When I want to suddenly accelerate there was no way to rev match every time with a steptronic. With a manual I can rev match. I accelerate suddenly everyday.

 

I bought an 07 MCS auto and my wife bouth an 08 6-speed. The auto is impressive and usually, they will win 0-60 and 1/4 mile when it comes to a turbo car because they shift without losing any boost, in a 6-speed when you shift the car must relieve the boost so you lose a tiny bit of time between shifts.

However, on a roadcourse the 6-speed may prove to be faster since you can hold revs where the auto may upshift or downshift when you really do not need to (even in manual mode the tranny is programmed to shift if it senses that the shiftpoint is missed)

I think it is a matter of preference, while the auto is a tiny bit faster (even faster than the JCW equipped 6-speed) I will admit it is not as fun.

I personally enjoy the auto while my wife enjoys her 6-speed so really you can't go wrong either way.

 

 

Reference gear ratios from MINIUSA.com
2008 MCS, hardtop
Gear...Manual...Auto
1....... 3.308....4.044
2........2.130....2.371
3........1.483....1.556
4........1.139....1.159
5........0.949....0.852
6........0.816....0.672
Final....3.647....3.685

Just adding fuel to the fire...

 

Our two R53s were both 6MT, but the new R56 is automatic. The missus couldn't be happier with it however, and this after having *never* owned an auto in 20+ years of driving.

I'll stick with the manual in my ride though, tyvm.

 

it was said
''do own an auto, but I dive rt. 50 in to D.C. and at 7am with gridlock and traffic lights I just don't really have the want to play with a clutch every morning that much, so tiptronics are a necessary replacement. If I was still in college, or out away from grid lock for 80% of my drive I would soooooo go back''
I will be a 'Steptronic' MCS owner next week! I also own and have owned Porsche 911 , some 5 speed Manual, some 6 Speed Manual, some 5 Speed Tiptronic, All depends on where you will do most of your driving, I get stuck on a 90 KM Ride 3 Times a week that Should take 55 minutes, With Major Roadwork + Gridlock, It now in can take 2 Hours 15 Minutes Plus Each way ! The last part of the trek getting in to Montreal takes over 1 hour of Stop an go, The same for the return segment, Getting out Ditto!, So for me Auto wins out, , Cheers T.