I'm currently contemplating buying a 2011 cooper S (either hardtop or clubman, haven't decided yet).

To those of you that have auto transmissions- how well do they function in manual mode in terms of latency / responsiveness?
Will it shift right away or does it think about it for a second?

I haven't been to drive a Mini yet as the local dealer is around an hour and a half away, but I'm a little nervous at the fact there are no DSG options on the Mini yet. I have driven a DSG vehicle around here and it was lightning fast, just wondering if the Mini will come close at all.

Thanks much for any and all info,
Matt

 

The auto trans on the MINI will respond to the "flappy paddles" as, or more quickly than an manual trans. I could do a double downshift with the paddles at least as fast as with a manual. It does respond quickly. I am unable to quantify exactly, but it is fast.

 

I can't say anything from personal experience, but here are the stats from MINIUSA.

The MCS manual does 0-60 in 6.6, and the quarter in 14.5.
The MCS autom. does 0-60 in 6.8, and the quarter in 14.9.

While not as quick as a DSG, the MCS automatic doesn't give up much to the manual. That's not the case in the base MC, however.

 

As my MINI is racking up miles I decided to try the sport button with the paddles today. I must say they are quiet responsive, indeed not as fast as a DSG but not bad either. I even got the famous Lpop and burble" for the first time . Your best bet would be to try it for your self. I do not regret my choice at all

Cheers!

 

I had a loaner and it was the annoying flapy paddle and as i was playing with it it did shift FAST. Its pretty close to an Audi auto trans (which im pretty sure is one of the fastest shifting trans on the market)

Any reason not to look at a manual? To me a mini just isnt the same in Auto and i think many Mini owners will agree that a Mini just needs to have 3 pedals

but, the trans does shift really fast

 

Thinks about it for a sec when using the flappy paddles...quick response when shifting at the stick (slap sticking). When manual shifting, I shift all the time at the stick. About the only time I use the paddles is when I'm driving in regular "D" mode, and I downshift at the paddle for engine braking when slowing...

 

It's decent but coming from about 10 years of driving a manual car only, you can still tell the difference.

FYI I'm pretty sure the audi doesn't have the fastest shifting automatic transmission. That probably goes to the Ferrari's and such which shift in milliseconds and it's decently harsh. I drove a SL63 with a flappy paddle gearbox that auto blipped the throttle, that was way faster and responded much quicker.

For what it is though, it's a decent auto tranny.

 

Many MINI owners would agree that it should have a manual, but many many more would say the MINI automatic is an excellent way to go.

You must have a reason for wanting an auto at all, what is it? Driving conditions, physical limitations.....?

Are you going to track the car? I do mine, and I find the auto to work very well in those situations too. As to how fast it shifts, it doesn't bang, but when you want it to downshift - it does - right now! But it's a smooth engagement - I don't mean slipping-smooth, just that it doesn't jerk the car.

Upshifts depend on the throttle pedal somewhat, in that if you're WOT, it will wait till red line to upshift, unless you let off slightly, then it will go right into the next gear. Again, it's a smooth engagement, but quick.

The best thing you can do is go drive one - that will answer all your questions. Don't forget to try it both with Sport on and off. Also, be aware that the trans/engine computers "learn" your driving style and adjust accordingly.

I agree that I'd rather have an Audi quality DSG, but there's none on our horizon, till then this does nicely.

 

I suppose i should have been more clear. I dont think there is a faster shifting auto then an audi in the range of cars below 65k and if im not mistaken Ferrari now doesn't hold the fastest auto anymore. Its the Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera and the Audi R8 V10 that hold the fastest shift times, but were talking .001 of a milisecond faster then a Ferrari....None the less, unless you have physical limitations a car, especially a sports car should be 3 pedal

 

The mini is nowhere near as fast (and not even same universe in smoothness) as the DSG. I was considering buying a Golf Diesel with DSG but I liked the MCS more...anyway the DSG blows the pants off the auto in the mini...it really is a manual which shifts for you rather than an automatic, drive one and see how it does not coast, etc. The only problem I see with the DSG is it's still in a teething period because it does have issues...just read up on GTI, etc. It did not deter me from preferring it but just something to keep in mind.

 

the response time seems decent IMO, also. I drove manual pretty much for the last 20 years, since I started driving. I wound up getting the automatic for my Clubman because it was a great price and had everything else I wanted as far as options and exterior color/trim. I drive exclusively in sport mode /steptronic (but no paddles on my wheel since I have a 2010) and I think the response time is pretty good. I have enough zip to pass slow cars quickly when I need it, and I can control the rpms better.

Note: I test drove a Cooper Clubman S, but I am very happy with the zippiness of my non-S in sport mode/steptronic.

 

You could test drive one and find out first hand .

 

first, I hate the term "flappy paddle," coined by those elitist Top Gear ***** that biotch about everything that isnt conventional
second, I had a manual 05 S and had so many problems with the clutch and flywheels (mfgr defects) that I forsaked that world for my 09 auto, and I have never looked back...
third, speaking of looking back, when Im at the track I am always looking back in my RVM at all the manual MCSs that simply cannot keep up with me, either timed or lapped (I should add I have the JCW tune kit attached, which turns the auto S into a completely different animal). The only ones that can keep up are the other modded autos, heavily modded sticks, and the factory JCWs, depending on the driver
Forth, with the tune kit and warmed Z-rated conventional tires I have been able to shave nearly a full second off that 14.9 1/4 mile time--last year on three tries I averaged 14.19, all in D Sport Mode on and DSC off. I just let that awesome Aisin do the shifting for me. Also managed 0-60 in 6 seconds flat, again on average of three passes, with one at 5.92
But most impressive, I've been able to record 50-70 mph "pass" times of less than 3 seconds Plus the Aisin is so tall in 5th and 6th, at the track Im not even in 6th until well over 110 mph.
Like I said, with the tune kit the MCSa takes on a whole diff personality. Now, all we need is a factory JCW with a DSG box option. Aisin makes one (7-speed) for FWDs under 250 hp; I dont see why it cant be used.
Oh wait, it's because of the perceived inferior "flappy paddle" moniker assigned by Brit media idiots, that fallacy that performance cars cannot have automatic trannies. FN ridiculous

 

Sequence,

While i Applaud you for sticking up for Flappy Paddle your also not looking at this quite right. Anyone and i mean ANYONE at the track with a manual car with a properly untrained driver at the wheel will lose time and time again against a Auto Trans. At the same time this is why automatics have grown so much in popularity is because most people want to say they track there cars and beat the pants off everyone. I would put money on it that a properly trained driver behind the wheel of a comparably 6speed MCS would beat your Mini.

Im also willing to bet that if you used your paddles/slap stick you could shave a few mili seconds off your times. The only time ever that flappy paddles should be used is in a F1 type setting or a ferrari your consistently tacking against other auto transed supercars. but at these levels of tracking (below 75k) a manual car with a properly trained driver will always prevail over autos.

Im not coming at you just because you had issues that turned you off of manuals and its understandable....I guess and i do get they point that if your in a ton of traffic, like to sip on coffee read the daily paper eat cereal and put make up on then i can see how a manual could get in the way of this and of course if you have some physical limitation that a manual just wont work.

To each his own, autos put me to sleep. Even if they are Flappied/slapstick

 

Top Gear **** and proud of it.

Auto is great if you do a lot of driving in traffic, but I often wish I had got a manual.