R56 MCS: To Shift or Not to Shift ?
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Your Worst Nightmare :)
Please explain how Im "missing out", if you would. Just curious.
4th Gear
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 337
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From: North Jersey
Ive driven sticks for 40 years, and went with the automatic for my 09 because my 05 S had soooo many defective clutch and flywheel issues in the first 25K miles I vowed never to own another manual BMW product again(research this in problems and fixes, both gens, before U decide) plus Ill need left knee surgery soon and I want to motor while recovering.
I couldnt be happier.
And for those who say the automatic is "boring," well, that is an uneducated judgement call based on past experiences. Maybe autos are "boring" in yr average GM and Japanese products, but certainly not the MINI--if one knows how to manipulate one in manual mode. Most here who diss the autos have never driven one, so how do they know?
So take the auto dissers with a huge grain of salt. They're just jealous because 1) the auto tranny is much more dependable than the manual's clutch and flywheel setup, 2) MCS autos regularly top their manual brethern at the track, auto-X, standing 1/4 mile, 0-60, etc etc., and 3) are certainly better if U have to do a ton of stop-and-go driving in the city. Good luck!
I couldnt be happier.
And for those who say the automatic is "boring," well, that is an uneducated judgement call based on past experiences. Maybe autos are "boring" in yr average GM and Japanese products, but certainly not the MINI--if one knows how to manipulate one in manual mode. Most here who diss the autos have never driven one, so how do they know? So take the auto dissers with a huge grain of salt. They're just jealous because 1) the auto tranny is much more dependable than the manual's clutch and flywheel setup, 2) MCS autos regularly top their manual brethern at the track, auto-X, standing 1/4 mile, 0-60, etc etc., and 3) are certainly better if U have to do a ton of stop-and-go driving in the city. Good luck!
And yes, I have driven one.
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,880
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From: Your Worst Nightmare :)
No prob then. But many have not, and associate autos with "boring." those are the people that bother me--pass judgement w/o trying it. 
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,880
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From: Your Worst Nightmare :)
i my question is, is the mini manual trans as reliable/forgiving as say trans on my civic?
(i test drove both the auto and manual trans at dealership, but am having a hard time still trying to decide, love the option of having paddles and very quick shifting at hand, but also love having full control with manual...)
(i test drove both the auto and manual trans at dealership, but am having a hard time still trying to decide, love the option of having paddles and very quick shifting at hand, but also love having full control with manual...)
And I dont know what "full control" precisely means, but I have no loss of control or road feel with my super-quick shifting auto, esp. in manual mode. You just have to know how to manipulate it and modulate the throttle for maximum fun. And with the JCW tune kit, well, it's a whole different beast.
Coordinator :: Upstate MINIs
Joined: Apr 2006
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Hi All:
I'm currently shopping for my first MCS! I can't wait to get one - and I'm considering ordering - but it seems the wait is waaaaay long (and it would seem that I'd have to wait for the 2010 maybe?)! So, I might be purchasing from the lot at my local dealer - St. Louis. I wanted to get feedback from you all - is it more fun to drive a manual MCS - or is it just as much fun to drive the auto! I've had manual trans cars in the past so I'm comfortable either way. My husband and son are convinced that it's way more fun with a stick!
So, to shift or not to shift?
Denise
I'm currently shopping for my first MCS! I can't wait to get one - and I'm considering ordering - but it seems the wait is waaaaay long (and it would seem that I'd have to wait for the 2010 maybe?)! So, I might be purchasing from the lot at my local dealer - St. Louis. I wanted to get feedback from you all - is it more fun to drive a manual MCS - or is it just as much fun to drive the auto! I've had manual trans cars in the past so I'm comfortable either way. My husband and son are convinced that it's way more fun with a stick!
So, to shift or not to shift?
Denise
Go on a nice long test drive with both and get a feel for what you like or don't like. Good luck on the purchase, you'll love it!
Manual for sure. I've driven a R56 loaner with an automatic and they are torture. I couldn't wait to get my car back. My fiancee noticed that I could drive my R56 with a stick smoother than the automatic! Sure, having the car a couple more weeks might of made me like it a little more, but overall I hated it. To me, the R56 is a great all-round sports car and a car like this has no business having an automatic transmission. Having 100% control over my motoring experience is one of the best feelings in the world. I do drive in mild stop and go traffic during the work week, but I never complain about it. The amount of fun I have when I'm not motoring during rush hour more than makes up for it.
Last edited by countryboyshane; Aug 10, 2009 at 07:07 AM. Reason: making my point THAT much clearer!
