I went to my local Mini dealership because they had a bunch of 2008 Cooper S loaners they were selling at a good price. Low mileage and now visible wear considering their use. But to my disappointment they were all automatics. I wanted a manual, but was wondering if anyone here drives an automatic S. I do sit in some stop and go traffic, but like the manual shifting in my 3 series regardless. Is there a consensus here regarding the type of trans this car should be driven with?

 

Manual-hands down. Obviously a personal preference but I truly believe for the Mini's, the automatics lack control compared to the manual. Obviously if it had the same as some of the higher priced sport cars(heel toe's for you, downshifts for accelerations automatically, holds gears till redline, etc.), then the automatics would perform better.

 

Not necessarily a hands-down.

I drive the boot off my 07 MCSa and I love it. I have the option of full auto or when I feel the twisties or the track, I can go full manual.

Use the paddles or the shifter, I prefer the paddles. Or I can leave it is DS with sport and concentrate on my driving.

Either way the MINI is great, but the new automatic is solid.

 

+1

 

+2

 

I ordered and prefer manual.....my .02

 

^^ Me Too!!!

 

I wasn't sure about the auto but I really enjoy it..... I know it can shift faster too. Oh just for giggles....in track testing the auto is quicker in the quarter mile. Lack of control....not in my opinion. My .02 cents worth. Either way they are a blast!

 

Go test drive an auto then go drive a manual, see what you prefer more. Even better see if you can keep one overnight and see what you like. Either way you would be getting a fun car

 

I meant hands down for me. And if you look at the spec sheet at your dealer's, the manual is faster than the automatic.

 

Here we go again, LOVE these threads. OP, do you really want strangers on a internet message board to make a decision as personal as this for you?!??!? Besides test-driving both and making your own decision based on that, what else do you need to know?

 

 

3 pedals! Keep manuals alive!

 

i hate my manual cooper..

Next i planned to order automatic S

 

I driven both and honestly like both. But given mechanical problems I've had with both MINI manuals (MC and MCS), my next one will be an automatic; auto is a lot more fun than I realized. Try both and see...
Greg

 

Blond, brunette, red head, jet black, bald, long, short, curly, braided, permed, parted, teased, frizzed, curled, wavy, streaked, or highlighted?

Thank goodness there are only two to choose from here!

 

had the MCS auto loaner and either its a real dog or this particular one had been beaten badly cause the auto felt liek garbage

i would be leary or a loaner car who knows if it was even broken in properly

 

For me its a no brainer...the manual makes me much more connected to the car...but hey like another said you can't make up your mind in a post!!!! Drive them.

 

I'll never understand why someone prefers to push a lever to shift. The seatbelt is enough for me to feel "connected". Or maybe just the feeling of plugging in the Ipod makes me feel connected... or better yet a thumbdrive. Could it be some prefer the smell of the clutch burning....??? Or maybe one's 0.001 second faster. Geezzz..... I think you should get both. That's what I would do.

 

+1

There is NO faster MINI than a MCSa in Sport mode. I grew up on manuals, and I still believe they are inherently slightly safer (you pick the shift points, and can kill power to the drive train). But I love my MCSa and I would never trade it for a manual.

Of course, you do have to consider that an automatic will cost more- both when you purchase the transmission type as an option and because it consumes slightly more fuel.

 

REALLY Not true at all. It will not beat a manual factory JCW...and in the hands of a good driver I would pick the manual MCS over a auto MCS in a race on strip or track.....any day of the week.

 

Just where are you guys claiming the MCSA is quicker getting your specs? I'm pretty sure BMW (as well as almost all other carmakers) rates their manuals a tick faster in posted 0-60 times.

 

This, and the fact that my left knee will require surgery soon, were the reasons I opted for the automatic. After all, the idea of using a plastic throwout bearing to me is ludicrous.

 

spec sheets dont mean squat. In real life, a stock MCSa will best the manual in 1/4 mile, standing 0-60, and stock class Auto-X.

 

Apple and orange comparision, man. Of course it won't.