Comments on: More Info on the MCS Automatic http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/12/02/more_info_on_the_mcs_automatic/ MINI Cooper news, reviews and opinion. Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:31:09 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: archiegoodwin http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/12/02/more_info_on_the_mcs_automatic/comment-page-1/#comment-14042 archiegoodwin Wed, 08 Dec 2004 07:11:35 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/12/02/#comment-14042 <p>I love this website. After wanting a Mini for 2 years I finally ordered my MCS with autotrans. I am old enough to have owned lots of sporty cars (including a modified Austin Mini Cooper S) and was never any good at shifting! I'm just a klutz with a clutch.</p> I love this website. After wanting a Mini for 2 years I finally ordered my MCS with autotrans. I am old enough to have owned lots of sporty cars (including a modified Austin Mini Cooper S) and was never any good at shifting! I'm just a klutz with a clutch.

]]> By: Gabe http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/12/02/more_info_on_the_mcs_automatic/comment-page-1/#comment-14041 Gabe Sun, 05 Dec 2004 17:51:48 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/12/02/#comment-14041 <p>Both of those transmissions are essentially manuals with a computer controlled clutch. The SMG is not a smooth transmission... it's not meant for comfort. It's meant for sporty driving. When you go from 3rd to 2nd it'll blip the throttle for you for instance. </p> <p>The DSG can theoretically feel more like a true automatic in "D" mode but it's still, at it's heart, a manual transmission with a computer controlled clutch.</p> Both of those transmissions are essentially manuals with a computer controlled clutch. The SMG is not a smooth transmission… it's not meant for comfort. It's meant for sporty driving. When you go from 3rd to 2nd it'll blip the throttle for you for instance.

The DSG can theoretically feel more like a true automatic in “D” mode but it's still, at it's heart, a manual transmission with a computer controlled clutch.

]]> By: Akeeah http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/12/02/more_info_on_the_mcs_automatic/comment-page-1/#comment-14040 Akeeah Sun, 05 Dec 2004 17:07:43 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/12/02/#comment-14040 <p>"However this is strictly a typical automatic and has nothing in common to the more sporty BMW SMG or VW DSG type of transmissions." Could you elaborate on this a litte more. Thanks.</p> “However this is strictly a typical automatic and has nothing in common to the more sporty BMW SMG or VW DSG type of transmissions.” Could you elaborate on this a litte more. Thanks.

]]> By: Phil http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/12/02/more_info_on_the_mcs_automatic/comment-page-1/#comment-14039 Phil Sun, 05 Dec 2004 01:23:00 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/12/02/#comment-14039 <p>How much skill does it take to do ONE gear change? </p> <p>That's all you need to hit 60 mph in a "S". It might or might not work better if you used 3rd gear.</p> <p>The launch is the determining factor on 0-60 runs.</p> How much skill does it take to do ONE gear change?

That's all you need to hit 60 mph in a “S”. It might or might not work better if you used 3rd gear.

The launch is the determining factor on 0-60 runs.

]]> By: Rodney http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/12/02/more_info_on_the_mcs_automatic/comment-page-1/#comment-14038 Rodney Fri, 03 Dec 2004 22:06:04 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/12/02/#comment-14038 <p>I guess I should clarify my train of thought. My thinking is that the auto is tailored more for touring and the manual more towards sport.</p> I guess I should clarify my train of thought. My thinking is that the auto is tailored more for touring and the manual more towards sport.

]]> By: Rodney http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/12/02/more_info_on_the_mcs_automatic/comment-page-1/#comment-14037 Rodney Fri, 03 Dec 2004 22:04:36 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/12/02/#comment-14037 <p>Bill I think this used to be true in all cases. But at the recent Auto show I saw several examples where the highway mileage was better with the Auto. I assume a taller 6th gear. An example would be the 9-3 Saab Aero. The Auto get's slightly better mileage than the manual (1 MPG).</p> Bill I think this used to be true in all cases. But at the recent Auto show I saw several examples where the highway mileage was better with the Auto. I assume a taller 6th gear. An example would be the 9-3 Saab Aero. The Auto get's slightly better mileage than the manual (1 MPG).

]]> By: edward n. http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/12/02/more_info_on_the_mcs_automatic/comment-page-1/#comment-14036 edward n. Fri, 03 Dec 2004 20:09:52 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/12/02/#comment-14036 <p>Don't forget, the MCS, as it is now, is not designed for economy. 6th gear is no overdrive in the manual tranny. it will interesting to see the gearing for the slush box.</p> <p>The MINI D is the fuel econo winner in the MINI family.</p> Don't forget, the MCS, as it is now, is not designed for economy. 6th gear is no overdrive in the manual tranny. it will interesting to see the gearing for the slush box.

