| Wheeee!
I am restarting this subject based on the careful, helpful advice from several people today in the thread COOPER, Cooper CVT objective testing.
We have discovered a new car -- in the Cooper CVT with 32.1 we already had in the garage! I feel a bit embarrassed, especially after writing some of what has been written (even right above), but them's the facts so ...
I didn't how the Cooper CVT transmission worked!
I was using only two (2) of the three (3) distinctly different modes available in the CVT.
The MINI Owner's Manual (p.46-48) does not really explain these modes, or how to use them effectively. With all the attention on the software problems, we haven't focused on the very engaging side to the CVT transmission.
1.
Drive ("D" in the speedo) is the Continuously Variable Transmission mode.
2.
Sport (some say SportDrive, "SD" in the speedo) provides very similar functionality as D, but with a much more aggressive map, at consistently higher engine rpm to give more horsepower to the computer. This is engaged by pushing the shift lever to the right, but no push or pull (this is the mode I never found)!
3.
Steptronic ("1, 2, 3 ,4 ,5 or 6" in the speedo) is engaged from the S (right) shift lever position which first displays "SD", then the virtual gear selection by a single push or pull on the shift lever.
My stories were generated from the Steptronic mode, which is not great off the line, but does everything well as a manual would too in the medium speed stuff we were driving.
This Sport mode is much smoother. It shifts at 6000rpm but the belt adjustment is controlled much better. There is engine braking too, I think not a sharp as Steptronic, so throttle-steer part may work well in Sport also.
Very, very cool! Thanks to those who helped me on this.
MINI should be talking about this differently, and much more.  | 