1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2008
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Well, I was looking for a sports car (used S2000 was one of my choices). When I test drove the R56 MCS in auto, I realized the MCS is as much a sports car as I would need, and thought how much funner it would be in a manual transmission. Even if the MINI came with a dual clutch transmission (faster shifting than a traditional manual), like VW or BMW //M, I still would have chosen the manual, purely based on the fun factor.
Another great thing about having an MT on an MCS is having low end torque, so you don't have to downshift every time you want to pass. I stay in 6th on the freeway, whether traffic is moving along at 50 mph, I'm passing, or I'm moving along at 75-80. Of course, you can always downshift to pass and feel the butt dyno at work (downshifting with a perfect rev match leaves nothing to be desired in a motorist's heart, and something you can't get in an auto).
To sum it up, I wanted a car that was the most fun to drive, and an MCS with a manual was the best choice.
Another great thing about having an MT on an MCS is having low end torque, so you don't have to downshift every time you want to pass. I stay in 6th on the freeway, whether traffic is moving along at 50 mph, I'm passing, or I'm moving along at 75-80. Of course, you can always downshift to pass and feel the butt dyno at work (downshifting with a perfect rev match leaves nothing to be desired in a motorist's heart, and something you can't get in an auto).
To sum it up, I wanted a car that was the most fun to drive, and an MCS with a manual was the best choice.
4th Gear
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: North Jersey
My gf loves her fit! it's a great commuter car. I wonder which one is faster, just a cooper or a fit..
OVERDRIVE
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,602
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From: Arizona
I have the stick but the manual is pretty cool IMO. Like most of the others said go with the stick UNLESS you drive in stop/go traffic a lot. You save money and the car is very "stick friendly". I had a 1988 BMW 325 stick and it reminds me a lot of that car.
4th Gear
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I do 95% city driving and the added work doesn't even register in my mind--the clutch is very easy to modulate. Instead of lifting the brake to creep forward, I just lift the clutch with slightly more finesse.
I can see how some would find it tedious--if that's you, go for the auto.
4th Gear
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: North Jersey
I'd just revise that a bit. Go with the stick unless you find driving in stop/go traffic tedious with stick, and will have to do it regularly.
I do 95% city driving and the added work doesn't even register in my mind--the clutch is very easy to modulate. Instead of lifting the brake to creep forward, I just lift the clutch with slightly more finesse.
I can see how some would find it tedious--if that's you, go for the auto.
I do 95% city driving and the added work doesn't even register in my mind--the clutch is very easy to modulate. Instead of lifting the brake to creep forward, I just lift the clutch with slightly more finesse.
I can see how some would find it tedious--if that's you, go for the auto.
1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2009
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My regular driver is a 94 BMW 540 6sp manual and I love it. I tried my best to convince my fiance to get our 09 MCS as a manual but she wouldn't budge. I was upset at first, but its still a BLAST to drive. If it were me buying the car for myself, I'd still probably go with the manual, but that said I enjoy driving this car and the manual mode (paddles and shifter) do work really well although sometimes I forget I'm in manual mode and notice the rpms creeping up higher than I usually take them for normal driving.
You can have fun in the auto. FWIW, I have really big feet and when I sat in the manual at the dealer I was worried that the clutch and brake peddles were a little close for my liking and that I would accidentally hit both. I never actually tested that though--despite my best efforts.
You can have fun in the auto. FWIW, I have really big feet and when I sat in the manual at the dealer I was worried that the clutch and brake peddles were a little close for my liking and that I would accidentally hit both. I never actually tested that though--despite my best efforts.
4th Gear
Joined: May 2007
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From: Lombard, IL
Go with the Manual!!! And if you are worried about waiting for one see if my options interest you.. I bet I could do better on price than the dealer!!! (and then I could upgrade to the Cabrio like I want to!!)
2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 55
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It's a personal choice for sure. For me, I wouldn't buy any kind of sport car with an auto transmission. The manual, for me, just immerses me more in the whole driving experience. Is the ocassional stop and go traffic a pain? Not so much, really, after a not-so-long while you don't even pay much attention to the shifting, it comes naturally.
I used to hate steep hills, like the one in front of my house, with other manual cars, but my MCS keeps the brake on for a second after I take my foot off it and engage the clutch. It's a beautiful thing.
All that being said, drive both and get what you like, it's your car.
I used to hate steep hills, like the one in front of my house, with other manual cars, but my MCS keeps the brake on for a second after I take my foot off it and engage the clutch. It's a beautiful thing.
All that being said, drive both and get what you like, it's your car.
3rd Gear
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