Aw, shucks.

 

OP Blimey raises good points about getting used to the auto, I fumbled and bumbled for awhile until I learned where and when to shift in the manual mode, how to paddle about efficiently, shift points in manual mode etc etc. Being a stick driver all my life it took reorienting, so dont get discouraged if it seems weird at first.

And with the JCW tune kit the tranny's shift points are tweaked for optimum performance when in full auto/Sport mode on, and there's no loss of boost as the car shifts. Exhilirating, to say the least.

 

This is a great point that is often missed... the prevailing opinion from many stickaholics is "I tried the automatic and hated it".... OK, but you have how many miles of experience perfecting your clutch-and-shift technique? And you tried the auto for how many miles before you decided it sucked, and assumed it couldn't possibly have anything to do with your technique? Folks assume that because they're "great" manual drivers, they know what they're doing with the auto, and it's just not true... it's a different beast that requires re-learning to get the most out of... just like many things in life...

 

I drove manuals for 15 of my 20 years driving. My last 2 cars were automatics because I was driving in NYC a lot. Even though I have a JCW that only comes with a manual, I would have been extremely disappointed if I had gone with a Copper S auto. I think the automatic on a Cooper S totaly removes the fun from the car. And yes I am very familair with both manuals and autos on the MINIs. To each their own.

 

Love the automatic myself, but I do agree that it is a personal preference. Also... driving manuals in stop and go traffic a lot isn't as fun so if you are going to be doing a lot of that, you might want to take that into consideration.

I recommend taking a test drive of both, and asking the MA who's riding along with you to take you through the sorts of areas where you normally drive. This will help you decide which will suit you better.

 

Boooooooo!!!!!

 

He is thoroughly entitled to his opinion, as are we all. I happen to agree with him. He just giving his viewpoint, and wasn't putting down other people or their choices. He even said "to each their own"! Why are you booing?

 

All the hills in SF might be an issue...but I've never really bought into the "commuter traffic" rationale for getting an automatic. I have owned almost 30 cars since I started driving at age 15 and all but five of them have had manuals. I have also commuted to work in Houston (which has its fair share of rush hour traffic) my whole working life and driving a manual has never been a hardship to me. To each their own.

 

You sure the DSC can handle these hills, lol?

Here's an example of what I drive up/down. And I have to hold gas and brake if i'm 1 or 2 cars behind the stop sign, in my heavy Taurus.

http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&...73220747889033

And for anyone in the area, down Filbert towards Washington Park... like driving off the edge of the city.

 

Tongue in cheek

I have been here long enough to develop a thick skin and a sense of crude humor.

 

And driving an automatic in stop and go traffic is a lot of fun?

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

It is simply a matter of choice. Both have their advantages, so you just need to decide what you want from your car. Similar to the choice between a pickup and a Mini. Both have their good points, but they are very different. You just need to decided what is important to YOU and then go with it.

 

Automatic Minis come with a PT Cruiser badge in the back.

 

The hill holder can handle the hills around Coquitlam and Burnaby, British Columbia, which are nearly comparable to the hills you've linked (at least the SF ones are flat through the intersections!).

In fact, the hill holder makes stopping and starting on hills a non-issue for me. The part I had to get used to was crawling up a hill, but it's simple enough now (yes, yes, never downshift into first... but my route necessitates it).

In terms of stop-and-go traffic, I don't think the manual is really much more complicated than the auto... as long as you aren't intent on hanging off the bumper of the car ahead of you. I can no-gas crawl during start-and-stop traffic, and it's fine as long as I'm okay with a 3-4 carlength gap in front of me and the odd SUV cutting in front when I do leave a gap. It's the same number of pedals (in an auto, let the brake up; in a manual, let the clutch up)--the clutch merely requires a bit more pressure and a bit more finesse.

There are cases where I prefer driving in traffic with the standard. Up a medium grade, for example--when passing, the Aisin auto still has a hesitation before downshifting even when using the paddle shifters (a delay that I'm sure is longer than a DCHT with a standard).

I believe the manual and automatic MINIs are essentially equal in performance (the manual is probably better through hilly/twisty courses, and the auto better in straight line... for most drivers). However, with the auto, I don't get the same feeling of "connection" with the car and motor that I do with the manual. The auto feels more like a computer with an input that decides what to do with the throttle and gearbox, whereas the manual feels like I'm controlling the car directly.

The automatic seems to be more reliable, but the manuals are decently reliable. However, the automatic costs more to fix if something does happen.

