My first new thread. Wow I like the automagic search to eliminate reposts! More forums should have that.


Anyway, contemplating a new car and a Cooper S is on the top of my list. My only concern is that selecting the automatic tranny is going to make for a mundane driving experience.

The only problem is I hate driving stick on hilly areas and I will relocating to the city of San Francisco (steep hills!). Ok I admit it I suck at driving stick and the hills would make me a disaster waiting to happen. I had great fun with an manual saturn for a few months before but have been used to an automatic for the last 5 years, and no it's not like riding a bike!

Just wondering how many people have an auto MCS, how do you like it?

 

Just letting you know, people with automatics are going to say its just as fun as the manuals and people with manuals will say the automatics are not as fun. My suggestion is try and take a manual out for a night and see how much you like it. Try different roads and conditions and see if your comfortable driving with a stick. If your not get an auto. Either way its a great car!

 

Get DSC with the manual. Comes with hill assist.

 

+1 hill assist is great

 

Although i got an auto i always wanted a stick. Me and my dad agreed that since it was going to be my first car that it would not be stick or sport . I think i would take u 2 weeks max to get used to driving stick but it your choice .I still have lots of fun!

 

Pure and simple, this is a preference call. With a few things to consider. It isn't the hills in San Fran that make a difference, it is the traffic. Hill assist doesn't help with stop and roll traffic.
San Fran also has some pretty nice twisties outside of town.
Your call. Make it and don't look back.

 

OP I can tell you right now that the automatic MCS (I also have the JCW tune kit) is as much of a blast as the manual, if not more, esp on the track or twisties where one can keep both hands on the wheel while shifting yeah it's a slushbox, but a very fast shifting slushbox that's dependable as anything out there (Aisin, the manufacturer, is majority owned by Toyota.)

but yeah it's personal choice, try both. I have a physical disability with my left knee that prevents me from driving a manual tranny on a daily basis, plus I had ton of problems with defective clutches and flywheels with my 2005 S. To me, it was a no-brainer.

 

The Aisin box in the MCSa is excellent, don't let anyone tell you different I just ordered my 2nd MINI and it's another auto. In full manual mode it's an absolute blast.

 

Definitely a personal preference thing. But, yeah, driving the auto in manual mode is a joy IMHO. It's not *perfect*... but it's pretty darn good.

That said... if possible, find a local NAM or club member with an auto that you can go driving with (NOT just a dealer test drive) before you decide. The auto actually takes quite a bit of getting used to, to really understand how to get the most out of it with the different modes, the paddles, kickdown, optimal revs, etc... it's a different animal than driving the manual. Some folks get frustrated with how it works on a 5 mile test drive... and make a decision that will then live with for the next 100,000 miles... if you can go for a ride with an experienced driver of the auto for a GOOD demonstration, then try it out with someone in the passenger seat who can coach you a bit and answer questions (don't count on the dealer to be able to), you'll be able to make a more informed decision. You might STILL decide that the manual is for you - but you'll make that decision for the right reasons instead of because you didn't give the auto a fair shake.

 

You know what, I'm really intrigued with the paddles and I think it could make for fun driving.
My realistic time line to have a new car is probably by May/June, so I'll start test driving the next few weeks as I research a few more vehicles.

Thanks for all the input everyone!

 

And for anyone who doubts that you can have fun with the paddles... watch my right hand...

 

As everyone has said "It is purely a matter of preference" There is no right or wrong simply a choice of FUN or FUN!!
Either way it will never be a mundane driving experience.

I thought I had read somewhere that the paddles were going away for 09'.
Anyone know for sure?

 

Please point me to where you read that... never heard that one...

 

Love my auto MCS!
Drove stick for years in the Bay Area, never again, especially during commute times!
Get the auto, trust me!

 

DSC is standard equipment on all 2009 MINIs.

 

+1

I have the ASISIN automatic in my 2008 Clubman S and it totally rocks

 

The paddles are going away only on the Cooper models (Hardtop, Clubman and Cabrio) equipped with the AISIN automatic as of March 1,2009 production.

They do however stay on all S models ordered with the automatic gearbox.

 

Article published in Motoringfile on 12/15/2008:


http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/12/...om-the-cooper/

 

It looks like what I may have read is that the paddles are only available on the S.

 

Correct. See linky above.

 

I saw it on a bulletin at the dealership that indicated a change in March (along with the Horizon Blue color), but haven't heard anything else about it since then.

 

Paul, fantastic video!

 

If you ordered a new R56, R55 or R57 Cooper automatic and if it is built on or after March 1st, 2009, it will no longer come with the steering wheel paddles.

 

Thanks for the link... that'll teach me to stay on top of my MotoringFile reading...

 

OP U will learn that we auto folks are a pretty tight knit group, led by the infamous "stickless wonder."