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MINI Cooper: Manual or Automatic? - READ ONLY

35 messages,  Last post on Jul 24, 2008 at 6:12 PM

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What is this discussion about? MINI Cooper, Convertible, Hatchback

Messages Page 3 of 4

#19 of 35 Re: Why the shift to Peugot engines? [Mr_Shiftright] by cct1

Mar 23, 2007 (2:26 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Mar 22, 2007 10:59 pm)
Red and white is classic, it looks great--but it is very common. Its ok if there aren't a lot of Mini's around your parts, but there are two red and white mini's in the parking lot where I work--and I live in a small town. I really love the combo, but I didn't want to be the third red and white mini in the same parking lot.
 
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.

#20 of 35 Re: Why the shift to Peugot engines? [cct1] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Mar 27, 2007 (11:54 am)

Replying to: cct1 (Mar 23, 2007 2:26 pm)
Yeah red is common where I live...also, it has that certain "Hey, Officer...yeah YOU...give me that ticket...I DARE you!"
 
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....

#21 of 35 Re: Color by minime7

Mar 28, 2007 (7:09 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Mar 27, 2007 11:54 am)
I got the mellow-yellow with black roof. Without the stripes, I prefer to think it looks more like a little taxi than a bumble bee. (Especially with the checkered interior.) Have had for a week now (It's a 2007 S) and have had alot of looks and compliments on it. Six speed turbo is fun...reminds me of a 911SC Porsche I used to have (I think the Mini's a little faster, tho.) Stick is easy to drive on the turbo, although am used to reverse being over and down to the right. Keep putting it in sixth gear and then can't understand why it doesn't back up!

#22 of 35 Just ordered an 07 Mini S Convt - but having doubts by scorpio9

Apr 19, 2007 (6:43 pm)

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?

#23 of 35 Re: Just ordered an 07 Mini S Convt - but having doubts [scorpio9] by pharmd718

May 24, 2007 (8:47 am)

Replying to: scorpio9 (Apr 19, 2007 6:43 pm)
Man!!! This sucks!!! I placed the order for my Mini S on May 15th. Currently my car is in the "birth canal". The dealer said 4-6 weeks. At this rate I won't see the car till the end of summer!!
 
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.

#24 of 35 Hill Holder by bobbid

Jun 01, 2007 (7:25 am)

Hi everyone! I'm just wondering if all manual transmission Minis have hill holder feature?

#25 of 35 New 6-speed auto by bodble2

Jul 18, 2007 (3:25 pm)

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?

#26 of 35 Re: New 6-speed auto [bodble2] by british_rover

Jul 18, 2007 (3:32 pm)

Replying to: bodble2 (Jul 18, 2007 3:25 pm)
The MINI should only be had with a Manual transmission. I wish they didn't even offer an automatic.

#27 of 35 Re: New 6-speed auto [british_rover] by bodble2

Jul 18, 2007 (5:55 pm)

Replying to: british_rover (Jul 18, 2007 3:32 pm)
Well, they have to have an auto tranny because too many people (my wife included) buy one only because it's cute!

#28 of 35 Re: Hill Holder [bobbid] by darex

Dec 13, 2007 (5:41 am)

Replying to: bobbid (Jun 01, 2007 7:25 am)
My 2005 MC is stick.
 
I've often wondered about this.
 
I never roll back on hills, and I refuse to believe it's because my technique is so perfect and I'm so talented .
 
When I first learned stick, I lived in dread of stopping on hills, but now, it is irrelevant how steep the grade is.
 
So, is there a hill holder feature? I don't know, but all I can say is that they're easy with the Cooper.
 
I'm not sure how these are supposed to work. I can roll backwards, if I want to, but I have no urgent, dramatic starts off of a steep grade.
 
Aside: I agree with others. The Cooper MUST have stick, regardless of where you live, ESPECIALLY on the base Cooper. It is part of what gives you your MINI love, and feeling of superiority (as in "confidence") over all the other boring cages. I mean this in the very practical sense, not in the immature sense. I live in a densely packed city with narrow streets, bad drivers, and numerous, daily challenges (similar to NYC traffic), and I never regret having stick. It's an asset, not a detriment in the city. If you don't live in the city, and you're just cruising along most of the time, it's rather a moot point in that you are in 5th/6th gear, or auto, and your left foot doesn't see too much action. Less fun!

Messages Page 3 of 4

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