MCSa vs. MCa

[MrT-Man]

Hi -- I'm contemplating an automatic Mini (as this the auto section, I hope no one'll give me too hard a time about that!) and am trying to decide between the CVT and S.

Forgetting the extra power that the S has, is the S auto just way better overall than the CVT -- in terms of how well the car shifts for you in fully auto mode, and also in terms of how much control you have when you're in paddle mode? That's sort of the impression that I got from reading other posts here...?

I'm not sure that I need the S's power, but I do want to have a really good auto transmission...

Thanks!

[ceddyluv82]

Hey Mr T,

I can't complain at all about my mini yet( its an auto as well) I drive it very hard and also very gentle... it just goes with the flow nicely. in full auto mode it stays off of the high end rpms unless you stomp on the gas of course. In manual mode it just brings out the power of the mini for you. Ive driven both manual and automatic minis , and man that auto mini is VERY fun. In paddle shift mode it feels nothing like an auto box. It will throw you forward and back just like a manual can. Don't feel bad to want an auto! It only rubs it in more when you beat out the manual car

[AprilWhine]

I went from an MC-CVT to an MCSCa. If something happened to my car and I had to choose a replacement, I would go for the MCSa again. It's just smoother overall.

And the automatics are by far the better machines. A manual owners rode with me recently and is now trying to get his wife an MCSa. Of course, that would mean he has two.

[Jo-Man]

same here, i move from a CVT to a S auto.....
i don't found there's a big different between them.....
if as u said, hp is not a object in this case, then i'd say i like the CVT more becos of there's no ratio when come to the gear changing

[nike61]

TMan
Go for MCSa I originally ordered a manual but got luck opportunity to sway to auto. Had only a month and I drive all time in SD Manual mode, its just great. Really glad to have gone with Auto as all others have stated. The paddle shift is excellent. I note some minor issues with ECU in USA but I believe these are now fixed with new orders or via software update, Aussie has no such issues. Go for it

[rainbowdreamer]

I have driven both. The MCSa is a hoot to drive.

[JHMCSA]

Hello all,
Yesterday, I ordered my MCSA, Full Full (except navigation, I like my MCSA to finds it's way), 2006 model color Astro/white roof, beige leather, changed the SR85 17" for VR92 16" 7 fin spoke, I believe better, more control & faster ride & more tyre choices! Wanted the R88 in accessories but impossible to exchange or at a hefty price since they are accessories and not from the factory. I hate to pay too much when I realised Mini's profits is in the wheels!
Now the auto on the S is exceptional with paddles, smoother & better & stronger then the CVT on the MC which hangs a little on accel decel and shifts.
I tried both MCA and MCSA and really the auto is built and meant for the MCS not the MC !!!
Loved the Harmon Kardon, could improve on the midrange!
I opted for the wooden look dash, I know most of you hate it but with the inside chrome surrounds it looks good old European! I used to have a Mini 33 years ago and today my Mercedes is going in exchange of a MCSA, I want to have fun driving again!!!
That says it all for my age... but being an engineer and having compared many cars before deciding, the MCSA came out as a clear winner bye bye Merc!
Could someone add the Friesian flag as my icon!

[ceddyluv82]

Quote:

changed the SR85 17" for VR92 16" 7 fin spoke, I believe better, more control & faster ride & more tyre choices!

- JHMCSA

Hey man welcome to the club!

I just wanted to ask you about what you said there... 17 inch rims are going to give a firmer ride and will give you more control because of less tire play on the road. The 16's have a higher sidewall so in a hard turn youll notice more roll. At least thats what I have heard from many people! Anyways nice mini your getting regardless! When is the baby due?

[JHMCSA]

Good morning,

It's a matter of opinion, a little more (16") tyre will give you that little more control/'notification' before you roll/'over', 17" won't give you that notification before and make it a 'surprise' slide/roll/over! I like the advance notification from the 16" and be able to control a possible roll without DSC kicking in (when 'on' and taking over 'my' control).

