4th Gen MINIs | 2024-2031 F65 MINI Cooper 5 Door F66 MINI Cooper (ICE) F67 Cooper Convertible (ICE) JCW U25 MINI Countryman
MINI USA Is Currently Limiting Shift Paddles to JCW Models Only
For the new generation MINI Cooper and Countryman, MINI hasn’t just killed the manual but also eliminated shift paddles on all non-JCW models. Why have they done this and could this decision be reversed? We have details on why and some speculation for the future of the option. But we’ll need your help.
There’s no way to spin this other than to say it’s a huge blow to all who crave some interactivity while driving. While it’s sad to see this move on the Countryman, it feels tragic on the Cooper and Cooper S. It was just a few months ago when we saw the last manual transmission roll off the line for the F56 Cooper and Cooper S, and now gone is any ability to manually control shifts at all on 70% of the models sold in the US.
MINI USA has celebrated the manual transmission for years and saw over 50% take rates for the manual on the JCW last year. Perhaps even more important, the Cooper S had a 22% take rate for the manual in the US. Clearly, there’s a core group of buyers of the Cooper who are looking for the interactive nature of the manual. While there’s no full substitute, a well-engineered automatic with responsive manual shifting can be fun and create interactivity with the car that so many enthusiasts crave.
Why MINI USA Isn’t Offering Shift Paddles on non-JCW models
While we don’t have an official statement yet from MINI USA, in talking with several sources globally, it’s become clear as to why this move has taken place. According to sources, MINI global made the decision to exclusively tie the optional shift paddles to the JCW Trim (Sport Trim in the UK). Like other MINI Trims, the JCW Trim brings together several options in a single package to create a specific look and a few performance features. In other words, it gives the look of a JCW to any MINI without having to pay for it. In the case of the F66 MINI Cooper and Cooper S, JCW Trim adds 18″ Lap Spoke 2-tone wheels, black JCW seats, Adaptive Suspension, JCW brakes and the aforementioned Sport Automatic DCT transmission (which is the only way to get shift paddles).
Thus checking the box for the JCW/Sport Trim is the only way to easily manually shift via paddles in a combustion-powered MINI Cooper or Countryman. And that’s where the problem arises.
MINI USA made the decision not to offer the JCW Trim in the US a while back. From our conversations with representatives, they believed that the JCW trim takes away the specialness of the full JCW and ultimately will negatively affect the JCW brand. And we agree. It’s something we’ve seen BMW offer with its M Sport kits for years and has led to general confusion from buyers around what a real M product is.
But that decision has apparently cost MINI USA the chance to offer shift paddles on any non-JCW model. It would seem that MINI global isn’t giving any exception in making paddles exclusive to JCW Trims and thus no non-JCW MINI sold in the US will have shift paddles moving forward.
The MINI USA Model Range & What Gets Paddles
To put it in black and white, we’ve listed out the entire forthcoming combustion range of MINI models coming to the US. As you can see below there will only be three combustion JCWs out of a total of ten MINI models in the US. That means three or just 30% of the range will have shift paddles available.
| Combustion MINI Models (US Spec) | Power Output | Start of Production | Shift Paddle Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| The U25 MINI Countryman Family | |||
| U25 MINI Countryman S | 241 hp | 03/2024 | No |
| U25 MINI Countryman JCW | 312 hp | 03/2024 | Yes |
| The F66 MINI Cooper Family | |||
| F66 MINI Cooper | 161 HP | 07/2024 | No |
| F66 MINI Cooper S | 204 HP | 03/2024 | No |
| F66 MINI Cooper JCW | 231 HP | 11/2024 | Yes |
| F65 MINI Cooper 5 Door | 161 HP | 07/2024 | No |
| F65 MINI Cooper S 5 Door | 204 HP | 07/2024 | No |
| F67 MINI Cooper Convertible | 161 HP | 11/2024 | No |
| F67 MINI Cooper S Convertible | 204 HP | 11/2024 | No |
| F67 MINI Cooper JCW Convertible | 231 HP | 03/2025* | Yes |
The Secret Mode that Will Still Allow Manual Shifting
Thanks to a secret mode on all new combustion MINIs, there will still be a way to manually control shifts. While it’s not necessarily easy or satisfying, it does work. With help from MotoringFile reader Jorge Andrés, we’ve discovered a secret mode that allows the plus and minus rocker buttons on the steering wheel to act as a manual shift control.
If it sounds a bit like a video game, that’s because it feels like one. And getting to this mode isn’t easy. Here’s the sequence; start the car, select D, then pull down and select D/L, then pull down again and select D but this time hold it. And hold it. And hold it. For about 15-20 seconds actually. Finally, you’ll see the D turn into an M1 which means it’s now in manual mode.
