[AprilWhine]

Top speed is the same for both transmissions, I believe, but the acceleration drops to around 11.3 for 0 to 60.

[aoh]

Quote:

Originally posted by AprilWhine
...but the acceleration drops to around 11.3 for 0 to 60.

WOW ! That's a whole 2s slower. Didn't think the difference would be that great. The Coopers that BMW bring into Malaysia are all CVT only, so I don't have a choice. But I drive around town most of the time so I guess I'll probably appreciate the convenience in the long run.

[mininow]

Quote:

Originally posted by AprilWhine
Top speed is the same for both transmissions, I believe, but the acceleration drops to around 11.3 for 0 to 60.

Don't believe everything you read as there is no way it is 11.3 secs. I would say about 9.5 at worse case.

[Sejanus]

Quote:

Originally posted by mininow


Don't believe everything you read as there is no way it is 11.3 secs. I would say about 9.5 at worse case.

Also I assume that figure is based on using the Cooper in regular CVT mode? I suspect it is faster in either sports mode or tiptronic.

[Electrc109]

0-60 is 8.5 seconds according to Edmunds.com

[AprilWhine]

And remember, they are talking about the manual transmission, not the CVT:

Quote:

Powering the Mini is a 1.6-liter inline four-cylinder engine making 115 horsepower and 110 pound-feet of torque. No, this isn't some fire breather; rather, it's a quiet, refined powerplant providing smooth, efficient delivery with no obvious deficiencies in the rev band. Its spritely actuation belies its meager numbers, as it was able to move the Cooper from a standstill to 60 mph in 8.7 seconds, while crossing the quarter-mile line in 16.8 seconds at 81.3 mph. These numbers are comparable to cars with four-cylinder engines that make 20 more horses. Curiously, this engine requires premium fuel; however, its EPA-estimated mileage is an impressive 28/37 for city/highway driving. The short, precise throws of the five-speed manual gearbox were universally praised, but on our test model, what we surmised to be a busted second-gear synchro caused a graunching noise in all but the slowest of shifts. Quite disconcerting, given the fact that the car had 62 miles on the odometer when we received it.

[mininow]

Quote:

Originally posted by AprilWhine
And remember, they are talking about the manual transmission, not the CVT:

So what's your point? That they could only get 0-60 on a Cooper that a) has a busted 2nd gear synchro and b) has only 67 miles and not even broken in.

I just tried it with my CVT last night and am coming in under 9 secs 0-60 using the steptronic.

[majorfracas]

Quote:

Originally posted by Electrc109
If I want to accelerate off the line really fast, I'll start in 1st 'gear' and tap the shifter to D mode and back to SD after I have accelerated through 1st. I am not sure if it is any faster, but it seems like it, and its kinda fun!

If you really want to take off fast, put it in first and leave it there. The engine will go to red line (about 6000 on mine) and automatically shift for you right up through the gears as long as you are accelerating. It feels quicker to me than in SD.

[majorfracas]

Quote:

Originally posted by RedBackFur
I find that using the tiptronic feature sort of silly....fun to demo to friends, but without a clutch pedal, can't really figure the use.

However, I use sport mode on the winding roads, and for engine breaking in bad traffic.

I find that the tiptronic/steptronic/manual mode is better for engine braking than the Sport/SD mode.

I particularly like to take 90 degree turns (like at intersections, assuming a green light ) with the manual mode. As I approach the turn, I down-shift as I'm braking.
As I start to turn in I keep the revs above 3000, hit the gas 'bout midway through the turn, and rocket out of the turn. Great fun!

[MiniWinnie]

hey all, this info is great, thanks for posting it.

However, I have stupid questions that maybe you can help with. I am confused by the differences between sport mode and steptronic mode, I didn't even know steptronic existed before I started browsing these forums. I know it simulates gears, but thats all I know. I've read the FAQs and my user manual, but I'm still confused. Can you tell me exactly how to switch into steptronic mode rather than sport mode? Maybe I'm actually in step mode without knowing it, I read that the gears show up on the speedometer, but I have a nav system in the center of the dahs where the speedometer usually goes, so my speedometer is a lot smaller and is mounted on the steering column.

I also was forced to buy a CVT due to the wife's refusal to drive a manual (hey, you gotta lose the battle to win the war ) and I'd love to get more enjoyment out of it.

Thanks in advance for not calling me an idiot.

