[Mini CVT 4me]

Hello,
I (obviously!) chose the CVT first, which means had to get a Cooper rather than an S. I really love the CVT, it has engine brake feel, and the sports mode is almost like the old overdrive on manuals. Knocking the lever right is quicker than the kickdown, and works great.
After back surgery, clutching is a bother ( left leg gets numb). The Cooper with CVT and Sports package has incredible handling, was playing with an S today, and can stay close as long as don't slow down.
Truth is that, in USA, CVT and GPS is functionally quicker from A to B than Boy racer "S" type without NAV.
Try it before you knock it!
cheers

[Sejanus]

Quote:

Originally posted by zgokart

____________________-
Sejanus, looks like you and Minirossa missed the great Nov. 2 MiniMotors Open House at Santa Rosa and tour of Marin and Sonoma county. Great ride land scenery, and nice BBQ.

That's too bad, I hadn't heard about it. Probably couldn't have made it anyway though. I'm swamped with grading midterms for the last week or so. The high point of my week is the drive up to Placerville to teach, at least I get the MINI out on some open road with a hill that makes playing around with the steptronic worthwhile.

[LordWinslow]

Quote:

Originally posted by Mini CVT 4me

After back surgery, clutching is a bother ( left leg gets numb). The Cooper with CVT and Sports package has incredible handling, was playing with an S today, and can stay close as long as don't slow down.

I hear you, after an accident, I lost the use of my left foot. It is very difficult for me to operate a clutch. So the best option for me it is the CVT, besides I had such a fun time in the Demo, I can't wait till I pick up mine on the 13th.

[cooper4us]

Quote:

Originally posted by LordWinslow


I hear you, after an accident, I lost the use of my left foot. It is very difficult for me to operate a clutch. So the best option for me it is the CVT, besides I had such a fun time in the Demo, I can't wait till I pick up mine on the 13th.

Excellent choice. The Cooper CVT is the best kept secret in the MINI lineup.

[Electrc109]

Quote:

Originally posted by cooper4us


Excellent choice. The Cooper CVT is the best kept secret in the MINI lineup.

you bet. this tranny is definately no slushbox!

[wingedsheep]

I don't think I'll ever get an automatic again... I LOVE my 6 speed.

[cooper4us]

Quote:

Originally posted by wingedsheep
I don't think I'll ever get an automatic again... I LOVE my 6 speed.

Have you ever driven the Cooper CVT??

Is not your everyday automatic 4-speed slushbox. BTW, the CVT offers a "6-speed" Steptronic clutchless mode.

I drove 10+ years 5-speed stick shift cars. To me manual gearboxes and clutch pedals are the remains of a bygone automotive era....an archaic driving experience (Otherwise eally fun in twisties or roads free and clear of traffic I must add).

Today's refinement, efficiency and technology offered by most Automatics, CVT's and the quickly developing SMG type transmissions are reason enough for me to never look back and yearn for manual tranny automobiles.


I drove for a long time in bumper to bumper traffic, clutching-shifting-clutching-shifting-clutching-shifting-clutching-shifting and on and on and on!


Don't miss it one bit!

[Electrc109]

Quote:

Originally posted by cooper4us


Today's refinement, efficiency and technology offered by most Automatics, CVT's and the quickly developing SMG type transmissions are reason enough for me to never look back and yearn for manual tranny automobiles.

I definately feel that technology has finally gained superiority to the traditional fun of a manual tranny...

[joshr]

bottom line, gotta have a manual tranny in my fun car. our family car is an auto, and its fine for that.

that being said, cvt would be better than a regular old auto tranny.

of course, i'd probably pick SMG over all choices if it were available.

[cooper4us]

Quote:

Originally posted by joshr
bottom line, gotta have a manual tranny in my fun car. our family car is an auto, and its fine for that.

that being said, cvt would be better than a regular old auto tranny.

of course, i'd probably pick SMG over all choices if it were available.

