I'm beginning to think about replacing my '05 MCS and, so far, my first choice is a Clubman S. The real dilemma though is which transmission. I'll soon be moving to an area with real traffic problems AND my wife is starting to have knee and ankle problems, so some form of automatic will probably be in the cards. I've had the opportunity to drive both an A3 with S-tronic and an M3 with dual-clutch. This would be not just a perfect solution for me, but the DSG seems to be such a perfect choice for the MINI (and especially for the Clubman, with its family appeal) that I'm amazed I haven't heard any buzz about it becoming available .... or am I just dreaming ?

 

The dual clutch trannys are really nice, but a bit spendy.

The automatic that's in the Clubby I have is a great transmision too, I think if you need an auto trans like I did due to knee problems you'd find it perfectly fine......

 

Well, the auto struck me as "OK" (and certainly an improvement) but not the sort of thing that would play to the MINI's small displacement, fun, sporty nature.

 

Ozbone wrote:
>> Well, the auto struck me as "OK" (and certainly an improvement) but not the sort of thing that would play to the MINI's small displacement, fun, sporty nature.<<

And you'd be wrong. The Aisin automatic is a very good transmission and it works quite well with the sporting nature of the vehicle. It shifts very quickly, is easy to use in daily driving and works quite well when you decide to make use of that fabulous little motor. I don't miss having a manual tranny one bit, and ALL my cars for the past 37 years were sticks.

 

yeah the Aisin in the Mini is darn good and responsive in manual mode.

I have a friend who has a DSG Jetta and while by all means faster and smoother its not light years different.

Which also begs the question ... most people that buy the DSG tranny cars never use them to their fullest potential. My friend for example could not be bothered to throw it in manual mode or even learn to mess with it. Seems almost a waste on some of these cars.

 

This is so good to hear. I am trying to get an auto Mini S (Clubman or hardtop) so that the wife can also enjoy it. I've been taken to going on canyon twisty runs recently and would be really curious as how the auto S would do there.. mind you, these are really fast canyon sweepers with hard S curves to boot.... I will let you know once I have the mini in the stable

 

Love the new MINI automatic (OK, new to me since I had their CVT previously) because it is extremely responsive and works very well. You can drive it by manually shifting, as lurch likes to do , or you can drive it in regular auto, use the paddle shifters, or put it in Sport Mode (not the same as sport button).

Always loved my standard shift cars but after a shoulder operation and a few other ailments, I was afraid of the wear and tear and possible problems a shifting could bring on... My MCC was not my first automatic MINI, but it is absolutely the best automatic I have ever driven! I will also admit that I actually enjoy driving this auto whether it's on the twisties of a MINI run, or the "open road" of the NJ Turnpike, the Hutchinson River Parkway, 684, etc., or - yes - in the stop and go traffic of NYC.

Test drive 'em both and see what you think you need and want.

Here's a thread or two to read through while you're waiting: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-and-more.html https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ic-manual.html and one about paddle shifting, too: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-shifting.html

 

However nice the current automatic is ... . For me it is not as nice as a dual-clutch. I'm not saying I wouldn't buy the current one, just that I'd prefer the alternative. I 'd be shocked if MINI wasn't considering it - and hoping they do so, soon!

 

Ah, sorry - I see that I misread your inquiry and didn't catch that what you really wanted to hear was that MINI was going to go for the dual-clutch.

 

I've driven a DSG GTI and a Sporttronic (or whatever Audi calls DSG) A3 and I honestly coudn't tell the difference in speed between them and the Aisin 6 when it's in sport mode.

After 8yrs of driving a stick that my wife could never drive, I finally buckled and determined that I'd get an automatic of some description. As a 3 time VW owner and a die-hard shift it yourself guy I was all set to pick up a DSG equipped vehicle thinking that it would be the only acceptable compromise. The Clubman came on my radar because I'd been denied the the opportunity to pick up an MCS (in 2002) the first time round due to an imminent baby and the worry of driving a small car in a state overrun w/pickups and also because I've mellowed with age thus an automatic didn't seem so bad after all.

I'd suggest a back to back comparison. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at the speed of the shifts and the efficiency of the turbo that has virtually no lag.

 

I have two Minis: a 2006 full factory JCW MCS Cabrio with all the bells and whistles, and a 6 speed, plus a 2009 MCS Clubman with the auto trans. For everyday driving the automatic wins hands down as it performs flawlessly in the full-auto mode in heavy LA rush hour driving but when the road opens up I can still have some fun in the "sport" mode. It's best of both worlds.

However, when the weekend comes along and I want to go canyon running. there is no comparison to the enjoyment I get from the 6 speed in my JCW. It's as if I'm directly connected to the car when I shift for myself. No substitute if you're looking for pure driving enjoyment.

That said, if your commute involves allot of surface streets or sitting in heavy traffic, I'd go for the auto trans.

 

Just a reminder that the MINI 6sp Auto box does not allow top (6th) gear when Sport button selected and/or Shifter in manual mode. The first 5 gears are Great when paddle shifted with finesse. PS: The auto will get you a ticket just as fast a manual.

 

I can certainly testify to the auto's ability to aid in speeding ticket procurement. The first, literally, first time I got a chance to stretch the legs I was pulled over by the RCMP 30 seconds later. $171 later I was on my way.

 

I am a manual 6-speed Clubman S all the way (it ROCKS)...but if your wife has a physical challenge to driving a manual, then you should make a decision that meets both of your needs . For someone who has no limitation, I would never drive anything else but the manual S, even in LA traffic!!

 

Love the auto had the manual don't miss it.

 

I too had to go for the auto tranny because my wife refuses to learn a stick! I do much the same as everyone else. Use the automatic when in city traffic. BUT when i'm motroring or there is little traffic i kick the shifter over in manual mode, push the sport button, and away i go...or as my daughter says "WEEEE", "go faster!".
BTW my 6th gear works in sport mode. What the tranny does do is if you are not downshifting manually in manual mode it drops to 2nd gear only and you manually have to shift down to 1st gear.

 

Believe me, having your wife unhappy with your car is not a good thing.
Make a little compromise... you get a car close to what you want and peace on the home front.

 

Amen! to compromise.
I guess the problem is that now that I've driven a couple of dual-clutch cars I see that as the PERFECT compromise.
After poking around at motoringfile I finally found a report by Gabe that investigated the idea that the MINI might eventually get one, but not until the next major model change, perhaps in 2012. I clearly can't wait that long for a new MINI so I guess I'll just have to give the current auto another chance. Thanks to all.

 

On MotoringFile, their interview said for the fall refresh we'll have something more "tactile" to do with our right hand (get your minds out of the gutter!) that will allow us to interact with the car more directly. Whether this refers to new HVAC controls (likely) or... something else is open to interpretation. If you don't need the car now, I'd just wait and see. If not, you could get a deal on a '09 when the '10s are announced (unless you're planning on selling short-term).

 

"tactile", eh ?
Now that sounds interesting.
Thanks !

 

You'll be quite happy with the various tranny configurations possible with the Club-S. You can be as lazy or as active as you like; YOU choose.

Good hunting!~