Opinions wanted from S owners with automatic trans

[RonB2]

The Forum for CVT and auto Minis seems dead, so I figured I'd post my desire to hear from automatic S owners here. I'll be buyig my car in the next 3 moths. I've driven manual transmissions only since I was 16 (now 40) until a year ago. My left knee locks up occasionally and even after surgery, it still locks sometimes without warning. That ended my manual days about a year ago. My next car was my first automatic. It's a nice Mercedes S class but man I feel like I'm driving a boat on the road. It's easily the biggest thing I've EVER driven or owned. Previously I've owned MGBs, an RX-7, and a 944. The Mercedes was a big change and I regret it. The car has no soul or connection to the road, feel wise. That's something every other car I owned had.

SO, my question is, how does the S with an automatic feel to you owners who have one? Is there the usual lack of feeling with the tranny? How quick does the trans change with the paddles? I've driven manual and tiptronic Boxsters on track days and I was always faster with the tiptronic because it allowed always perfect gear changes and more importantly, allowed me to focus on breaking points and apexes more. I don't kid myself about being a better driver than I am, but I want a fun car again!

I've narrowed my choices to a GTI, RX-8 or Cooper S automatic. I like the RX because of the rear wheel drive, but the way they designed (hid) the dipstick and make you remove a plastic cover from the engine top to access the oil fill tube is plain stupid. It's a rotary, you NEED to add oil, so why make me work for it? The GTI has always been the poor man's Porsche. The car handles well and the tubo engine is easy to upgrade with a chip. The car's not much in the looks dept though. The Mini just looks so nice. It's the only new car I can afford that is so unique. It's beautiful. Sort of sounds like my heart has made up its mind, doesn't it?! Plus, a pulley kit will give me the added boost I think the car needs.

Please feel free to e-mail me about your S automatic ownership experience at REBrooks@iwon.com


Thanks,

Ron B.

[bjerk]

Yeah, seems pretty quiet here, I've noticed. Perhaps since there has not been any major issues with the MCSa worth mentioning. Well except that it does what its supposed to do.

I have had absolutely zero problems with the auto tranny for the MCS, and I have had it since April of last year. The MCSa would be a great addition to your list of cars you have owned, but like with any comparison of an auto tranny with a manual one, there is going to be a slight disconnect.... but it is not as drastic as other cars might be.

I feel the MCSa is more about how it handles rather than speed, but with the paddles shifting almost instantaneously, it certainly makes up for it.

It does seem your heart is made up so I doubt there will be much convincing needed, but check out this forum for more info. And be sure to take many test drives to be sure. Hope it puts a smile on your face.

Also check out these blogs of other MCSa owners:
gbmini.net
mdsbrain.com/
dcmini.blogspot.com/

[AprilWhine]

I'll echo that. Have had my MCSCa since April, no problems and lots of fun.

[fishbulb]

We have had my wife's 05 MCSa since september, and my 06 MCS is about 3 weeks old.
Comparing the two, they are similar. The manual is just a little bit sharper, more connected. But the Auto doesn't give much up to in the fun to drive factor. While i have not driven a lot of the other "performance" automatics out there, i find the MCSa to be the best automatic car that I have ever driven. The car shifts pretty much where you would want it to, and you can always take over in the manual mode. It doesn't rip shifts off super fast, but it is plenty quick and it works well. While I do prefer my manual, it's really no big deal for me to hop in her car & drive.

I thought about the RX-8, but i just don't LOVE it like i loved the FD (3rd Gen). And after the issues I had with my wife's cabrio, I would never purchase another VW.

Good luck!!!!

-jac

[Ferroequine]

I've only had mine for 2 months / 2500 kms thus far, but I think it is a great automatic. It is an awesome second choice compared to buying a manual. I had to make a compromise choice myself when ordering my MINI, but I am happy with the way it turned out.

I don't find it all that disconnected from a manual (drove one for 16 years). When its in SportsDrive, it holds each gear within a speed/power range nicely. In manual it holds the gears extremely well.

I spend most of my time in Manual mode using the "stick", except when stuck in rush hour traffic . One thing that I've had to adjust to though, and I'm sure its just a matter of time, is that my hand sometimes has a tendency to pull the lever towards me when I want to grab a passing gear on the highway, as if I was moving from 5th to 4th. With the sequential stick, of course, that puts me in 6th. This probably would not happen to me with using the paddles.

