Hello all,

I live in So Cal and using I-405 to home/work. It is about 80% freeway and 20% local. In the morning is OK to me, but little traffic in the afternoon on the freeway. Local drive is OK almost every time.

I would like to go with 90% 6 speeds manual, but 10% Auto. Could you give a little advice to decide?

Thanks in advance.

ps: I did not mention it. I am thinking about 2008 MCS hardtop

 

I drive a 6 spd R56 and do quite bit of city driving. I recommend stick shift, it is a more engaged driving experience, more fun!

 

6spd all the way!!! Commute is 95% freeway, but with traffic much of the time. Being at one with my MINI in the hills.... PRICELESS!

 

Ooops, somehow came up twice.

But to reiterate.... 6 SPEED! But your mileage may vary. To each his/her own.

 

6speed.

 

Definitely 6 speed. My commute is about 80% highway and typically a few bad spots of traffic. Even in the worst traffic, I wouldn't trade it for an auto. I didn't try the auto with paddles in the R56 but did check out the vaunted DSG in a GTI and found it to be lacking in more sedate driving, in terms of responsiveness and smoothness. Besides, the 6 speed saves you money for either other options or mods.

 

Thank you all,

I was going to go with 6 speed manual, but I just thought what if I am in the middle of traffic..... so I was wondering how many of you have 6 speed and how bad traffic on your commute.

 

Just ordered a '08 MCS....6 speed.

 

I live south of you in north inland San Diego county and do the 15 south each morning in heavy traffic. I've got a 6 speed manual. Even commuting in traffic, the MCS is more fun to drive than any other car I've ever owned. It's like the car is reminding me that it's only a little longer until we reach the curvy roads...

 

According to the configurator, the auto and the manual are both 6 speeds, so saying I have the 6 speed means?

 

My first R56 was a MT; my second is an AT ---- I prefer the AT in Atlanta traffic.
I'm 6'5" and have long legs. Although the seat moves back enough for legroom, the steering wheel doesn't telescope enough and I had to keep the seat forward; my knees would hit the steering wheel any time I drove in a zesty manner.
You'll get better fuel economy with the manual but, anybody that says that you lose your visceral connection with the car from the AT hasn't lived with this AT. Don't judge the R56 AT by previous incarnations; it rocks.

 

m a n u a l

 

6-speed, no question about it.

Unless you have some sort of physical ailment that prevents you from being able to drive a stick, there is no reason to get an auto IMO.

 

Absolutely right! Automatic was never an option for me. I actually passed up quite a few R53s on the lot because them were automatic, even though they had all of the other options I wanted. I wound up ordering instead (R56).

 

I'm happy with the manual. I've driven it in Los Angeles and San Jose (Silicon Valley) rush-hour traffic and don't mind it, although most of my driving is country roads.

 

If your numbers are right, you will be disappointed 90% of the time with the automatic. I'd go with the stick shift. You'll figure out tricks to make stop and go traffic not so painful.

My wife's Cooper is an auto and she loves it and I secretly like playing with the sport mode shifting thingy

 

has anyone noticed how high the engine speed is when cruising in 6th gear? i would think they could knock it down a lot with different gear ratios but i guess that would also knock it out of the powerband.

 

manual.

 

Go with the manual.

All the fun outweighs the cursing when I get stuck in that 3mph traffic (if I slack up I cando 5mph @ idle in first on the R53 then it's just as good) but for anyhting that gets you past 20mph you'll much prefer the manual.

 

I think that much like the color of your car, the manual vs. automatic decision is one that you ultimately need to experience and decide upon for yourself. I drove automatics for my first 13 years behind the wheel, but the last five have been manning the stick. I spend a lot of time driving in the mountains and no time driving in stop-and-go traffic, so getting the 6-speed was a very easy decision on my part. Your decision, however, is a personal one. Hopefully you can test drive both and make an informed decision that you're happy with long-term!

Best luck,
~Neal

 

I don't feel I have as much control with an auto, so I always buy manuals.

 

I have a manual. It's quite pleasant.

 

Definitely go with the manual. If you go with the automatic, you can't get a Whalen shift ****. Nuff said.

 

Six speed manual is the only way to own a Mini. I've got a BMW 335i with paddles and I wish I had order the manual instead.

 

I live in the LA area of SoCal but work in OC--100 mile daily commute along the 105 and 91 freeways. 6 Speed MT is great! I've covered 30,000 miles in the past 9 months, so I would say that I've done a fair amount of driving here.