[ar75]

I've paid for a MFSW with crusie control, audio control and thumb switches of CVT steptronic tranmission but I got one without the last item. My dealer claimed that there would be a retro-fit kit in the 1st quarter 2003. Anyboby hear about this? I'm angry.

[elmadi]

Quote:

Originally posted by ar75
I've paid for a MFSW with crusie control, audio control and thumb switches of CVT steptronic tranmission but I got one without the last item. My dealer claimed that there would be a retro-fit kit in the 1st quarter 2003. Anyboby hear about this? I'm angry.

..haven,t heard of "thumb switches" of CVT.

I got a CVT but does not have these.Please clarify.

[mia]

do you mean the electronic button start???

[PigLick]

I think what he's saying is that he was told his MFSW would have thumb switches/buttons on it which would let him change modes/gears on his CVT. I've never heard anything about this.

Maybe your dealer didn't know quite as much as they were letting on, and took a bit of "artistic license" with their sales pitch in regards to the MFSW?

PigLick

[Basil]

Hmmm.....Both Daihatsu & Honda have this feature on their "lower range" vehicles. Nice to see it in the MINI.

[mia]

Quote:

Originally posted by PigLick
I think what he's saying is that he was told his MFSW would have thumb switches/buttons on it which would let him change modes/gears on his CVT. I've never heard anything about this.

Maybe your dealer didn't know quite as much as they were letting on, and took a bit of "artistic license" with their sales pitch in regards to the MFSW?

PigLick

maybe--when i was first thinking of buying squirt..i heard somewhere?? that the manual part of the CVT would be able to be done from the steering wheel--where we know change the volume/radio stations. i was wrong. i misunderstood

[BruceK]

Quote:

Originally posted by PigLick
I think what he's saying is that he was told his MFSW would have thumb switches/buttons on it which would let him change modes/gears on his CVT. I've never heard anything about this.

Maybe your dealer didn't know quite as much as they were letting on, and took a bit of "artistic license" with their sales pitch in regards to the MFSW?

I don't think it was a case of the dealer misleading at all.

Before and during the MINI’s launch there were numerous press accounts that the CVT-equipped MINI Coopers would indeed be offered with steering mounted shift controls similar to Porsches and MGF models and other cars.

There’s a mention on this website:

http://www.bmwworld.com/models/mini/transmission.htm

Quote:

• ”A steering wheel with Steptronic control is offered as an optional extra, with the switches on the front and rear of the steering wheel spokes. The switches on the front of the steering wheel change the gears up, and the switches on the rear change down. “

Here’s another mention:

http://www.sae.org/automag/globalvehicles/08-2001/

Quote:

• ” The Steptronic CVT can also be controlled from the steering wheel.. “

So..... did BMW/MINI decide not to do this, or is it delayed like other features (Harmon Kardon, etc.) ??

[PigLick]

Agreed, the dealer may not have been intentionally deceiving (that's why I used "artistic license" instead, a bit softer than just saying they lied), but they don't seem to be fully up to par on product info. Either that, or they are way ahead of par with the retro-fit kit, since that seems to be the first we've heard of it.

I do also remember the discussion of the CVT controls on the steering wheel, what I meant about having heard nothing about it is actually hearing of it existing. I hope they do add it in the future, as mine is (err, will be, I suppose) CVT, and it seems like a pretty neat feature to have.

PigLick

[bebop]

would this be similar to the smg transmission optional on the bmw m3?

[MINIAC]

Quote:

would this be similar to the smg transmission optional on the bmw m3?

Only in the sense that you could shift using the normal shifter or steering wheel controls ... the CVT and SMG transmissions are totally different animals.

[ar75]

The published retail price list faxed to me by the dealer clearly printed "Multi-function leather steering wheel with stepronic control thumb switches". The dealer did not explain the issue until I kept on complaining. They said that the manufacturer would introduce a retro-fit kit in early 2003. I had detailed the case to the manufacturer by email and it only said that I would be contacted by Mini Service. I have been waiting for 4 days. Not a clue from teh Mini Service up till now.

[yukclee]

This is interesting. I probably got the same treatement from the dealer. But my description sheet was handed to me when I put my deposit in 2001. I suppose the dealer was also mis-informed by the factory too. So can't blame the dealer on this one.
And I am wondering if they are going to retrofit the thing, where do they find space on my steering wheel? It's so full of buttons now!?
YCLee

[ar75]

Basically, I think that the dealer is somewhat partially owned by the manufacturer, so they are on the same line.

Actually, I don't expect there will be a retrofit kit. I just concern the make-up solution proposed by the dealer and the manufacturer. I've paid the full price for a product equipped with all the accessories detailed in the specification list and I'm entitled for what I have paid for.

Maybe we could group together to force the dealer to solve the case shortly.

Will you show up on Saturday night? It would be nice to see you and your baby again.

Regards,
ar75

[yukclee]

I can't agree more with what you think.
They are not sure about things and they never want to find the truth. So they just make up things and hope you will disappear.
I will be there on Sat. See ya!
YCLee

[ar75]

"With reference to our reply to you on the above subject, the latest information from BMW indicates that the Steptronic control button on the steering wheel will be available on March, 2003 production automatic CVT MINIs, the technical department of BMW have been requested by ourselves through our Beijing rep. offfice to provide a solution to my proposed retrofitting of this feature onto your car once available."

The above is the message received from the dealer this morning. If this is the case, I think the retrofit kit will be available in the second quarter of 2003 at the earliest. It's too late. I'm planning to direct the case to the Consumer Council.