(Note This was mistakenly posted in 1st Gen...no idea how to delete it from there.

Wow are my wife and I sick We preemptively sold our one owner (us) very low mileage 2005 CVT Mini to purchase a 2nd generation Mini with an Aisin (Japanese) transmission. We now find out that Mini is no longer putting Japanese transmissions in their 2009's.

We absolutely loved Stewie but the worries about the CVT were too great to overcome. Had we known that Mini was once again going to experiment with automatic transmissions, we would have kept our CVT and taken our chances with a 3rd party warranty.

I personally have really come to hate Mini/BMW for using us a guinea pigs at times. The warranty is generous which helps. I wish Mini would simply use high quality reliable technology even if it costs a little more. When I'm making a $25K Plus investment, I'm more than willing to pay more to get more. The quality/design of the radio in the center stack is a primary example.

It is my understanding that the new automatics are coming from somewhere in Europe. Does anyone have any specific details on where the new transmissions are coming from? Did Mini change suppliers because of cost or reliability?

 

Per the MINIUSA site configurator and learn tabs, the Aisin is still what is offered on the MINIs. Where did you hear otherwise?

 

Have not heard this. The Clubman S we have on order has the Aisin Trans.

 

I posted on your first gen thread. The info you received is incorrect. I'll cross post for you, in case the mods decide to delete the other thread.

From my post on the first gen thread:

Where did you get your info? According to MINIUSA, the 2009 automatics still use the AISIN 6 speed agitronic automatic transmission with paddle shifters, and the manual transmission is made by Getrag.

Be aware that many of the automotive review websites out there have NOT updated their pages, and are using information from the first gen cars to describe the second gen vehicles. If you want up to date info, you should stick with playing with the configurator on MINIusa.com or on Motoring File.

I hope this helped clear things up.

 

FYI....My reference is from 2nd Gen Minis.....a poster named "Dookiepower from Dublin, CA. "Thread...Now that there here are there any differences between the 2008's and 2009". As quoted in his post:


Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Dublin, CA
Posts: 20

Gallery
Dookiepower states: "The 09's have the JCW speedo that goes to 160 MPH. New for 09. Also if you have an Automatic it doesn't come from Japan anymore it comes from Europe (I think France)."

Thanks for clarifying....I'll also ask MiniUSA to be sure. I was really looking forward to the reliability of the Aisin transmission...

 

The french bit comes from the engine, which is co-developed with Peugeot and used by all Gen 2 Minis since day one.

 

Just received 2009 MCSa. I understand that the manual transmissions are from Germany (Getrag), but the automatics are Japanese.

 

you are listening to someone who calls themselves "dookiepower"?

 

dookie corrected his post later as I recall. Aisin is the AT all the way!

 

gee. i believe everything i read on the internet

 

The power of the Internet...

 

Actually the manual is from Germany's Getrag

 

Altho Aisin is Japanese in origin, Aisin World Co. has factories all over the world, and is renowned for high-quality drive train products. As I said on the other thread, why would MINI dump them, when the Aisin has been one of the most dependable drivetrain components ever put on these cars?

 

I'm guessing this was a simple misunderstanding. Someone heard of the French content of the engine & mis-remembered transmission instead. Parts for our little cars are sourced all over the place