Hello fellow auto enthusiasts...

Feed back please…just ordered 2011 Clubman S. I have been on the fence about transmission choices, manual or automatic. This will be my daily driver, and I am on the road averaging 500 miles a week, mixed highway and in town (gas is killing me driving the E55) I have a few days to decide before the car goes into production. On one hand the manual has the “fun factor”; on the other hand, the automatic has its plusses in traffic, etc. (being in the congested SF Bay Area)

Any input?
Thx, Ron.

 

Please get the manual. I had an 08 MCS which I DD 60 miles a day everyday for about a year. Fantastic clutch. Not taxing at all in traffic. Only thing I would suggest is getting a short shifter as the throws in the stock config are like a Mack truck

 

WOW that was quick! Thanks for the response. Yes, manual was my first choice, but keep thinking how many other things I'm doing while driving. I know, I know, now I going to hear it from people. But I must multitask as I am working while driving. Phone, making notes, in and out of breifcase, etc. Now its not all the time so it might be ok. Also need to think resale I am loading the car up pretty good so maybe auto might be good for this.

 

Auto isn't that bad. I had an MCS for years with auto. I too commute in bay area traffic and while I said i'd never own an auto, it just isn't 'fun' when you don't even get up to 50mph very often. Besides you (like I) have the porsche for fun, so get what will make your life more enjoyable. For me that auto in a dd with stop and go traffic made my commute much more enjoyable (if that's the right word to use when thinking about traffic on the bridge at 8am).

 

Thanks guys. Went with the auto.

 

How do you like it so far?

 

on order...ill let you know in a few weeks...takes 6-8 weeks to build and transport to the states.

 

Have not received yet

 

I do not see any reason to choose manual. I have lived in Europe most of my life and I despise those manuals. Make your life easier and drive an automatic. God Bless America for the automatics

 

In defense of the tiptronic auto, we have one in our '06 S and we really like it. The semi-manual mode allows shifting with the stick or the steering wheel paddles, and while it has a little shift-lag compared to the Porsche PDK, it's still a very practical choice for the mini. There are those times where you just don't want to be fooling with the clutch and shifter. Enjoy the Clubman - hope it turns out to be everything you want.

 

Thanks for the note...still waiting to arrive.

 

I'd say for for manual...though I personally don't plan on getting another manual unless it's my 3rd drive-in-a-blue-moon car

 

Only and always manual.

 

the auto is great.

We got a 11 Cooper S as a city commuter car so we got it automatic... my wife doesn't drive stick...

I have to say that i am pretty impressed with the little thing... In traffic is excellent... I can't say that its the smoothest auto i have driven, but there are certain things that i enjoy... It properly downshifts even if you are not using the sport mode, it is quite fast in changes and doesn't really slip...

On the sport mode on, it significantly faster when changing, it never puts 6th gear, keeps in in 5th and generellay it keeps revs higher...

The other great plus is that if you use it in auto/manual, the shifting is properly setup... pull back to upshift, push front to downshift... THIS IS THE WAY THAT ALL AUTO/MANUALS SHOULD BE!!!

 

Good choice. I've got a stick S for a daily driver. With about 90 miles round trip daily in Dallas traffic. Would trade it in a heartbeat for an auto.