MINI Cooper: Manual or Automatic? - READ ONLY

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

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#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.
#11 of 35 Is Mini S a good car for a new manual tran driver? by thelibrarian Nov 09, 2006 (1:46 pm)
Hi. I am seriously considering a new Mini S (would be 2007, maybe 2008, if I wait long enough). I JUST learned to drive a stick on a friend's car (so that I could drive one overseas on vacation). I stalled a lot on vacation but by the end, I felt I was getting the hang of it and I loved the feeling of power. My question is: Do you think a MCS would be a good car for my first stick? After reading some other posts, I am worried about driving it in the snow. We get a few large snowfalls in winter (Cincinnati). Thanks for any advice. Replies to this message: cct1 (Nov 10, 2006 11:12 am) thelibrarian (Nov 13, 2006 8:16 am) cct1 (Nov 14, 2006 11:47 am)
#12 of 35 Re: Is Mini S a good car for a new manual tran driver? [thelibrarian] by cct1 Nov 10, 2006 (11:12 am)
Replying to: thelibrarian (Nov 09, 2006 1:46 pm) First of all, I'd strongly recommend getting a 2008. The 2007 is new from the ground up--engine included--and Mini/BMW hasn't been stellar on brand new releases with regard to reliability. The 2005-2006 Mini's are substantially better from an overall quality standpoint than their 2002 predecessors--from such mundane things as the quality of the dash to more substantial things such as gear ratios. Let them work the bugs out of the car and engine the first year, then get a 2008... As for shifting, the MCS isn't the easiest car to shift, but it's not the most difficult to shift either (The plain Cooper on the other hand is easier to shift smoother than the MCS, but it's the nature of the beast). That being said, you'll be able to get the hang of shifting the MCS relatively quickly and easily. Take a 2006 for a spin; if you can shift it, you'll be fine--the new gertrag on the 2007 from every account I read is a better gearbox than on the previous generation MCS. As for driving in the snow, with traction control, you should be fine--I drive mine in the snow, you do have to adjust a little--the traction control makes takeoffs slow, but does a good job of preventing slides. Tires are very important here as well--at the very least, get all seasons if you're driving in snow. Front wheel drive cars do just fine with the occasional snowfall; you can also add LSD if you're really concerned, although it's really not necessary for snow alone--comes in handy for spirited driving though. Replies to this message: thelibrarian (Nov 13, 2006 8:16 am) cct1 (Nov 14, 2006 11:47 am)
#13 of 35 Re: Is Mini S a good car for a new manual tran driver? [cct1] by thelibrarian Nov 13, 2006 (8:16 am)
Replying to: cct1 (Nov 10, 2006 11:12 am) Thank you so much for the reply. I appreciate your comments! I think I could get used to the shifting. I actually learned to drive a stick on a 20-year-old Porsche, which I didn't think was that easy to drive anyway. My rental was a new Peugot, which was easier to drive all around (shift, clutch, and brakes). I don't want to be sliding around in the snow (or slush), so it's good to know that you think there won't be too much trouble. It's the one thing I really worry about with a car like a Mini, since I have zero experience driving a stick in the snow. Thanks for the advice. Replies to this message: cct1 (Nov 14, 2006 11:47 am)
#14 of 35 Re: Is Mini S a good car for a new manual tran driver? [thelibrarian] by cct1 Nov 14, 2006 (11:47 am)
Replying to: thelibrarian (Nov 13, 2006 8:16 am) Good luck with your decision--let us know what you decide! On other thing about driving in the snow: once you're comfortable shifting, it's actually easier to drive a manual in the snow than an automatic--you've got more flexibilty in gear choice/shift points.
#15 of 35 Why the shift to Peugot engines? by shel6290 Jan 29, 2007 (5:17 pm)
Anyone know the 'real' reason BMW/Mini shifted their engines to Peugot? Had not heard about any reliability problems with the 05/06 "S" types only issues with the 02/03...? Replies to this message: cct1 (Jan 29, 2007 6:17 pm) Mr_Shiftright (Mar 22, 2007 9:59 pm) minime5 (Mar 23, 2007 6:53 am) cct1 (Mar 23, 2007 1:26 pm) and 2 more...