The paddles are extremely nice if you don't want to take your hands off the wheel during spirited motoring. And I've found that the shifts are quite crisp when you put your foot down a bit on the gas.

[Wesmonster]

i'm a big fan of the Auto tranny in the S, this is one smart box. She'll automatically downshift going down steep hills, in 'normal' mode I've never been caught in the wrong gear, and shifts are smooth and quick.

I also looked at an automatic RX-8, but I can't figure out why Mazda chose to drop a 4-speed automatic into a high revving low torque car like that, especially when the Mx-5 miatas are coming with 6 speed automatics. I was not impressed, the manual is the obvious choice for that type of car, but the interior was cramped and it was the only car that made the trunk space and fuel economy of my S convertible look good by comparison! Still a fine RWD sports car though...

[beekman]

The mini gives a really great sense of connection to the road, even with the tiptronic transmission - the best of its type I've driven. In the interests of full disclosure though, some slight niggles are:

-if you're pushing on the changes in manual mode are very quick, but when dawdling or when the transmissions cold the changes can feel a bit slow and mushy
-even in manual mode, if you floor it beyond the detent it changes down
-changes up before reaching the redline, even in M
-gas mileage is not great
-the agressive gearing that makes it such fun in M, make it not so good in D (IMO)

Overall though, it's a blast to drive and has all that great mini character intact. I would give the MkV GTI a look though - with that DSG gearbox, you're getting a transmission that performs better than a manual, and is totally obedient in M and very smooth in D (from what I've read, at least). Hard to imagine it offers the raw immediacy or x-factor of the mini though!

Good luck!

[RonB2]

BEEKMAN:

What is the GTI model you are referring to? I went to the VW USA site and there's no mention of the DSG in the GTI.

Ron B.

[St00ge]

DSG gearbox in GTI is phenomenal. Absolutely love it. But nothing is like the S to drive, but i can't comment on the auto, as i have a manual

[RonB2]

I found the DSG on the GTI. Here in the US it's on the 2006 model available next month. It's a heavy car though. Even with 200hp, the power to weight ratio is not very good. Looks like it's really between the MCSa and RX-8.

[beekman]

The GTI is somewhat heavy, but there is the torque figure to consider - it has 207 lbft as opposed to only 158 lb ft for the mazda. High horsepower and low torque can be great fun in a manual, but I wonder how it would play out in an auto. On the GTI you get peak torque from about 1800 rpm on, so your preference probably depends on your driving style.

[nike61]

I agreee with all the other posts. I aslo considered the Golf GTI and the Peuguot 206 GTI. The finish and handling on the MCSa was just far supreme over the others. All the others in the class had poor interiors. The RX8 did have great interior and looks, but as I am 6ft 2in I found the inside a bit limiting.
My only gripe on the MCSa is that I tested a non sunroof model and the head room was great, however, dure to a order mix up I got a sunroof at no extra cost, however, it does reduce the hear room, thus, I have to have the seat at its lowest position.
In this position it slightly tilts to the back and its a little uncomfortable.
The handling won it for me and the power inn M is great. The only addition I would consider is to get an upmarket exhaust, like the JCW but get aftermarket, this adds a little grunt and irons out any yo-yo or lag.

Its better than manual as you can then drive in traffic or on country in comfort. Go for it.

[TexasChiliS]

I have had my MCSa since September. I am very pleased. The manual may be a little quicker, but I would not trade. Easy to drive in traffic in Auto mode, and a lot of fun when you want to "shift" I find both the paddles and stick responsive.

[St00ge]

Quote: Originally Posted by nike61

The finish and handling on the MCSa was just far supreme over the others. All the others in the class had poor interiors. The RX8 did have great interior and looks, but as I am 6ft 2in I found the inside a bit limiting.

can't agree with you there....the GTIs build quality and interior is better than that of the MCS. The MCSs looks better, but the GTIs will last longer and is made out of more expensive materials...

[horizonblue]

Hi, I'm new to this site, so apologies if not done correctly. I have an Mini one automatic 2nd hand approx 1.5 years old. It lurches, bounces and hiccups at very low speeds, i.e. coming off the drive, or in stop/start traffic, and when I brake slightly to take a corner, it almost dies. When you put your foot down to accelerate out of a turn, it lurches forward. Has anyone else heard of anything similar?