MINI Cooper: Manual or Automatic? - READ ONLY

35 messages, Last post on Jul 24, 2008 at 5:12 PM

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#2 of 35 Deciding between two used Mini S types - Please HELP!! by vzebro Sep 27, 2006 (2:20 pm)
Hi, We would like to buy our first mini and are looking at two, privately owned used Mini S types. Car 1 is a 2005 with 20,500 miles on it. Premium/ Cold weather & Sports packages. Automatic transmission. Harmon Kardon sound system. From the pics looks very well maintained. I happen to know the owner and she is asking $24,000 but would let us have it for $22,000. Car 2 is a 2004 also with 20,500 miles. John Cooper Works & Power Packages. Sport/ Cold Weather & Convenience packages. Leather seats & Navigation system. Harmon Kardon sound system. The owner is asking around $23,000. Which should we go for??? I have heard that '05 is a 'better' car, but the '04 is so well optioned. Please advise asap as we need to make a decision within a day or two! Thank You!! Replies to this message: coupah (Sep 27, 2006 2:35 pm) vzebro (Sep 27, 2006 2:52 pm)
#3 of 35 Re: Deciding between two used Mini S types - Please HELP!! [vzebro] by coupah Sep 27, 2006 (2:35 pm)
Replying to: vzebro (Sep 27, 2006 2:20 pm) HI. Tough call.... Assuming the JCW has a standard tramsmission, That would push me over the edge. Navigation can be aggravation-not to say a distraction as well. Once you learn how to drive thses cars as they are intended, you won't be wanting to looking at a nav. Unless, of course, you're into rallying about. BTW, you're doing right by jumping in with an "S" model. Drop me aline when you choose! Rich Replies to this message: vzebro (Sep 27, 2006 2:52 pm)
#4 of 35 Re: Deciding between two used Mini S types - Please HELP!! [coupah] by vzebro Sep 27, 2006 (2:52 pm)
Replying to: coupah (Sep 27, 2006 2:35 pm) It would push you over the edge which way??? I know a lot of people like the manual, but my husband commutes a long way each day and automatic may be easier? The navigation is more for me - my sense of direction sucks and I need it pretty regularly. When you say Navi is an aggravation do you mean that it doesnt work that well? We have a Mercedes right now and the navi in that car is very variable. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Thanks for the response!
#5 of 35 If it were me.. by kyfdx HOST Sep 27, 2006 (3:15 pm)
... and it isn't... I would opt for a brand new one with Sport/Premium/Cold WX packages and a six-speed... Somewhere around $26K, I think? For a car that will have full warranty and a maintenance plan.. If I *have* to pick between those two.... I'd take the stick-shift..
#6 of 35 over to manual by coupah Sep 28, 2006 (6:02 am)
Here we are! I meant to say was that I think the standard is the way to go. Yes, they are a a bit more work in stop-n-go but unless you live in LA or NYC, i'd still go with the standard. What I have HEARD (only) is that the Steering-mounted paddle shifter are loads of fun but they work best at higher (highest?) RPM and unless you live where you can wind it all day, they might not be a solid choice. I orig bought a 2005 MCC, "learned" to drive it and then ordered an MCSC "My Way": Cold package, premium #1, Limited slip, DSC, Chrono, xenon, front/rear fog, 16" Sport (got Dunlops) $29,900 and I love it! Around here on New England roads, there are few other cars that can catch it. That said, get an "s" no matter what!!!! Replies to this message: vzebro (Sep 28, 2006 6:46 pm) coupah (Sep 29, 2006 6:07 am) markjenn (Sep 29, 2006 11:46 pm) and 1 more...
#7 of 35 Re: over to manual [coupah] by vzebro Sep 28, 2006 (6:46 pm)
Replying to: coupah (Sep 28, 2006 6:02 am) Ok, we have ruled out the manual transmission on a used car - too many people with major clutch issues. We're going for the automatic. We did take the advice of some of the people and looked at a 'build your own'. Now we have a choice of the following: Identically optioned cars. One new '06 for $28,615 or the '05 with 20,000 miles for $21,800. These are identical cars bar the year/ mileage. is it worth the extra almost 7k to buy new? I do know the owner of the '05 and know that the miles are virtaully all highway. She used as a commuter car just as we will. Any comments?? Replies to this message: coupah (Sep 29, 2006 6:07 am) markjenn (Sep 29, 2006 11:46 pm) coupah (Sep 30, 2006 5:33 am)
#8 of 35 Poor info by coupah Sep 29, 2006 (6:07 am)
Replying to: vzebro (Sep 28, 2006 6:46 pm) i think you've gotten poor and misleading info relative to the standard transmission. The problems noted by users apply to the 2002-2004 models. The (newer) '05-'06 Gretag gearbox has high praise. I drive my S hard (I don't beat it or bang gears but I HAVE and there are no problems). imho, the Mini was designed for the manual and should be driven with one. I further suggest you join www.mini2.com as get the true low-down. In any event and no matter what you by, welcome to the Mini Cult! Replies to this message: markjenn (Sep 29, 2006 11:46 pm) coupah (Sep 30, 2006 5:33 am)
#9 of 35 Re: Poor info [coupah] by markjenn Sep 29, 2006 (11:46 pm)
Replying to: coupah (Sep 29, 2006 6:07 am) My understanding is that the S always had the Gertrag boxes; only the regular Mini was upgraded from a Midland to a Gertrag box sometime in 2004 or 2005. It was these early Midland 5-speeds in the standard Mini that were problematic. I don't think the clutch has ever been a particular problem in any Mini, but the car is often driven very hard and/or abused and that takes its toll. And he CVT has come under a lot of criticism for problems over the years, especially the early years. So I would never judge the CVT to be a more reliable option than a 6-speed S provided you know the six-speed was not abused. If you don't know that history or previous owners, then yes, any manual transmission car is a bit of a risk. Another reason not to buy used Mini's in my opinion, and they're generally overpriced compared to new. - Mark Replies to this message: coupah (Sep 30, 2006 5:33 am)
#10 of 35 That's it! by coupah Sep 30, 2006 (5:33 am)
Replying to: markjenn (Sep 29, 2006 11:46 pm) Well stated, Mark.