The MINI D is the fuel econo winner in the MINI family.

]]> By: Nicholas P http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/12/02/more_info_on_the_mcs_automatic/comment-page-1/#comment-14035 Nicholas P Fri, 03 Dec 2004 20:02:33 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/12/02/#comment-14035 <p>it'll be better than a 5-speed auto, but u lose hp in converting from manual to auto, so autos always get worse mileage, all things else being equal...</p> it'll be better than a 5-speed auto, but u lose hp in converting from manual to auto, so autos always get worse mileage, all things else being equal…

]]> By: Bill http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/12/02/more_info_on_the_mcs_automatic/comment-page-1/#comment-14034 Bill Fri, 03 Dec 2004 18:15:50 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/12/02/#comment-14034 <p>I thought manual transmissions invariably gave better fuel consumption than an auto trans (fitted to exactly the same vehicle).</p> I thought manual transmissions invariably gave better fuel consumption than an auto trans (fitted to exactly the same vehicle).

]]> By: Rodney http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/12/02/more_info_on_the_mcs_automatic/comment-page-1/#comment-14033 Rodney Fri, 03 Dec 2004 17:55:07 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/12/02/#comment-14033 <p>With six speeds I wonder what the Highway gas mileage will be. I would think better than the 6 speed manual.</p> With six speeds I wonder what the Highway gas mileage will be. I would think better than the 6 speed manual.

]]> By: Theo http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/12/02/more_info_on_the_mcs_automatic/comment-page-1/#comment-14032 Theo Fri, 03 Dec 2004 17:48:44 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/12/02/#comment-14032 <p>In my opinion, the appeal of the MINI can be experienced on MULTIPLE LEVELS! It really doesn't matter if your Paddy Hopkirk or Trot Nixon as long as you ENJOY the experience!</p> <p>For those of us who thrive in discussing/experiencing 0-60 times, tenths and hundredths of seconds, cornering Gs, and all that other technical stuff, the MINI satisfies deeply.</p> <p>For those of us who just like to get in a car, start it and enjoy the experience of a unique, reasonably quick, well-handling sports car, the MINI also satisfies deeply.</p> <p>Thus, equip the car as you wish...you will enjoy it on the level that you can appreciate the best. That the MINI can be appreciated by such a wide range of drivers is ont of the more brilliant aspects of its design.</p> <p>My two pence,</p> <p>Theo</p> In my opinion, the appeal of the MINI can be experienced on MULTIPLE LEVELS! It really doesn't matter if your Paddy Hopkirk or Trot Nixon as long as you ENJOY the experience!

For those of us who thrive in discussing/experiencing 0-60 times, tenths and hundredths of seconds, cornering Gs, and all that other technical stuff, the MINI satisfies deeply.

For those of us who just like to get in a car, start it and enjoy the experience of a unique, reasonably quick, well-handling sports car, the MINI also satisfies deeply.

Thus, equip the car as you wish…you will enjoy it on the level that you can appreciate the best. That the MINI can be appreciated by such a wide range of drivers is ont of the more brilliant aspects of its design.

My two pence,

Theo

]]> By: Scott http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/12/02/more_info_on_the_mcs_automatic/comment-page-1/#comment-14031 Scott Fri, 03 Dec 2004 14:55:30 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/12/02/#comment-14031 <p>I waited for the 2005's because I know why the English drink warm beer. If you don't know, email me.</p> I waited for the 2005's because I know why the English drink warm beer. If you don't know, email me.

]]> By: 2nd Mini http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/12/02/more_info_on_the_mcs_automatic/comment-page-1/#comment-14030 2nd Mini Fri, 03 Dec 2004 13:02:41 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/12/02/#comment-14030 <p>Especially if they have Lucas Electrics...</p> Especially if they have Lucas Electrics…

]]> By: Lee J. http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/12/02/more_info_on_the_mcs_automatic/comment-page-1/#comment-14029 Lee J. Fri, 03 Dec 2004 11:48:20 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/12/02/#comment-14029 <p>I must disagree, Acetonic: Only wimps have cranking handles on their sports cars. We purists push start our cars, thereby saving weight. It demands a higher level of skill, too, because you learn never to stall your car at a stoplight... particularly on an uphill.</p> I must disagree, Acetonic: Only wimps have cranking handles on their sports cars. We purists push start our cars, thereby saving weight. It demands a higher level of skill, too, because you learn never to stall your car at a stoplight… particularly on an uphill.

