See

 

I see exactly what I was describing.

A Manual trans which is standard. An Automatic trans option. And the third option is simply same auto trans with the added JCW steering wheel with paddle shifters.

Notice on the third box in your pic that there is a little chain link icon instead of the "i" (information) icon. This represents that this option can only be added along with auto trans. This is not a "different" auto transmission. See below which is the description of the third option. It states "Our 6-speed transmission that allows you to switch between automatic and manual, but with convenient F-1 inspired paddle shifters on your steering wheel to make the transition seamless as possible."

Another way to look at this is if you spec out a car with the manual trans and then go over to the interior section; if you add the JCW wheel, it does not mention the paddle shifters. Also to correct on something I mentioned earlier upon looking at what you sent; the Justa JCW wheel is the same as it would be in a manual trans MCS, no paddle shifters. So basically in either of these set ups you pay $250 for red thread and a JCW badge in the center pillar, hehe.

 

I'm particularly interested in what you are saying here.
For a while now I too had interpreted the configurator the same way as Torpeau. It looked to me like the automatic on the base cooper did not have the option for paddle shifters. In fact the information icon on the JCW steering wheel on the base cooper does not refer to paddle shifters either. If it is possible, it all seems implied rather than spelled out. This issue has been tying me up a bit.
Have you certain knowledge that the base cooper can be ordered with this functionality?
Does anyone on here have this configuration?

EDIT: I just noticed something else.. If you add the auto with paddle shifters on the 'S' it adds $1750, but adding auto + JCW steering wheel to the base it adds only $1500. Is it likely that you get the same functionality for $250 less?

Honestly, I hope so - Motormayhem you gave a ray of light… but I'm beginning to doubt again now..

 

The automatic transmissions that are called "6-Speed Steptronic Automatic" and "6-Speed Automatic with Paddle Shifter" are probably the same -- no way to tell for certain from the Configurator. If they called them both "Steptronic," it would be clearer. The "Paddle Shifter" is called the "Sport" in the owners manual, it mentions Launch Control only with the "Sport automatic transmission." Seems to me the "Paddle Shifter" used to be called "Sport" in the Configurator.

According to the manual, the two don't work exactly the same way when manually shifted. Different programming, I guess.

From what I can see, the base Cooper cannot be ordered with the paddle-shifting "Sport" set-up. Hence, no Launch Control.

 

I would agree torpeau that it may be some where along the line Mini changed the verbiage in the owners manual vs in the configurator. The manual does have a note at the beginning about edits of the text being submitted for publishing time and that it could lead to things such as this. I don't think there is a difference between the actual transmission, and maybe they went away from the "sport trans" terminology to avoid this type of confusion.

BamBam I was also originally thinking you could still have the paddle shifters in the Justa F56 as you did. But it certainly (at least by the current configurator) does not appear that way. I am thinking they overhauled all of the listings related to the JCW wheel. I recall when I was building up mine in the configurator (a while back now) that when you looked at it on the Interior section it listed the paddle shifters there as well. Now it certainly appears the only place you can opt for them is on the Performance section when building only an S F56.

I am hoping my MA and the service shop engineer will help shed some light on this when they get back with me.

 

The MINIUSA price sheet for the F56 shows option "2TB Sport automatic transmission with shift paddles" to be unavailable for the Justa.
http://s3.motoringfile.com.s3.amazon...ng-1-30-14.pdf

This seems to be a MINIUSA decision that is consistent with their past history. Paddle shifters were originally standard for automatics on both S and non-S, starting from 2005. However, sometime around 2009, MINIUSA dropped paddle shifters from all Justa models. You couldn't add it even as an option. It was to help position the S as the more sporty model. This seems to have carried forward to the F56. This is a MINIUSA decision, not worldwide policy. On the UK configurator, you can get paddle shifters on a Justa F56.

This discussion had gone off on a tangent because the automatic transmission is faster in 0-60 than the manual, and speculation that it had an advantage because of traction control. It's possible, but the result shouldn't be surprising even without traction control. These days, it is not unusual for the automatic to be faster than the manual.

 

"LC is available after the engine is warmed up" and "before using LC, allow the transmission to cool down for approx. 5 min"

so...no hot lapping at the local drag strip?

 

I guess it is common for car manufactures that put launch control on their car to void the warranties if it is used. From the Nissan GTR warranty information - "Warranty is void with the use of launch control"...

 

If that is the case than I guess we should be pleased that Mini at least allows us to use the function some. hehe

 

Porsche has it right with the 911 Turbo. And if you do it the wrong way like Nissan, you get sued. Now a MINI is not on the level of those two cars but hopefully MINI got it right.

 

We got a hurst cue ball style shift **** in the S2000 lol. I call that a win!

 

anyone give the launch control a shot yet? my buddy with a stock Focus ST wants to run me while I'm still stock (at our local track of course).

 

A lot more horsepower and torque in that ST, you're going to get smoked!!
Tell him you have the flu.

 

Lol nah it's all in good fun. Other factors come into play. It's not always more hp is the winner!

 

No, launch control is significantly more advanced than that on modern automatics. The computer(s) control as many variables as they can including loading the engine up to create boost from a dead stop. Revving and dumping the clutch on a manual won't create any (meaningful) boost until there is a load on the engine.

 

I'm not sure if you ever heard back from your MA, but there are, in fact, three different transmissions on the F56/F55:

- Getrag Manual - Standard on Cooper and Cooper S
- Aisin Automatic - $1250 option on Cooper and Cooper S
- Aisin SPORT Automatic with paddle shifters - $1500 option JUST for Cooper S

The difference being with the Sport auto, aside from the paddle shifters, is that it has different programming that allows for a sportier shift pattern, similar to flipping the shifter over to M/S on the 2nd gen cars.

 

Don't know about your cars but on mine the Sport button makes the AT very very different. Gears rev higher, downshifts more frequently, less pedal needed to downshift. The non-sport mode is more like a rental car IMO, I never use it. It goes the 5th gear in town going 40-50 MPH sometimes. I never got out of 3rd in town on my 2007 manual. \
Does only the Sport auto option come with launch control? I haven't heard about anyone actually using it. Get on it!

 

Since the MINI is not a drag car I could only see using the "launch control" maybe at an auto-x event assuming that extra 10th or 2 would help you beat a better time.. Sure it'd be fun to play with from time to time though just for sh&^s and giggles..