Using past experience with the John Cooper Works Product line what would be a good estimate for when the kit will come out. It was scheduled on the BMW press release to be out by the end of 2007 but that has passed.

1. By the end of this month

2. By the end of April

3. By June before the JCW Factory Car

4. Never

And there you have it. In the USA market, the JCW tuning kit was never released for the MCSa in the 1st Gen MINIs.

That might change for this Gen (and based upon MotoringFile, it will)... but you did say "using past experience".

I know this won't be a popular comment ... but it has to be said by someone, so here goes.

...Maybe MINI assume that people who buy Automatics would be less likely to fit the JCW kit to there car Hence we haven't seen any urgency from MINI in releasing it.

If the MINI came with a trick double clutch Auto like VWs DSG then I would understand why people might consider an Auto in their Cooper S. But since it doesn't, I can't understand why (short of medical reasons like you only have one arm or one leg) anyone would buy a MINI with an automatic transmission Seriously guys, you are really missing out on alot of the fun with the Auto as the MINI 6-speed manual gearbox is one of the sweetest ones around.

I'm in the "medical reasons" category (only have use of my right hand/arm). For this reason, and this reason only, I have an auto. It is one of the nicest autos I have driven but it's still an auto. Something like DSG would really be nice but they would need to keep the push/pull paddles. The DSG uses down on left and up on right. That may be the proper way to do it but its worthless to me in that configuration.

As my father taught me "god intended cars to be RWD and manual". Well, they don't make a RWD MINI and I can no longer drive a manual (actually I can but you don't want to me in the lane next to me when I go to shift). I still want my JCW parts! I especially want them on the auto because of the rumored changes to the shift points. Driving around in "sport" mode all the time isn't practical but starting out in 2nd all the time is really lame too.

Get on the ball MINIUSA and we will start writing checks.

Mini automatic,"the ultimate short shifter"Q

There are at least two people on the boards who have recently gotten the JCW tuning kit installed on their MCSa. Given that, it should be widely available in no time.

bloody thing still has a slushbox

How long until MINI takes care of that and drops one of the fancy BMW DCT transmissions into the S?

One can wish... That'd be so sweet! Especially now that they have the 7-speed SMG (in the M6) - it's supposed to kick a*s.

I've heard word of the tuning kit coming out early june from quite a few different dealers who "have connections" and usually know their stuff...hope so...

Well I (thankfully) have use of all my parts and still want an automatic when/if I buy a mini S. I have a terrible commute in the SF Bay Area and sitting in stop and go traffic for an hour with a clutch is not appealing to me. So perhaps consider that situation for those that wish automatics. If things were different I would definitely want the 6 speed though.

There is a global conspiracy against the tall. I'll forgive your alienating and misinformed comments since you must be one of the wee people and just don't have any idea what it's like to be of normal stature.
At least you're blessed to be free of other disabilities.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=123964

This was Saturday; I'm the guy on the right:

Sometimes the choice is not for medical reasons. It can be as stated above---traffic. Other drivers who do not prefer stick shift or are comfortable with it (my wife) and use the car on occssion, etc. People buy automatics--Porsche sells a ton of Tiptronics ( not that I would touch one). The market dictates their availabilty and they truly have improved. The MINI is just one example.

I would prefer stick BUT I compromise on this car to accomodate my wife.
I have another high perf car with a 6 speed/clutch. An auto MINI is better than NO MINI so I deal with it.

PS..the JCW auto MINI is very impressive ( I am one of "those guys") . My friend who had a 6 speed/clutch R56 MCS w/o JCW at this point was blown away after driving my car and his back to back.

Early info stated the Factory JCW car would be available early June. Last I heard they were working on getting enviornmental approval on auto kit. I think if we do not see the auto kit within the next month we never will. The approval will either be given or denied. Mini corporate e-mailed me in December and said the auto kit is done and they were having problems with their approvals. 6 weeks have passed and the e-mail I got yesterday from Mini corporate said they are having complications getting approval. My guess is we will never see the kit.

As I posted in the other related thread, I've been waiting a long time to place an order based upon the availability for a JCW Stage I automatic.
For what it's worth, I talked to several MA's at Mini of Dallas today, and they all told me that the Stage I auto simply is not going to happen. Of course we all know how things change, but they were adamant that I was wasting my time if I was holding out for it...
Jon

Note, I have since called 6 more dealerships (details in the other thread) and the general consensus seems to be that existence of the kit is a serious longshot at best, with most telling me outright that it just isn't going to happen...

I have talked to corporate on this issue and the tone has gone from it will be out soon to no timetable having issues getting it approved.

It is hard to believe BMW could do a press release saying the kit will be out and then scratch it without an alternative. It is a good thing you have waited to order the car. I ordered my auto taking the press release seriously not to mention the suspension and body kit and now it looks like I will not be able to finish off the car. So I spent 31000 dollars for a car I can't finish.