I am having difficulty finding the Mini Cooper S that I want (color, options, manual transmission). I found a 2010 that has everything but it's a GETRAG Automatic. I have heard that the transmissions in the automatics can be an issue and are expensive to repair. I'd rather wait and find my manual then buy something that will be a problem down the road. Also - have never driven one of these in "clutchless manual" mode - any feedback on that?

 

The automatics are Aisin units. The manuals are Getrag. Issues with the autos usually occurred in the first generation cars (2002-2006), with the non-S models, since they used a CVT transmission. The Aisin 6 speed autos are pretty reliable.

These do not have a "clutchless manual" mode (they are non DSG units). They are "manumatics", which means that the shift lever can be moved to the left and "bumped" in one direction or the other to shift up or down. S models and non-S with sport packages had paddles on the steering wheel. I don't play with the manual mode in mine. I just leave it in auto.