My problem and testing are exactly the same as jstines. My april 2003 MCS hiccup is RPM independent as well (different acceleration style = different hiccup RPM), although I have it around 1800 RPM most often, when I accelerate normally.

I have been reading about these issues with interest....My May 03 build car has exibited the 1st gear stutter from day one. I am now up to 600 miles and it has not got any better. I am not convinced about the RPM making a difference on pulling away, but I have noticed a slight "stutter" (for want of a better word) at around 1800/1900RPM when decellerating. I can live with this, but the pulling away stutter is starting to hack me off.

Also, has anybody else experienced any hestitation when accellerating in 2nd/3rd?? I have seen people referring to a yo-yo effect, but this seems a bit extreme to describe what is happening to my car...

I want it sorted - soon!!

Just finished break-in on my May 03 build MCS. Stutter still there, but spent the weekend driving hard in the mountains of NC. Stutter seamed better for a few days, but is coming back as before now that I am back in stop-go traffic. I wonder if it learned better manners when driven hard, and is now re-learning its bad behavior.

Anyone else notice a difference affected by say the last 100 miles of driving?

Wes

I am noticing that problem too but I thought I was doing something wrong. I'm going to mention something to the dealer when I go in for the recall notice.

Dropped MateyChops in today to Momentum Mini in Houston
after mentioning the stutter from first to second. They didn't give me any grief, just dropped 33.2 in there.

I have to say that the car feels more responsive. The stutter is still there, but less noticable. I will come back in a day or so and give an update.

All I can say is that I tip my hat to Steve and the gang at Momentum for not giving me the run around.

MateyChops,

Do you have a Cooper S?

See ya,
JS

If you get the reduced pulley from www.mini-motorsport.com and have it installed you will never feel that stutter hesitation at all. Randy from www.mini-motorsport.com was here in South Florida last week and did installs for those that wanted them down here and I can say the Mini S is now like a new car. It has so much power. It creates boost almost immediately and has plenty of torque. The pulley is the gives you the best bang for the buck. It is just for Cooper S. www.mini-motorsport.com offers much more stuff that they put through real world testing. Good luck.

I have a MC that stutters in first gear. It has even had the CD 33 upgrade and it still does it.

Jstines...

Yes. It is a Cooper S.

After a few more days.

I do have to say it is better. There is still a hesitation but it happens far less frequently and is less dramatic.

So I give the 33.2 upgrade a 'qualified' two thumbs up.

Glad to see you appreciate your dealer's helpfulness. My dealer, Crevier BMW of Santa Ana, CA, is all smiles and complementary coffee; but they get an F in the "actually useful" category.

Not only does Crevier tell me that the 1st-gear stutter is "just the way all supercharged cars are," they won't even humor me by researching possible fixes with MINI. I'm just another dumbass they need to placate until they can wash my car and get me the hell out of there. Being bubbly and enthusiastic-to-serve on the outside, while being utterly unhelpful and uncaring on the inside is an art-form they've mastered. It took me a few visits to figure this out about them.

The other kicker is how the Crevier service reps almost come out and tell me to give them fives on the satisfaction surveys. They never even start by asking how I felt about their service. They just hand me a service contract folder that says "WE STRIVE FOR 5," and tell me how anything less than five is considered bad (and could I be a doll...*wink* *wink*).

Needless to say, I won't ever be going back to either their service or sales departments. I'll be peeling the little "Preferred Customer" sticker off my car and taking it to either Irvine or Long Beach. And someday maybe -- just maybe -- I'll figure this 1st-gear stutter thing out. Hell, even "We see this as being a problem but don't yet have a fix" would be a huge step in the right direction.

Originally posted by MateyChops
Dropped MateyChops in today to Momentum Mini in Houston
after mentioning the stutter from first to second. They didn't give me any grief, just dropped 33.2 in there.

I have to say that the car feels more responsive. The stutter is still there, but less noticable. I will come back in a day or so and give an update.

All I can say is that I tip my hat to Steve and the gang at Momentum for not giving me the run around. :rolleyes:

I printed a bunch of comments from this thread to take in as evidence if only to persuade that I was not 'alone' in the observation of the problem. In my case I didn't need it as it turned out...

Initially I suggested that the service manager read www.mini2.com when he asked for more detail on the problem, and he said that he "wasnn't allowed to" which I thought was just odd.

Anyway I hope that the more people press this with MINI the more chance it actually gets resolved (as I said earlier 33.2 is better but still not bug free).

Gary

I discovered a really odd "solution" to the problem today...it seems that if as soon as I fully engage the clutch, if I immediately let off of the throttle completely (beating the lurch) and then feed it gas from then on, no stutter...just smooth acceleration. Not the quickest way to get going, but no annoying lurch either.

A lot of yo-yo'ing today though...either that or it's just more pronounced when my car is more filled.

I have only noticed the issue when it is warmer out? Anyone else notice this?

My MCS has just developed the first gear hiccup after getting a software update after overheating on a major highway last week (another post altogether). My car has 16,500 miles on it and I've got to say I'm pretty unhappy with my MINI right now. I haven't been married before but I just thought the honeymoon would at least last until the first anniversary on July 5. Guess I was naive.

By the way, the hiccup appears to be immune to weather although it's only been in the 45-60F degree range since my software update and start of the problem.

My S has also developed some weird new characteristics after recieving the 33.2 version upgrade this past weekend. My wife was the first to notice it. The first time she tried to drive it, it started the 1st gear go-stutter-go problem. I thought maybe it was just her driving, but it has done it for me now a couple of times as well. I decided to check here on the message boards and sure enough there was this big long thread about it. My car also has the "just under 2000 RPM decelleration hiccup". And, I've also noticed a huge flat spot in the RPMs just after shifting from 2nd to 3rd when under full throttle accelleration. Has anyone else noticed this one? I swear none of these traits were there before.

