Can anyone who has bought the new R56 auto tell me if they had a test drive first? I asked at my local garage and he just looked at me like i was a bit daft and said he doesnt have an auto and he's never heard of anyone wanting to buy one?!?

Im new by the way :D

Looks like he's just giving you a load of bull****. If your ever going to have an auto mini the new model is the reason to have one. The new auto gearbox is meant to be fab, soooooo much better than the outgoing crap that was on the cooper. The new cooper and cooper S have a very good autobox indeed. My local dealer let me test drive the cooper as the cooper s auto won't be on the roads until the end of march. Sounds like your sales man had a bit of an attitude problem or something. My 2 local dealers have had A LOT of enquiries about the new AUTO S, apparently any way. I'd go for it, you won't be disspaointed, plus the difference in performance is minimal if at all noticeable in the AUTO S.

Yeah thats what I thought, I didnt really want to buy one without driving it but i think you might have convinced me:D , he did take me out for a test drive in the manual, a bit pointless I know but at least I got to see how it drives.....sort of.

All UK dealers have access to a fleet of demonstrators run by MINI UK.

They could quite easily book a Cooper auto for you to test drive, if you are happy to wait up to a few weeks to get your hands on one.

If your dealer refuses to make use of this facility go to one that is!

That's great thanks for the info, I'll go back to the garage and see what they say , I obviously went to the most useless garage in the north of England !!

I obviously went to the most useless garage in the north of England !!
There's plenty of competition! :rolleyes:

well it does seem that way! I think he just couldnt be bothered, tried to offer me a go in an old one CVT:(

It's all down to a conflict in priorities.

MINI want their customers to receive the highest level of service from their dealers, being offered all the facts and the opportunity to experience the specific model that most suits their needs before placing an order.

Dealers want you to put a deposit down as quickly as possible so that you don't go anywhere else. Why else would the standard answer to any question asked be, "If I can will you buy the car today?"

I didnt think I was asking much wanting a test drive, but ive already asked at 2 garages and they both fobbed me off:( . They can't want to sell that much! Anyway thanks for all the info I really appreciate it.

If you've pretty much decided that you want a new Cooper auto then why not send an e-mail to the closest three or four dealers (you can get the addresses here (http://www.minicherished.co.uk/miniuk/dealer_locator/locate_dealer/) off the MINI website) telling them that the first one to call you back to book an R56 auto test drive (not an old CVT) will get your business, making sure they all know you're sending it to other dealers?

If you haven't 100% decided then just tell them, after the test drive of course, that it is not the car for you!

I can't be 100% until ive driven it, the last car I bought was rubbish and I don't want to make a mistake again, so I guess I'll just have to ask them nicely if they can get me one.Thanks for the advice.:)

I tried the new Auto and loved it so much that I have now order a copper in Night Fire Red with Sat Nav (and few bits).
Can't wait, the test drive (of the new MINI Auto)was great, I had tried so many other cars and this is the only one that put a smile on my face.

I tried the new Auto and loved it so much that I have now order a copper in Night Fire Red with Sat Nav (and few bits).
Can't wait, the test drive (of the new MINI Auto)was great, I had tried so many other cars and this is the only one that put a smile on my face.

You can't do that without more details! How did she take-off from 1st? Was it a smooth shift into 2nd. Did you try or use the paddle shifters?

Yes I tried the lot, and pulled away pritty quick and you could not feel the gear change. And from what I'm told this is a proper auto (not like the last one).

The paddles worked ok, but I don;t think I'll use them as it was very responsive. This was only the copper and not the S.

While I was driving it, I don't know that it one of the first to come off the line, only when I sat down to talk figures did they tell me this.

As I said I tried loads cars, and it is so much fun and very very responsive that Now have one order, but because I want the Night Fire Red I'm not going to get ut until late April.

Good to hear as I ordered the base coop as well. When you say the paddles were very responsive, do you mean it could be a whole lot of fun?

It was very responcive without the paddles, it changed quick and smoothhhhhhhh. So that is why I don;t think I'll be using them much day-to-day.

You've just rekindled my excitement all over again. Thanks.

I just want to say thanks to everyone for the advice about test driving an auto, I went for a test drive in one today, and signed for one as soon as I got back to the garage !!:D thing is im torn between pepper white with black roof and stripes or red with black roof and stripes.....

What floats your boat Claz.;) ...I got mine (Auto MCS) PW with black roof and mirror caps.

I was thinking PW with black stripes and roof, but I went for a TD in a red and like that as well:) , ive only got 3 days to make up my mind !!

hello, i m new here!
i tested drive 10 days ago the new Auto MC 2nd gen because i m getting crazy changing gears all the time in the traffic jam in Paris! So, i m not driving a lot on highways
When I sat and saw the gear paddle on the sterring wheel, i found it so coooll and nice!!!
btw, about the test drivei was unable to feel the gearbox changing gear, no sound, nothing!
with the MINI dealer, i drove on highway to test the motor/auto box and the auto box is so responsive, it's crazy, moreover for such a small car. I tested also the kick-down, i was stuck in the back of the seat!!!!!!!! (my future first mini....i ve been minied!). the paddle are nice to use, and the speed which you are in is repeated on the RPM (like M6 for example). interesting point, you dont need to switch from auto to manual with the center box when using the sterring wheel paddles. u just push/pull them and u re innnnnnnnnnnnnn!
it was so nice/exciting that i will very soon buy a MC auto. why i didnt bought it yet? ;) just because i m not so sure about the interior color! :D

Red with black and stripes...its unusual colour combo on the MINI...not sure why because on the R53 it looks awesome! However most folks got red with white insdtead :(