I would love to see a SMG tranny offered in a future MCS variant...it is much faster and precise than manual shifting for sure!.

[RedBackFur]

I am quite happy in my CVT. I have driven both stick and auto vehicles. However, spending time in San Francisco Bay Area Traffic all the time, my Clutch foot (knee acutally) and my left hand when I rode my Motorcycle in my older crazier butch biker days would get rather sore from all the constant gear changes.

I would have purchased and "S" instead if it offered in a CVT version. But with all my driving. (Only have had this car since July 11th, and now have 9600 miles on it), I had to have the CVT!

[erazo]

If I could have two MINIs my second would have the CVT. I prefer the six-speed, but for a second car, the CVT would be nice, and in fact I'm considering it, for my wife to drive.

[LordWinslow]

Quote:

Originally posted by RedBackFur
I am quite happy in my CVT. I have driven both stick and auto vehicles. However, spending time in San Francisco Bay Area Traffic all the time, my Clutch foot (knee acutally) and my left hand when I rode my Motorcycle in my older crazier butch biker days would get rather sore from all the constant gear changes.

I drive to and from the Boston Metro Area every day, I am also glad to have the CVT. I used to drive a Truck with a 5 Speed, and it was a nightmare when there was a traffic snarl.

[tip]

Americans tend to gravitate to automatic transmissions. I would like to see the poll modified. See where the percentage of CVT transmissions are going, America, Canada, Europe. It would be neat to see what type of transmission a Country likes.


Charles

[Sejanus]

Quote:

Originally posted by tip
Americans tend to gravitate to automatic transmissions. I would like to see the poll modified. See where the percentage of CVT transmissions are going, America, Canada, Europe. It would be neat to see what type of transmission a Country likes.

Good idea, although my guess is your list there answers your question in pretty much the right order.

[aus-tim powers]

CVT's not my cuppa tea (5 speed me).
A good surprisingly equal poll so far matey

[Redpanda]

CVT for me.. *Dunno how to drive manual*

=^^=

[tip]

CVT - Not for me.

I have never come across a good automatic tranny in a small car yet. Only manual for me. I would wait to see if the CVT is reliable, see what problems crop up. I would like to try one.

Charles

[cooper4us]

Quote:

Originally posted by tip
CVT - Not for me.

I have never come across a good automatic tranny in a small car yet. Only manual for me. I would wait to see if the CVT is reliable, see what problems crop up. I would like to try one.

Charles

If you have never driven the Cooper CVT, how can you comment on it?

The CVT is not your everyday 4-speed automatic transmission with torque converter. This is a whole entirely different thing. Before I spare a full explanation between the difference of a normal hydraulic operated automatic transmission (The one that most people know and are accustomed to) and a gearless CVT with completely different technology, go to your nearest MINI dealer in Toronto and take a CVT for a spin...you'll be pleasantly surprised....again this is not your small car crappy 3 or 4 speed overdrive automatic. Try it and then come back and post your impressions.


My Cooper CVT has 3000 miles and the tranny has been fantastic with rock solid durability and ultra smooth operation. The CVT is the best kept secret in the MINI lineup.

[tip]

cooper4us,
I understnad fully how a CVT works. I had a Scooter in the 80's with one and it was a disaster after 25,000km. Snowmobiles have had them for years, very efficeint. I do not like how the engine revs up on most CVT vehicles and the vehicle catches up to it. I do have issues when it come to reliability. The metal belt running between the two pulleys, as well as the wear on the mechanical part of the pulleys making the pulley open and close. Time will tell how reliable it is. Cars like Audi are going to this type of tranny. Subaru took a shot at it years ago. Yes, it is the way of the future.

I will still buy manual unless they throw in the auto tranny for free, then I may buy it. Manual is cheaper and a little more fun. If the battery dies I can bump start the car, where a CVT will not be able to do this.


I see the potential

Charles.