[MiniWinnie]

*an hour later*

OK, I've gone out and played around with it a bit, and I can't believe I never noticed it but the gears do indeed show up on the small speedometer. Dummy me, I had simply been putting it in sport mode and not shifting it up or down. No wonder I wasnt impressed. Duh, I hate it when I'm stupid *smacks self in head*

Anyway, I'm finding the gears a bit jerky to use. They sure add kick, but I think my timing is off using them, because the car is lurching a lot. Is it just a matter of getting used to them, or is there some other patently obvious thing that my dummy-ass isn't figuring out?

[MikesMINICoop]

According to the BMW MINI division (through the OWNERS LOUNGE), the 5500 rpm mark on the tachometer is a CAUTION YELLOW LINE and the REDLINE IS @ 6500 rpms. The engine is programmed to shut down @ 6750 rpms.
Why does the CVT model indicate this caution mark and not the manuel? Perhaps the CVT cannot handle the full rpms put out by the engine as routinely as the manual. Only an idea. Does anyone know the answer? Also why have a caution "yellow line" indicated in red? Only MINI knows.
Mike MOTOR ON!!!!

[mininow]

Sport mode is a different transmission selection that keeps your engine revving higher where the powerband is.

Steptonic mode is kind of like a clutchless manual transmission. You shift the transmission by flicking the shifter up for downshifting and down for upshifting. To go into steptronic slide the shifter over to the right and then just tap the shifter down or up. To go back to regular mode, just push the shifter back to the left. You can do this anytime, whether at a stop or moving.

Have fun.

[Sejanus]

Quote:

Originally posted by MikesMINICoop
According to the BMW MINI division (through the OWNERS LOUNGE), the 5500 rpm mark on the tachometer is a CAUTION YELLOW LINE and the REDLINE IS @ 6500 rpms. The engine is programmed to shut down @ 6750 rpms.

Thanks for the info. I thought the redline seemed set rather low.

[aoh]

Quote:

Originally posted by mininow


I just tried it with my CVT last night and am coming in under 9 secs 0-60 using the steptronic.

All this info is making me feel better about getting a CVT Cooper. Can't wait to try out all these "go-faster" techniques. Keep the tips & tricks coming...

[Sejanus]

Quote:

Originally posted by aoh


All this info is making me feel better about getting a CVT Cooper. Can't wait to try out all these "go-faster" techniques. Keep the tips & tricks coming...

Definitely! The more I use it the more I like it.

[Electrc109]

Quote:

Originally posted by majorfracas


If you really want to take off fast, put it in first and leave it there. The engine will go to red line (about 6000 on mine) and automatically shift for you right up through the gears as long as you are accelerating. It feels quicker to me than in SD.

I just found this out over the weekend! Theoretically I would think that the sport mode would be faster since it keeps the RPMs at a range where there is more power (rather than having to rev up to where there is more power).

I have used the first 'gear' in steptronic just to give my MINI a gearing advantage off the line (ironically, after having put on more miles, I do not think there really is a difference)

It SEEMS to me that just accelerating in sport mode plain and simple is the most efficient. Maybe one of these days I'll go to a drag strip and figure out all the gory details...

[Sejanus]

Quote:

Originally posted by Electrc109

Theoretically I would think that the sport mode would be faster since it keeps the RPMs at a range where there is more power (rather than having to rev up to where there is more power).

It all does seem a bit counterintuitive to me, but for example if you are cruising along in sports mode and switch to steptronic you'll get a surge of power. Now shouldn't the "gear" you switch to be set at the same ratio (so to speak) as the sports mode? I originally thought the switch to steptronic would just give you greater flexibility by allowing you to shift up and down. It does that, but the steptronic "gears" also seem to deliver more power.

[Johnson]

I would think the surge in power moving from Sport to Steptronic would be expected if you downshift (push gear selector forward) as opposed to upshifting (pulling the gear selector back). Is that what you experience?

[Sejanus]

Quote:

Originally posted by Johnson
I would think the surge in power moving from Sport to Steptronic would be expected if you downshift (push gear selector forward) as opposed to upshifting (pulling the gear selector back). Is that what you experience?

Good point. Stupid of me really, but somehow I was thinking that the first time you moved the gear shift foward from sports mode you were simply engaging the steptronic mode not changing gears, but of course, you are absolutely right you are changing gears!