]]> By: acetonic http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/12/02/more_info_on_the_mcs_automatic/comment-page-1/#comment-14028 acetonic Fri, 03 Dec 2004 06:54:34 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/12/02/#comment-14028 <p>I doubt that 1% of MCS owners can even get close to that 7.2 sec 0-60 time with the 6-speed. People just don't get those times without some real skill and training, which the people driving when they measure those times have in spades. I'm betting the auto owners will be leaving most of their manual shifting brethren in the dust. Anyway, a 'real' sport car has a crank starter. Those fancy electric starters take all the skill and enjoyment out of the experience! =P</p> I doubt that 1% of MCS owners can even get close to that 7.2 sec 0-60 time with the 6-speed. People just don't get those times without some real skill and training, which the people driving when they measure those times have in spades. I'm betting the auto owners will be leaving most of their manual shifting brethren in the dust. Anyway, a 'real' sport car has a crank starter. Those fancy electric starters take all the skill and enjoyment out of the experience! =P

]]> By: David Z. http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/12/02/more_info_on_the_mcs_automatic/comment-page-1/#comment-14027 David Z. Fri, 03 Dec 2004 05:06:53 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/12/02/#comment-14027 <p>Looks like I will be getting an aftermarket CAI and exhaust to try and make up those 7 tenths! Any suggestions on those two combinations(brand names)?</p> Looks like I will be getting an aftermarket CAI and exhaust to try and make up those 7 tenths! Any suggestions on those two combinations(brand names)?

]]> By: Gabe http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/12/02/more_info_on_the_mcs_automatic/comment-page-1/#comment-14026 Gabe Fri, 03 Dec 2004 04:57:22 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/12/02/#comment-14026 <p>Typically the benefit with manually controlled automatics don't rear their heads in 0-60 times. The real benefit lies in the mid-range power. Specifically passing situations where you can quickly select the proper gear and gain some needed power instead of just hitting the pedal and hoping.</p> Typically the benefit with manually controlled automatics don't rear their heads in 0-60 times. The real benefit lies in the mid-range power. Specifically passing situations where you can quickly select the proper gear and gain some needed power instead of just hitting the pedal and hoping.

]]> By: David Z. http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/12/02/more_info_on_the_mcs_automatic/comment-page-1/#comment-14025 David Z. Fri, 03 Dec 2004 04:54:11 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/12/02/#comment-14025 <p>I to am waiting for my 05 "S" to arrive (Feb???). I had a hard time deciding between the manual vs automatic. I grew up on manuals and truly love them. The roads in the Pacific Northwest are custom made for manual transmissions. But, where I live now, in the greater Chicagoland area, I have 38 stoplights between home and work...One way! Plus, the only curves that I get to take with any regularity are getting on or off the interstates that have cloverleafs. February can't get here soon enough. One question though... I wonder what the 0-60 times would be in Steptronic mode?</p> I to am waiting for my 05 “S” to arrive (Feb???). I had a hard time deciding between the manual vs automatic. I grew up on manuals and truly love them. The roads in the Pacific Northwest are custom made for manual transmissions. But, where I live now, in the greater Chicagoland area, I have 38 stoplights between home and work…One way! Plus, the only curves that I get to take with any regularity are getting on or off the interstates that have cloverleafs. February can't get here soon enough. One question though… I wonder what the 0-60 times would be in Steptronic mode?

]]> By: Sean http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/12/02/more_info_on_the_mcs_automatic/comment-page-1/#comment-14024 Sean Fri, 03 Dec 2004 04:11:02 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/12/02/#comment-14024 <p>My '05 MCS is on its way with steptronic (I can't wait!) Although having a stick shift is great, living in San Francisco includes many traffic jams and twice as many hills.The best of both worlds is my call on the steptronic. Thank you Mini for another great option!</p> My '05 MCS is on its way with steptronic (I can't wait!) Although having a stick shift is great, living in San Francisco includes many traffic jams and twice as many hills.The best of both worlds is my call on the steptronic. Thank you Mini for another great option!

]]> By: Allan http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/12/02/more_info_on_the_mcs_automatic/comment-page-1/#comment-14023 Allan Fri, 03 Dec 2004 02:57:52 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/12/02/#comment-14023 <p>My brother wants a MCS, but hates manual transmissions. He thinks its too much of a hassel in stop and go traffic jams. I, on the other hand, can't get enough of shifting. Maybe my brother will get one as soon as auto is available.</p> My brother wants a MCS, but hates manual transmissions. He thinks its too much of a hassel in stop and go traffic jams. I, on the other hand, can't get enough of shifting. Maybe my brother will get one as soon as auto is available.

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