Also--I don't know whether this is an issue in the OP's case--the manual is better to drive in slippery conditions, hands down. Even though you can start the Aisin in 2nd, you don't have as precise a control over the torque delivered to the wheels with just the gas pedal as you do with the pedal and clutch in the standard. Then, there are times when the Aisin has the tendency to downshift a bit "hard", whereas with a manual transmission, if the road is slippery I'll rev-match and then let the clutch smooth out the transition even more.

EDIT: Long post, but I just have to say... there's nothing quite like the satisfaction one gets from a perfectly executed double-clutch heel-toe.

 

i ve got the auto and in still having fun

im sure the manual is blast tho.

 

It is not fun to change the clutch on a MINI. 9-10 hours labor and the engine must come out.

Until MINI fits these cars with a quality clutch, my next one will be auto baby!

 

His last 4 words say it all. Ive been trashed and dissed by the stick guys before many times (until at the track, haha) and I didnt get the impression here. To each their own; I couldnt agree more. But....

really I would love to demonstrate how to manipulate a paddled tiptronic slushbox to where the "connection" to the road is nothing but enhanced; Im telling ya with the JCW kit its a whole new dimension. However, I dont buy the argument that any connection is lost to the road, I feel it is enhanced by having both hands on the wheel for all gearing functions.

If they made a JCW with a twin-clutch 7spd gearbox like the v dubs have Id place my order t'row...

 

I'd say if you know how to drive with paddle shifters you can drive the MCS faster than the manual. The delay between gears is less than when you manually shift. You simply don't have to depress the clutch pedal and then shift.
I drive 100% with paddle shifters and it's working fine. I get the same "connection" feel as if I had the manual.

 

It's a difference opinion, but it's a difference and it's an opinion nonetheless.

I just don't get the same feeling out of the paddle shifters (having driven an auto MCS and a standard MC both significantly). It's still a button on a computer that tells it to shift down, instead of... operating the machinery directly. There's a little electronic nanny in there that acts as a buffer. That co-ordinates the details and executes the shift for you (and makes sure you're not doing something stupid, I guess). Whereas in a standard, it's all up to the driver. But, like what the poster above said... "To each his/her own!"

 

No biggie.

I've driven manuals. Every time I have had to drive them through serious traffic congestion, I've hated it. Especially the really finicky VW that my hubby just retired. I don't know many people who disagree with me on that one, even people who love and live for driving their manuals. So I assumed that was a given.. but we all know what happens when we assume.

You're exactly right, it is a matter of choice. I have so much fun in my automatic that I can guarantee you, the guy that's driving the manual doesn't have a bigger smile on his face than I do, maybe the same size... but not bigger. I don't think that having a manual would change the smiles per mile that I get with my MINI. Besides, I don't think the tranny is part of what makes a MINI fun to drive anyway.

What makes a MINI fun... is motoring down a blank stretch of road with lots of bends. It's about people stopping to ask you what your MPG is and seeing the look of shock on their faces when you tell them. It's about other drivers pointing at your car and smiling when they pull up behind you at a stoplight. Best of all, it's about waving to other MINI drivers as you motor past each other on a beautiful day.

When those things come together, any other factors are really irrelevant.

 

If you sit real close to the screen....

... and you click REAL fast...

... and you make "SCREECH!! VROOM!! BANG!!" sounds...

... you can pretend you're Steve McQueen!!!

You can also make your wife look at you in a real strange way!

 

ps.... Is that Alcatraz in the bay at the end of the street?

Damn! Great spot!

I've always wanted to visit SanFran. Road Trip!! (about an 8000 mile road trip there and back for me!)

 

My 0.02: Using +/- shifter is quicker than paddle shifters, is it just me?

 

This thread deserves a facepalm, IMHO. Seriously, @OP, research this by yourself, check the multitude of already existing threads on auto vs. manual, test drive an auto and make your own decision.

 

+1

Quit now from reading this thread. I've personally only owned manual cars but I've driven emperorboonday's MCS with the slushbox and it's damn good fun. I am willing to bet most of the auto-lovers on here have either never driven the manual counterpart of their car or simply already have the preference of automatic transmissions. This is something the OP needs to look in to by himself.

The good news is, though, with either transmission you will have a great time motoring.

 

Well I just cant believe how much I hate my MINI because I didn't by one with a manual trans. This is the worst car I've ever owned and absolutely no fun whatsoever except for the powerful turbo powerplant, go-cart handling, great european styling and customizability. I think I should just drive it off of a cliff but I can't for some reason cause it hugs the hairpin turns in the mountains so well. Damn You MINI! I would have been better off with a 1989 Ford Escort. Gawsh, what an idiot I am.

Disclaimer: This message is stated in complete jest. I figured I should post this disclaimer since sarcasm is hard to read over the intraweb and some people may take this seriously. After all this is an internet forum.