While we’ve tested this on a new U25 Countryman, we’re told this will also work on the F66 MINI Cooper models as well.
What The Future Might Bring and How You Can Help
We find it hard to believe that MINI USA will continue to limit shift paddles to JCW models in the years ahead for one reason – you. And that’s where all of you come in. To change this oversight, we need you to leave comments on MotoringFile.com primarily but also on our social channels that relate to this story (Facebook, Threads & Instagram). MINI USA reads MotoringFile daily and gives comments on the site and our social channels a lot of attention. If we can make it evident that this is a major oversight then there’s a chance we’ll see optional shift paddles across the entire MINI range in the US.
So sound off below and let them hear your thoughts.
This is a logical consequence of Mini USA refusal to offer the JCW trim on the Cooper C and Cooper S.
Unlike you, I think this is precisely what is open to criticism.
(unlike you, I think that the M sport trim at Bmw has not caused any confusion for the Bmw M, for the good reason that the prices are in no way comparable)
Furthermore, for your information, in Europe financial penalties using pollution standards as a pretext, practically prohibit the sale of Mini JCWs (and Bmw M), this is what also explains the JCW trim on the Cooper C and the Cooper.
The confusion I see isn’t by those who are buying the car and aware of pricing. It’s the public at large that might our day to aspire to own a JCW MINI.
And the big difference with BMW’s approach is how close the Trim is to the real JCW. That’s where MINI has <a href="https://www.motoringfile.com/2023/12/12/opinion-jcw-appearance-packages-confuse-buyers-and-hurt-the-brand/" target="_blank" rel="noopener ugc">gone to far</a>
Here there are several interesting points to your article Gabriel. I learned the manual transmission on an old MINI and over the last 18 years I have owned MINIs (2007 Cooper Launch Edition, 2017 Cooper S and 2021 Clubman JCW). The manual transmission was ONE of the reasons why I loved driving my MINIs above all because they had a fun and engaging feel. I completely agree with you that you interact with the car. For me and for many members of the Quebec club, a MINI is a fun car that must be driven and the manual transmission is the way. Now putting a auto-sluh box on the regulars and the S and a paddle-shift box only to the JCW models seems like to be a marketing strategy to force people in buying JCWs witch don’t account for a big percentage of sales. The other point, I don’t understand is why the management of MINI/BMW wants so much to dilute the JCW and M label. Indeed this creates confusion for people who are not fans/afficionados of these brands. For the general public, they think they have a JCW or an M and in fact they are just aesthetic equipment with no added value. I must say this is a sad moment in MINI history!
I genuinely believe this is the absolute worst decision MINI global or MINI USA have made regarding the F65/66/67 models. For reasons I understand but don’t like, MINI has eliminated the manual transmission. But the decision to eliminate shift paddles in the F65/66/67 models is a huge mistake and quite honestly a veritable ‘middle finger’ to anyone who would prefer a manual in a MINI. MINI’s DCT is good, maybe even great, so I don’t actually view that as a huge letdown in a post-manual transmission MINI world. But to not give owners the ability to engage with their ICE-powered MINIs in such a simple but meaningful way is frankly insulting. Might as well have thrown a CVT under the hood then, truly. Not everyone wants or can afford a JCW model, but that doesn’t mean they’re not enthusiastic drivers in any way. At least give folks the OPTION of adding a JCW steering wheel with shift paddles to a Cooper C or Cooper S. Or better yet, just give folks the standalone option of the Sport Automatic (no doubt, option code 2TB again). MINI USA, if you’re reading this, you’re seriously making me question my enthusiasm for the F6X generation of MINIs, and it’s making me seriously rethink getting an F66. Especially when you’ve also eliminated any interior options for the JCW models unless you like black. What happened to the fun and engaging brand you built yourself on? So sad.
Just FYI, the “manual shift mode” in non shift paddle cars isn’t exactly meant for that, it’s a diagnostic feature, so you’ll have to contend with it constantly telling you to activate cruise control which kind of kills the experience 😛
Yes – we call that out in the article. Certainly not ideal but it’s there!
This significantly alters my plans for my next MINI. I have been a MINI owner since 2007, with four hatchbacks and one Clubman. I have had one with the JCW kit option and my current is a 2022 JCW. I had considered getting a new S or Countryman S as the HP and 0-60 were fairly close to my current JCW times as the cost of new MINI Lease and finance options have gone through the roof, but not without the Paddles. I use them all the time to effect downshifts for passing in congested situations as well as for the pure fun. I will probably buy out my lease as I have incredibly low mileage and maybe BMW will reconsider this misguided move. If the Finance and lease situations improve, maybe I will consider trading in down the line.