*****UPDATE: MINI Bulletin M-30-0811-0016 addresses this issue. In a nutshell, MINI acknowledges a mistake was made and will soon begin a retrofit solution*******


My 2012 MCSa came in last night and i picked it up. I didn't think much about it, but when i drove into work this morning, i was going to mess around with the paddle shifters and noticed there weren't any.

I didn't order the JCW wheel, JCW package, or anything that I can think of. I'm a bit confused. Has anyone seen/heard this before?

 

I don't think the newer ones have them anymore. I had a 2011 loaner a few months ago that was auto and didn't have the paddles.

 

Ordering the JCW appearance package is the only reason I know of that would delete the paddles on an automatic because you get the JCW wheel with red stitching instead. That's how mine is. Confusing...

Could you post a pic of your interior so we can see what wheel you have?

If it's any consolation, you can use the gear selector stick to perform the same function as the paddles.

Jon

EDIT: The 2011 loaner I had did have the paddles, and the 2012 documentation that lists all the packages and options specifically states that the JCW appearance package deletes the paddles, which implies that they would be there otherwise.

 

Hi Jon,

Yeah, i thought the JCW appearance package / JCW Alcantara wheel were the only things that would cancel out the paddles.

I'll take a picture and post in an hour or so once i go to lunch. I was playing with the gear selector. when I was driving in, but the paddles are just so much fun. it was one of the reasons i was okay with getting an automatic as opposed to a manual (well, that and the horrible DC traffic)

 

The 2012 owner's manual talks about using the paddle shifters, and using the MINI's builder website (which I guess is still using 2011 data) to build a MCSa, it still mentions the paddle shifters when selecting the automatic transmission as well

Whether they actually have them appears to be a different story (given our history)

 

I've got a 2011 MCSa. They come with paddles.

 

My MA responded with the following:

"Good morning Adam, unfortunately in 2012 MINI has decided not to include the paddle shifters as standard equipment anymore. You still have the ability to shift the car manually by using the shifter."

Wish they told me that before I ordered the **** car...

 

Should've just bought a 6 speed

 

Here are the images:







Woe is me...

 

Yep, if I knew they were going to do that, I would have...

 

That's too bad but your car is really nice.

 

The automatic is a six speed.

Dave

 

Hopefully this thread doesn't turn into another one of those "I hate automatic transmissions" threads

That being said, I love my paddles. They're fun on the street and otherwise . You might be able to retrofit the paddles if you really wanted them on there. OctaneGuy was able to do it with his JCW steering wheel through modification, but you may not even have to go that far. Since the steering wheel is standard, there might already be a place for them. Maybe you'll want to go over your options with your MA?

 

It is tough buying a car so early in the production year. There are often times little things like this are deleted. Unfortunately these little things end up being big things to people. I hope it doesn't sour you on your car, she looks great!

 

Micron, one other idea...
Look at the final build sheet with your production number that you got the day you ordered your car. The line item for the Auto option should say something similar to "6-speed Automatic Transmission with Paddle Shifters...$1250".

My sheet is at home and I'm at work so I can't check mine, but I'd be curious to see what yours says. If it shows 2012 and lists the paddle shifters, then I'd say they owe you some paddles if they didn't warn you beforehand...let us know!

Jon

 

Eh, the car is still fun as hell to drive, and I still have my 370z for my manual transmission fix. So, there’s not too much to be sour over. It’s disappointing because I love paddle shifters, but it’s not the end of the world.

I guess this can, at the very least, be a heads up to any individuals who have ordered 2012 automatics. I have an e-mail out to my MA asking if paddle shifters are now an upgrade, or gone completely. His “no longer standard” statement was rather vague in that regard.

I noticed OctaneGuy’s thread earlier today when trying to find an answer to myself! It’s a very impressive. However, part of me wants to just say screw it and throw on a momo or something now that I’m without the paddles…

 

I have a '12 Clubman S auto on order. This discussion made me go look at the vehicle inquiry sheet attached to my purchase contract. It specifically states " 6 sped automatic transmission with paddle shifters" as a $1250 options.

Left message for MA. We'll see what develops

 

I am waiting for mine to be built.

My order on the OL says, "Sport steering wheel w paddles"

So I assume they are making 2012's with them.

 

I just checked the final build sheet and option "205" is simply "STEPTRONIC automatic transmission" now. I guess it's possible that paddles are a different option, still kind of dumb that they didn't do things like in the past.

 

As a side note, starting in 09 MINI stopped putting the paddle shifters on non-S model automatics. Luckily my 08 base model has them!

 

glad i bought mine in 2011.

so, no paddles for 2012. but the price for auto option is still the same at $1250. am i missing something here.... shouldn't the option price go down?

 

Wow! Sorry to hear it...

 

It was a production mix-up that wasn't caught by the dealer on your car. You will end up getting them, just call the service department and tell them what happened. In the 2012 model year changeover there have been several mixups, and this is one.

 

Not sure about now, but for a while the paddles were a $100 option in Canada.

With only a few months left on my lease, I am finding I use the paddle shifters more, maybe just to stem the boredom of not having a manual tranny . I would be pretty annoyed if I was expecting the paddles and the car arrived missing them.

I know some people think the paddles are sporty like F1 cars I guess... but I am a fan of WRC and they often seem to have the stick shifter for their sequential manual trannies.

 

Did you add the "sports package" because as I said above, My build sheet on the OL says, "Sport steering wheel w paddles"