you are a JOKE

 

Well actually you are wrong. as what you said was:
And asking me to drive his JCW and maybe be able to get it to do 12's on the drag strip is in no way as he never stated he broke a land speed record. And BTW I am sure there are probably MINI's out there that will do even faster times on the drag strip if there were to run it.

 

ran 13:20s @ 104 with a 2.2 60 foot on RUNFLATS since then have tuned the ecu ,upgraded turbo and added some sticky tires

 

^^ Now that is bragging! Ask and you shall receive!

 

 

The R56 & R53 auto ETC feel are actually faster than the Manual. It's in the code .

 

Interesting thread...

When I was shopping MINI's I was determined that I wanted a manual and felt that an automatic on such a sporty and fun car like the MINI was blasphemy. I test drove on Independence Blvd. in Charlotte, NC during 5:00 rush hour. Not a great idea.

After driving MC, MCS, Clubman, & Clubman S equipped in both auto and manual versions, I went with an automatic MC.

The MINI is my daily driver and I love it with the auto. When I want to play I go to 'manual' mode and have a blast. Feel like I get the best of both worlds.

To the OP - drive both. Think seriously about how you will use the car and what your driving conditions will be on average. Go with what you think will make you the happiest.

 

This is really the best advice. I would add though that preconceptions can greatly alter your experience when test driving so don't go in thinking the automatic won't be fun and don't go in thinking the stick will be a pita during normal driving. I've sat in rush hour plenty of times and never once have I felt annoyed that I have to shift. In my mind manipulating the clutch is just part of driving the same way a brake pedal is. These aren't old school direct link clutches controlling 500lb/ft of torque that give your leg a workout.

 

I live in the Bronx and drive in Yonkers all the time. I've driven my 5 speed in lower Manhattan. Automatics are for lazy panzies.

 

How many miles/hrs do you drive everyday?

 

I am in sales and I live just north of NY city so I am always driving around visiting with my customers. I drive in traffic all the time whether I am in NYC, Westchester, Rockland counties or Northern NJ or Southern CT. Its just a fact of the area. Sure it sucks but the car is easy to shift and with my mods the shifter is much more notchy. Making it even easier to shift than an unmodified MINI. I am referring to the Craven Speed SSK and NM torque arm insert.

 

Mini-Van....Automatic
MINI-MCS...Stick
Sports cars are supposed to be Driven not Steered.
I live in NYC and both my Vette and Mini are sticks. The Mini shifts so effortlessly, why get an auto.

 

Yea really! I drive 65 miles per day and half of it is in **** traffic. Put up and shut up!

 

this argument again? are you guys for real

 

Go with the automatic. It is much easier to text, call, put on your make up, shave, read.....whatever.

Otherwise get a stick!

 

Choosing the stick is a no-brainer. A really sweet trans.

 

We have both a manual and an auto. I have to tell you the auto feels much quicker than my manual. I also believe that it is quicker simply because an auto tranny can shift much faster than a human can. But it ultimately boils down to what you prefer.

 

I like to think of it as a liberal versus a Consevative. The liberal wants free stuff, whereas the conservative is willing to work for the stuff. So if driving a Mini desires free shifthing, then get the auto. But if you are willing to work for what you want, get the stick.

 

Could not have said it better.

Hope there is a Change of Presidents in 2012

 

I do not want to be rude but here it goes:
You dont go around asking what type of person you should date (blond, brunnette, red hair, etc...) right?
So why go out asking what is better for you? YOU are the one who will be stuck with the stick in traffic, or bore to death on a twisty road.
But if you want I can choose the options and color for yours, I mean unless some of the others here are willing to take on that difficult task.

 

In the traffic of SoCal I love the auto. I came from a 2006 BMW 325I w/sport which was an auto. The transmission is much the same. It switches quickly when in manual mode and the sport button is great. I still enjoy a good manual but I feel the auto isn't a bad option.

 

Subtle, yet effective

/thread

 

I do not want to be rude but here it goes anyway:
Drive quicker on a twisty road or play with the stick to kill time in traffic

 

I've always been a manual guy, but knee problems dictated an auto. For folks like me the auto does a good job and is still fun to drive.

 

Any proof of your runs?

Not that I don't believe you, but for future discussions, saying that some random guy on a MINI forum said they ran high 13's stock might not carry a lot of weight.

Know what I mean? Again, no offense... just hoping for more info.