Post
by Corranga » Mon Oct 01, 2018 11:26 am
I've only driven 1 semi-auto - a 2018 Mini Cooper S 7 speed dual clutch thingy.
I have no idea how that particular box is compared to other semi autos, like the VW DSG, but... I had the car for 3 or 4 weeks and managed 800+ miles in it.
As someone who enjoys sporty driving, and coming from a narrow power (torque) band 20018 diesel Alfa owned for 6 years, that I said might as well have been an auto, I expected to get it. I loved the car, but I hated the box.
In normal auto, it was an eco box - always 2 gears above where you wanted, which meant when you put your foot down, it dropped 2 cogs before anything happened - like some sort of modern turbo lag.
In sport auto, it was always a gear or 2 below where you wanted, to people would turn their head as you attracted attention with a loud popping exhaust doing 20mpg around town like a plonker, or you'd be out for a fun drive and it'd unsettle the car mid corner as it shifts up.
I'd describe it as always in the wrong gear.
In manual mode, I just didn't get it. I had to press a button to change gear - it was neither rewarding, or fun. I didn't really see the point of not just leaving it in auto.
On my commute, well, the argument is who cares right? Full auto was fine, it got me to and from work, and I didn't miss a manual - the problem is, I have no issues with driving a manual, and it doesn't really feel like extra effort.
For me, or the Mini (presumable BMW?) box isn't great.
Yesterday I picked up my new daily - a 2016 Mini Cooper S - 6 speed manual
'16 MINI Cooper S - Family fun hatch
'98 Lotus Elise - Fun day car
'07 Fiat Panda 100HP - Daily puddle jumper
'04 Maserati Coupe GT - Manual, v8, Italian...