Mini Cooper S w/Auto ?

The wife is looking at these still. Has anyone had a Mini with an auto Tranny ?

Opinions ?

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My wife has an 07 Mini Cooper S with an Auto Transmission and we both love the car. We test drove both and decided that here in the DC area, auto tran would be much better to deal with. My wife doesn't drive the car all that aggressively, so it works well for her. I have a BMW 335 convertible and love to take her car out for spirited drives on the twisty roads here in Northern Virginia...no fun lost...drive around in Driver Sport mode and go nuts.

Originally Posted by hardcoremarty

My wife has an 07 Mini Cooper S with an Auto Transmission and we both love the car. We test drove both and decided that here in the DC area, auto tran would be much better to deal with. My wife doesn't drive the car all that aggressively, so it works well for her. I have a BMW 335 convertible and love to take her car out for spirited drives on the twisty roads here in Northern Virginia...no fun lost...drive around in Driver Sport mode and go nuts.

Thanks Marty

With the iPod, Starbucks & bluetooth cellphone stuff...we figure Auto may be nice for this one. We have a 6sp in the M3...but there is a time & place for convenience too.

The auto trans in the S received really good reviews. I wouldn't let that be the deal-breaker.

Auto trans in a Mini? Kinda takes away from the whole driving experience if you ask me.

Originally Posted by spycar

Auto trans in a Mini? Kinda takes away from the whole driving experience if you ask me.

This is not the car we are buying for all our performance dreams to come true.

We have an M3 manual 6 sp, have had 330cic man and others.

We actually want a mini for small & versatile, not really for manual shifing or 0-60 times.

I have a 07 Mini S auto. Very quick and fun-watch for that torque steer-whoa!

Originally Posted by denhugh

I have a 07 Mini S auto. Very quick and fun-watch for that torque steer-whoa!

Good to know, just dont want to feel underpowered up steep hills and such.

Thanks !

Oh, you won't feel underpowered at any time. I went from an E46 coupe to this car and while I regret it some, the MINI is great fun. Be careful on the option list or you can feel that you spent a bit much as it is basically a $21k car that you can add a whole bunch of stuff to and get a $21k car with "a whole bunch of stuff" that doesn't change the overall ambiance of the car. I got the auto+prem+sport+cold weather+convien+hifi... and MRSP~$28K. The car's controls and feel take a bit to get use to with all the power to the front wheels and being used to rear wheel drive.

The 2007 Mini cooper with Auto trans is faster than the Manual, I sell Minis over in Braman Mini of miami and we have tested both cars on the track. the auto trans on the 06 sucks but this year, I have to give it to them they did an amazing job.

Originally Posted by M3Mike

The wife is looking at these still. Has anyone had a Mini with an auto Tranny ?

Opinions ?

Oh I don't know Mike, small displacement engine with an auto can be a bad combo - although the new automatics are much better than those of yore, the Mini is the type of car that begs for a manual.

It's a good manual, too, I've driven it.

Ed