Actually, Jeremy E. confirmed what I wrote in my post: manufacturers who sell their own name brand products do not want their names identified publicly with the "house brands" (e.g. BMW Steptronic) which they manufacture for others. Hence BMW's unwillingness to publicly (in writing) disclose who makes their Steptronic.

The only reason I reopened this old thread was because my 2009 was built in the 2nd week of the model year and I thought that there had been a change from 2008 models. I'd still like to know if anyone who bought a 2008 MCSa has a window sticker that says "Steptronic" versus "Agitronic"...so far, so no one has replied on this.

 

I have a 2006 MCS, and the sticker says "Steptronic" - that's what they've ALWAYS said.

 

Thanks, Paul. This is my first MINI, so I had no way of knowing what has been happening ALWAYS. I had just read Agitronic on the Configurator and Steptronic on the window sticker...

 

My 2008 MCSa says STEPTRONIC in the options, and Japan under Country of Origin for the transmission. France for CoO for the engine.

 

My 2009 MCSa that I picked up last Saturday says France and Steptronic for the transmission. It responds and looks just like the 08 I test drove so don't think there was any change.

 

True, but if U read the descriptive paragraph when selecting the auto on the configger it begins "This Aisin 6 speed...." And since that is the central issue behind this and the other thread, I say case closed. Enjoy yr MCSa, like I plan to do

 

Actually they do say who makes it on the configurator. See above post.

 

Mis-posting.

 

I conclude from this that:

- the transmission is made by Aisin;

- in 2008 MCSs the transmission was manufactured in Japan; in 2009 MCSs it was manufactured in France;

- the electronic controller for shifting the transmission is a proprietary design from BMW, called Steptronic;

- BMW has erred on the Configurator in referring to this electronic controller as an Agitronic, which is Aisin's proprietary design, rather than a Steptronic.

I'm still concerned about how often I should change the air in my tires, and where the reservoir is for the blinker fluid.

 

From what I am reading... BMW is intensely silent about who their parts manufacturers are. There is no way to know for sure that the tranny on the 2009 cars is made by AISIN without taking one apart. AISIN has factories all over the world, not just in Japan. They have several plants across Europe and Asia.

"Steptronic" is the name that BMW applies to all of the paddle shifter automatic transmissions that it uses in all of its cars. It's a trademark and not all "Steptronic" transmissions are necessarily the same or even made by the same manufacturer. The previous CVT transmission was also called a "Steptronic" transmission by BMW.

What I can tell you for sure about the transmission is that BMW abandoned the CVT transmission entirely. The new transmission is a hydraulic automatic transmission unit. Rest assured, your 2009 does NOT have a CVT in it.

 

Have a 2008 Cabrio (07/08 manufacture) and the window sticker says:
STEPTRONIC automatic trans.
This may be different for gen 2 cars, but I doubt it.

Steve

 

A: change your air at the same time you change your oil (maybe somebody can remind me how ofter you should do that....)
B: the blinker fluid reservoir is underneath the boot in a little plastic container labeled "Steptronic/Aisin/Agitronic, made in France or Germany or Japan (you pick)". It's easy to see and check.

 

FWIW, Tiptronic was developed by Porsche so they could have an automatic trans that was almost comparable with the stick in terms of performance - just without a clutch pedal.

Later Audi started using them and then VW........

To me they all pretty much work just like any automatic has since day 1 with the addition of being able to select all of the gears - old PRNDL trans would only let you go from drive to 2nd until you were almost stopped, but they worked pretty much the same way - move the lever to select a different gear. It's all very silly to me since using your foot on the gas pedal does pretty much the same thing. And why do you need these in 4 cyl sedans like Chrysler Cirrus and such?

 

The 2008 (Non-'S') Cabrio would have been the last MINI produced with the CVT (the 2005-2008 'S' Cabrio's had the Aisin version).

Continously Variable Transmission implies No Gears, but with Steptronic, there were six gears simulated with the CVT Paddle Shifter.

 

the TPMS will tell you when yr air has lost it airy-ness. Change it then.

the blinker fluid reservoir is located behind the right tailight. Altho japanese, it is made in France.

 

I put helium in my tires. I heard it makes the MINI lighter and quicker.

 

It is not who builds the transmission that should be of concern. It is who designed the transmission that is important. Most automobile manufacturers design their own components and then farm out the designs to be built by a third party.

Look at the engine. Designed by BMW (upper engine) and Peugout (sp? lower engine)), built in France and Japan. Transmission is probably no different. From what I have been able to tell, Mini has at least teo different suppliers for every part of the Mini. It is just smart business.

 

could "agitronic" refer to the paddles proper? I get this by reading this:

http://www.miniusa.com/feature-agitr...Top_Features-m

then we have the other authoritah, who we know is always right:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiptronic

 

My bad...it is an S (2008 cabrio).

Steve

 

I'm sure this is not the place, especially since everyone here seems to be so testy, but since it has been brought up - change the air in the tires?

 

Whoooooosh!!!!!

 

Yes, most owners apparently do it according to the season: summer air in the summer, etc. It's also part of the custom maintenance scheduling done by dealers during the warranty period. It's not expensive, but provides a real "breath of fresh air" for the inner tire surfaces.

 

If the air has ever been changed in my MC tires, no one has ever mentioned it to me. Nor has it been listed on the work order thingy that they gave me at the end. I have never heard of such. And sorry for the change in subject, but I had to ask.

 

They are pulling your leg.

 

For a few dollars extra, some dealers will offer scented air as well. Lemony scents are usually favored for the yellow MINIs, fresh forest evergreen scent for the British Racing Green. I plan to do the cherry for my Chili Red.