Ironically, I has asked for the upgrade because my car had developed the starting hesitation problem sense the weather has gotten warmer, (which by the way the upgrade had no effect on and I still have.) I wish I had not asked for the upgrade as it has just added new problems.

I also have a friend I work with that has an S. He had the same upgrade a few days earlier than me and the same problems appeared in his car after the upgrade.

Minisven,

Yes. I have all of the issues you describe. I had a 5 hour road trip one-way over the weekend, and I really paid attention.

Hiccup/stutter when launching from dead stop in 1st.

~1500 RPM hiccup when decelerating. Doesn't matter which gear I'm in.

I haven't done full-throttle acceleration, but I've noticed the dead spot you've described under heavy acceleration. I did not pay attention to which gear I was in, however. I'll keep an eye on it.

Do they not test these software "updates" before releasing them? I can't imagine having every new car doing hiccups like this and someone in quality assurance signing off on it.

See ya,
JS

If MINI USA says this version is suppose to fix the problem, perhaps the service techs either haven't been taught the correct way to do upgrades or else they are just skipping steps. I've seen in some threads about techs not clearing out the memory mapping first before installing the upgrade, etc.

Minicooperdc,

Your theory may be valid, but in my case, I'm dealing with a brand new car straight from the factory.

See ya,
JS

Same here - My 3/03 build has the stumble from the factory. Don't know what ver is on it. Probably 32.x or 33.x. I do not have the cold start problem. Have maybe just a hint of the yoyo, and do have the "falling stumble/surge" as the rpm's drop through 1900 as you coast down with the clutch engaged. Have a hint of the lag shifting from 1-2 and 2-3 also.
Does anyone know when 34.x or 33.3 will be available to try?

Wes

I'm fresh from the dealership. My MCS with 16,500 miles overheated last week, so while they had it in for service they performed the dreaded software update to correct the cold start problem that had returned a few weeks ago (the tech actually did it without the knowledge of the service manager, who hasn't been using the software because he knows it's a problem). Afer they did the update, my car developed the first-gear hiccups. I was told this morning that there really isn't anything they can do to correct the hiccups or the cold start until the latest update arrives, which they anticipate to be any day. I know that sounds like the runaround, but these guys are good and very proactive.

So to answer your question, the update is expected within the next few days.

I spoke with the service department at my nearest dealer, and they told me not to bother with the current update (33.2?), as it might cause more trouble than it fixes. All things considered, when I hear about surges, lack of power, cold start problems, etc., I am now pretty happy that I seem to have only the first-gear stutter when accelerating, and the surge when decelerating. I can't figure out why they didn't know that 32 would cause lot of these problems?

RickB's issues are exactly my issues, and i am actually getting quite used to both after 1400 mi. if they figure out a sure fix, great, but in the mean time, i don't plan any experimental software upgrades.

Maybe some hope!
I talked to my service rep Kevin Pace at Global (Atlanta). He had acknowledged my problem previously and agreed that they had found the problem on a few MCS. He told me today that they are sending a tech to a special training Friday 5/30/03 to learn a procedure to fix the problem. He described the fix as involving adding a diode into the electrical harness near the connector that looks like two 35mm film canisters mating. This is found forward and below the ECU cage sort of in the well the driver side headlight sits in when the hood is closed. There will also be a computer upgrade or change made. I am scheduled for this Frankenstein operation Monday.
I will try to get more information Monday. Kevin was frank and honest. I queried him as much as the situation allowed without being overly rude. He did not volunteer any information - but answered all my questions knowledgably and I believe honestly. I think they believe they have a fix, and I am thrilled if they do.
Obviously I will give a complete report Monday night or Tuesday as to the results. If I do not report back in - the secretary may disavow any knowledge of the action. ;)
I truly am hopeful and excited and appreciate my dealer taking this seriously, and it seems Mini also taking it seriously.

Wes
PS - mine is an Indy Blue w/White MCS 3/03 build - all options but sunroof, Nav and radar.

Great news, Wes. Thanks for the update.

See ya,
JS

Put my S in to have the hiccup and yoyo addressed today. The service center told me they couldn't/won't diagnose the problem as I have a pulley upgrade. Even though they acknowledge the problems where there before and after the upgrade.... CRAP ... I hate BMW and all their phone calls for service report surveys.... Just fix the freekin car

Wesport ~ Eagerly awaiting your Mini Operation results. :)

You don't want to know - The dealer "could not re-produce the problem" and therefore did not perform the fix. They did not tell me this until I picked the car up and it was to late to address. I am going back tomorrow - Wednesday and take everyone relevant for a test drive. I have NO problem producing the problem by attempting to maintain about 2100-2200rpm during a start. Needless to say, I am frustrated, and was withholding comment until I give them one more chance.

Wes

They can't fix the problem. Fact is every S in the USA has the hiccups and yoyo. There are about 8,000 out there.

It's a software issue. Do you think a company like BMW/Mini wouldn't have fixed it by now if they could. As someone else said - these people make formula one engines. People on here have had these problems ("characteristics" as Mini USA would like to describe them) ever since the car arrived on our shores. We are the only ones discerning enough to notice and Mini USA have been leading you on ever since that the next version software will fix it.

There is no fix for the yoyo or they would have made it by now. It's all about the software, hardware and the EPA.

Disc 32 fixed the yo yo, and caused the hiccup, in my car.