when i did drive, drove automatic). the MINI clutch is definitely an easy clutch, but I do still get some lurching if i'm not concentrating or being careful. And I definitely have to give it decent gas to get out of first -- although, for me, some days i'm more in the zone than others and it is very smooth.

2nd to 3rd gears and onward is a pleasure and lots of power.

I've definitely wondered if I should have just gotten the automatic, but I think this car is meant to be driven as a manual. the power of the manual is quite fun.

 

Easy progressive action with the clutch, very positive feeling gearbox, this makes the MCS an easy shifter. However, there is only a 1.6 ltr. powerplant, so you've got to keep the revs up (very little torque). The MCS is more akin to driving a motorcycle than a V8 powered piece of Detroit iron. Takes a little getting used to, but once you do, you'll be very, very glad you went with a manual MCS.

 

I never noticed it before, but it takes a good bit of clutch slip to get going in first right? This is my second Cooper S and I just now noticed it.

Oh yes and my sister who I have been trying to teach stick for the last four years (off and on of course) could not drive my 03 Cooper S to save her life but had no problem in my 69 MGB and my 06 Cooper S. I don't even want to tell you about her with the BMWs....

 

My JCW is the first manual car I have ever owned. Before that, I put over 83k miles on a '04 Cooper w/ a CVT. I had two lessons before I drove off in my JCW, once with a friend, and once with the MA in the dealership parking lot!

It's been about 3 weeks now, and while I' m not perfect, I'm doing just fine! It was a *lot* easier to learn than I was expecting!


-Paul!

 

One of the easiest clutches I've ever driven.