Anybody know when the automatic transmissions will be available again???

 

Are they not available? First I've heard of that.

 

My MA told me that they had been having issues because the ATs are made in Japan. That's why they are offering $500 off on MT cars, sadly limited to "select 2011 models in stock". She made it sound like that was not an issue for orders currently being placed?

 

That may explain why mine was delayed 2 weeks from production. It has an Automatic Trans....

 

I don't know but the Automatic in the Mini while saids Steptronic is a joke compare to other Bmw steptronic.

 

Really? I'm actually really impressed by how well the AT6 works. The paddles bring on quick shifts. I've always owned manuals but I think the auto is better.

 

Yeah it's pretty subpar, I test drove it before buying the manual. It would be consider good about 10 years ago. No where near as quick as normal Bmw Automatics in manual, it downshift when it's ready not when you want it too. It's not as slick or silky as an Audi auto or smooth as a Merc. I just didn't like it.

They paddles are all wrong as well. It should be mounted on the steering collumn not the wheel and pull on the left to go down, pull on the right to go up.

It's subjective to which their own, but the auto does definitely rob power in a small car. Although I'm bias because I've only ever liked ZF automatic gearboxes. Test drive the new A6 or a GranTurismo. That's how you make auto box.

 

Since I own both a Bmw and a MINI I disagree- the automatic in the MINI is every bit as good. The paddle shifters work the same way on both cars too. But this makes little difference to the intent of this thread.

Because of the major earthquake earlier this year in Japan, many Japanese suppliers of parts have been effected and while this has had the greatest effect on companies like Honda, and Toyota- it has also effected MINI because the automatic transmission is made by Aisin. Interestingly enough, Aisin also makes transmissions for Porsche and Audi among others.

 

My MA also said there was a 2 week delay due to limited supply of Automatic transmissions. My Countryman was set for an August 2011 production date. I was hoping to be driving him before the end of Sept.