My new MCSA one is due mid October. Again I can't say how much that auto is superb in all aspects...faster shift then manual etc, Funny how Europeans like still to manual shift (even in heavy traffic) and how Americans (all auto) think Mini's should be manual/traditional shift too. So Americans should experience shifting in Euro traffic and Europeans should enjoy the auto in USA traffic. Soon all will realise the future of only auto, especially the one's that can't properly shift!

I wanted a full Park Lane S but couldn't get the wooden dash (royal grey+middle in carbon) nor the white roof (royal grey or car color), surprising since 'THE' Park Lane used to be 'THE' Luxury Mini which meant for sure a wooden dash option!

So after evaluating what the Park Lane offered more.. were the decals on side and also rear windows and door sills (didn't like the one's on the side rear windows), including the Royal Grey color. Let it be known that MC and MCS traditional mark is the classic white (or black and last in it's car color ) roofs but not Royal Grey METALLIC as a roof color!

Also about the Park Lane new seats (on the S you get the existing sport seats), these new classic seats used to have a problem...the many vertical seams would always loosen & tear thus sagg after a while and not give you the ongoing firm comfortable seating required whilst ending up with your knees against your chin!

So Mini if you bring out a Park Lane let it really be a luxurious Mini with a wooden/optional dash & white/black roof, but certainly not a Royal Grey roof! Typical color choice that 'Royal' grey for people without imagination that can't combine colors, all Mercs/Audi's/BMW's are grey, granite grey, opal grey, cubanite silver, iridium silver, pewter metallic, designo graphite, brilliant grey, flint grey, pearl grey, oyster grey, titanium silver, arctic metallic, sparkling graphite metallic... all guess what... with matching charcoal grey leather and grey dash surrounds inside!!!

It makes life 'grey' especially for the one's in a 'grey' suit!

Get a grip on colors MINI and stay traditional, after all the nicest English traditional cars are NON METALLIC and NEVER A ROYAL METALLIC GREY! Except for the REAL? British Racing Green (all different like on the old Aston Martin, the Jaguar British Racing green etc...) ...why not have a unique Mini British 'Royal' Racing Green!

That would have been my choice if NON METALLIC!

[pyratio]

--Haven't driven in the CVT, but I have driven the MCSA. I've heard that because the CVT doesn't actually shift any gears, the car does a slight motion to indicate changing gear ratios? Is that true? Well I do know that the CVT shifts very differently because it has no gears. It just changes rations on the belt (chain?) drive.

The MCSA is more of a beast for people who have different sides to their personality and enjoy going from Dr. Jeckyll to Mr. HIde. In normal driving the MCSA is very smooth and civilized. If you switch it into sport or manual mode the machine turns into a redline revving monster and as others have mentioned it does throw you back on forth in the seat if you're flooring it and shifting. I've been riding motorcycles for the past 13 years and I can honestly say that all 3 modes are MORE fun than riding my Ninja. The MCSA is a great car.

The CVT is no slouch either. From what I understand on the racetrack there is one gentleman here in Hawaii that dominates most of the races for the front wheel drive class in a CVT.

I think what it comes down to is which car you are more comfortable with. If you don't want to spend that much cash and don't have a strong interest in modifying your car for maximum power then the CVT should be fine for you. That is not to say you couldn't race your CVT on the tracks. It's a Mini afterall.

But you should definitely take both cars out for a test drive. Some people don't need the extra power of the S and opt for the basic Cooper. To each their own.

--pyratio

Quote: Originally Posted by MrT-Man

Hi -- I'm contemplating an automatic Mini (as this the auto section, I hope no one'll give me too hard a time about that!) and am trying to decide between the CVT and S.

Forgetting the extra power that the S has, is the S auto just way better overall than the CVT -- in terms of how well the car shifts for you in fully auto mode, and also in terms of how much control you have when you're in paddle mode? That's sort of the impression that I got from reading other posts here...?

I'm not sure that I need the S's power, but I do want to have a really good auto transmission...

Thanks!