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Hatchbacks Hatchbacks - Archived Discussions MINI Cooper: Manual or Automatic? 
35 messages, Last post on Jul 24, 2008 at 5:12 PM
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Replying to: shel6290 (Jan 29, 2007 5:17 pm) The Tritec (the engine in the earlier Mini) was developed outside of BMW by a competitor--Daimler-Chrysler, so here you've got a Mini, built by BMW, with an indirect link to Mercedes--that's a bit much for BMW to stomach. The new engine isn't just a Peugot--it was developed by BMW in partnership with Peugot; there are several variants of the engine going into several different cars (including the Clio if I'm not mistaken). The Tritec engine (which is in all cars from 2002 to 2006) is a great engine; the supercharged variant found on the S has won several awards. It's bulletproof--there have been very few problems with it, including the 2002's (the issues with the early models centered on issues other than the engine, perhaps with the exception of the dreaded yo-yo, which was later fixed with reprogramming). I love the Tritec, and the supercharger--I think it fits the quirky personality of the Mini better than a twin scroll turbo (everything has a turbo in this day and age). It's why I bought a 2006 rather than a 2007. But the Tritec has its limitations. It's not nearly as refined as the new engine, and probably more importantly, it's much, much more thirsty--for Mini to remain competitive in the small car market, it needed a much more economical engine--and the new one certainly accomplishes this. The new engine, by all accounts, is a better engine for everyday driving--it's quieter, more sophisticate, better mpg, and slightly more horsepower, and quite a bit better torque. It will appeal more to the everyday driver, which is exactly what Mini was trying to accomplish. Me, I'll take the relatively worse MPG--I'll take the whine of the supercharger anyday...My concern is that although the new car is more refined, it may be a bit too refined for my tastes--a certain amount of edginess has been removed from the car, which was one of the reasons I liked it so much in the first place. So for me, I'll take the Tritech, mod it (In fact my car is in the process of this as we speak), and pass on the R56. I bought my 2006 with the thought that I'd trade it in if I liked the R56, or keep my 2006 forever if I didn't--I've opted for the latter. I'll check out the R56 again this week in Chicago, and although I've seen one, I haven't driven one--but I've seen enough.
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Replying to: cct1 (Jan 29, 2007 6:17 pm) The manual transmission base cars aren't available yet but I did drive the new automatic, and it's really a *great* unit with the paddle shifter. Better in every way than the old automatic! Also I agree 100% the new engine is much more refined than the old one (in the base car I mean). As for "new model blues" I'm going to lease and stick to a non-turbo, so I'm hedging my bets there. Now the BIG question...Mellow Yellow with black stripes and black roof or Chili Red with white strips and white roof? I'm not sure I really like a red MINI, but I"m not sure I don't  PS: Someone said that the new manual trans has longer gears in first and second---can't verify this one way or the other yet. |
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Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Mar 22, 2007 9:59 pm) You gotta go with the Red, or else you drive around looking like a bumble bee!! Larry 2003 Mini base Pepper White w/black roof 53k miles 100k smiles just had to get brake work done!! |
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Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Mar 22, 2007 9:59 pm) I am not a huge yellow fan, but I have to admit the new yellow is very well done, and I'd probably go with that over red and white simply because it'll be less common. But, if I was getting a 2007, I'd probably go sparkling silver/black, and do it up with black stripes. I saw pictures of this, and thought it looked awful. Then I saw it in person--it looks stunning in the flesh, especially in sunlight or under lights. There is also an unconfirmed rumor floating about that it might be a one year offering, meaning it would remain a fairly rare combination. Its my new favorite color. Personally, if your getting a Cooper, that makes more sense to me than the S--I'd probably go with a 2007 Cooper over a 2006 Cooper, especially with the new valvtronic engine. But for the S, I like the 2006 with the supercharger over the 2007 with the turbo--the 2007 is admittedly quicker, but without the thrill of the 2006. But I added the JCW engine package to my 2006--gets me the torque I wanted, and the car is perfect now. Not exactly the mose economical way to go about it, but I'm hanging on to it until it dies; I just can't see ever getting rid of it.
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Replying to: cct1 (Mar 23, 2007 1:26 pm) OH, just kidding. Color choice is somewhat psychological...being a somewhat....ahem....mature individual...bright red seems so "mid-life" crisis for a guy with a bald head. Almost everyone wants me to get the turbo but nobody wants to help me pay for it....it's about $3K more I guess.... But red is cute, I gotta say....
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Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Mar 27, 2007 10:54 am) |
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Hello everyone!! This is a first for me. I ordered a 2007 Mini Cooper S Convertible late Feb 2007. Apparently, "My Baby" is in route to the distribution center and due to arrive 1st week of May even though I was told I would get it 6 weeks from the order date (NOT). I've had the same car for 11 yrs, 1996 Ford Mustang GT/stick and I HAVE YET TO CHANGE OR FIX THE CLUTCH. After reading everyone's comments I'm freaking out. You have all given me doubts about the Mini. I would have never imagined myself in a mini but after test driving the little sucker I was hooked- wow!! I haven't had a car payment in 8 yrs and I'm about to get into one so I ask does anyone have an 07 Mini S Convt stick and have you had problems with it? 
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Replying to: scorpio9 (Apr 19, 2007 5:43 pm)  As far as the manual goes...I don't think you need to worry because its a new transmission all together. The dealer informed me that they have made extensive changes to the transmission. Mine is a manual as well. |
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Hi everyone! I'm just wondering if all manual transmission Minis have hill holder feature?
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I had the opportunity to drive an '07 Cooper automatic yesterday as a service loaner. While the new auto tranny has eliminated all the low-speed lurchiness of the CVT, I found the lower gear ratios (especially 1st gear) to be extremely short. It takes no time to redline it in 1st gear. The worst part is that it produces more noise and commotion than motion! It also exhibited some gear-hunting, and downshifts were sometimes quite abrupt. Overall, I must say I was a bit disappointed with the performance of the new tranny.  Does anyone else have a similar opinion? And I wonder if the tranny works better with the turbo motor, which has a flatter torque curve? Also, thinking back, the service loaner may have had the sport package, which comes with the Sport Button. So it may have been on sport mode. Perhaps taking it off sport mode may result in more "civilized" performance?
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