[Sejanus]

SD mode and/or using the steptronic are also quite useful passing in a hurry. D is for cruising along and saving a bit of fuel.

[ar75]

acc,

Actually, I seldom use the manual because I find the fuel consumption is worse in manual mode and it' is dangerous to keep an eye on the gear dispaly on the clock.

[yukclee]

Most of the time I use D. For overtake or engine braking, I will use SD, which is quite powerful as the rev. will go up to about 4000rpm when shifted from D. And if you really want more, use the +/- to shift down after switching from D to SD, this will bring the rev to 6000rpm plus and the car just take off like hell. But do try this before the car run in.
Don't think the CVT is that poor. It's just you have to keep it up to 5000rpm all the time, which quite often you won't do as the fuel consumption is so bad.
Currently I am doing about $1.2 per km, quite stable.
YCLee

[ar75]

YC,

Welcom back.

"But do try this before the car run in." It should be "DON'T", man.

acc,

For your information, a CVT onwer, named as Initial M by Uncle Pong, chased after MCS in bumper to bumper condition with his all stock MC CVT in a night drive in March 2003. You may explore the potential of the CVT later on. BTW, drive safely.

[acc]

ar75, that's great to hear. hopefully I can squeeze as much power out of the CVT as uncle pong.

[ar75]

acc,

Sorry to confuse you. Uncle Pong, a MCS owner, is a forum member here and he named the CVT owner mentioned above as "Initial M" or "Fastest Cooper in Town". You may search the username "Uncle Pong" and take a look at his gallery.

[acc]

ar75 - my mistake, i read it too quickly. whatever, i hope i can handle the CVT as well as Initial M.

[yukclee]

ar75,
Oh, what a mistake!! Yes, I mean "DON'T try it before the car is well run in". It is very demanding on the CVT when you try it. Many months back I tried the +/- shifting somewhere in Shatin and keep it at around 6000 rpm all the time for some winding roads. It is thrilling!
YCLee

[wils]

sports mode is where the fun begins!

[nonsequitur]

We paid for some careful pulls on a dynometer session in July in an attempt to "reverse-engineer" some understanding of how the CVT performs its work. The output was very interesting.

Best accelleration was in SD (throttle not floored, just at the kickdown detent), then Steptronic (same throttle position), then D.

We've done fuel economy threads here on MINI2, finding that the best mileage is in D as expected (but it MAY be even better with cruise control due to the CVT and EMS2000 computer?), then Steptronic, then SD.

The MINI is very capable in the twisties measured against other MINI models (as mentioned in posts above) and against other cars. We just completed an autocross day (in the CVT) with low times besting Mazdas, Subarus, Audis, BMWs, ... with much more torque, tires, and brakes, but just not as nimble.

I've refered to our Cooper CVT as "driving software" because it is all so heavily managed through the computer (throttle, transmission, brakes, ...). But, this processing power and systems control produces a unique machine, nearly bulletproof for driving on the track, and very, very adaptable for road driving situations like the commute, relaxing drives, sporting runs, autocross, track days, ...

MINI should badge the Cooper CVT to distinquish it in some way.

I love this car!

[yukclee]

John, our very respectable pioneer in the CVT, finds out so much on how we can make the best of the MC/CVT. All CVT owners should go through the related threads in the forum or you will miss the hidden power of the car by just driving in D mode all the time.
CVT is fun in that it is a very gentle machine if you drive in D mode. But if you switch to SD along with the +/-, it's a different machine.
Now if we can figure out the way to improve the very sluggish performance of the first 5 meters from zero, then it will be perfect.

YCLee

[nonsequitur]

Starting out. From a post in Driving Technique: Throttle (gas pedal) position is a major input to the computer to set "Target Speed" for the acceleration which is supposed to follow. The Kickdown Detent (switch) in the electronic throttle (gas pedal again) also has a huge effect. Holding the pedal just before the kickdown detent, after you start rolling forward, is the fastest acceleration. It's the same in D or SD. If you do it this way, engine rpm comes up to the computer-chosen point where torque and horsepower are optimized to get you up to speed quickly and smoothly. The rpm doesn't jump around much, it's "held steady" and the transmission does all the adjustment and work (I call it CVT behavior!).

This is different than Launch (0mph to moving forward). We haven't figured out the optimal launch techniques, partly because there is a separate program in the transmission called something like "Fast-off" or "Pull-away" or "Low" (I don't know the correct ZF term yet) that regulates actually getting underway from a stop using the oil-bath clutches for Forward and Reverse. I suspect that the best Launch-from-stop will come by left-foot brake, feed in throttle (depress gas pedal with your right foot) to at least 2000rpm (for sure above 1600rpm), and then "release" the brake. Same technique for D and SD and Steptronic I'll bet.

[Sejanus]

The technique posted in the other thread by someone of switching to sports mode and then downshifting to first before taking off from a dead stop has worked quite well for me. You take off fairly well and then quickly accelerate by going up through 2nd and 3rd.

[woodyhk]

Just took posession of my Mini today. It's a 2002, silver with black top, CVT and only 7,900km on the clock. Great condition. My other car is a MX5, so I'm used to great handling. To be honest, I don't like automatic transmissions at all...and it will take time for me to get used to the Mini's CVT. Hope to get to know other Mini owners in HK. Want to know about getting computer software upgrades and what issues might exist for HK Mini owners.

Hope you all have a great Autumn Moon Festival.
Woody

[cliffywong]

Quote: Originally Posted by woodyhk

To be honest, I don't like automatic transmissions at all...and it will take time for me to get used to the Mini's CVT. Woody

Welcome ! just curious why did you buy a CVT ?

[woodyhk]

Good question!! Actually, I've wanted a Mini and find it difficult to delay gratification. A good deal on a year-old Mini came my way...equipped with the CVT and I decided to give it a try. It's the first automatic I've owned in about 25 years! So, it will take some getting used to, but I love the car itself, so I think I'll make it!

[ar75]

Hope that you can get what you want the most, Cheers.

[hermanszeto]

Do u mind telling me the price for this 2002 CVT MC?

[woodyhk]

Hmmm...how about you tell me what you think a 2002 CVT Mini with only 7,800km on the clock...MD player with 6 Disk CD Changer...run flat tires...in absolutely new condition would be worth here in HK? Or, send me a note privately.

[acc]

personally i wouldn't pay more than HK$150k. Most used minis I've come across are asking for around $180k which is ridiculous cos paying a little more will get you a brand new one.

Of course, saving the waiting time could be an argument for paying a premium - I've just ordered a CVT myself, but won't get the car until December. But I still would rather get a new one unless it's a really good deal cos I can choose my own colours and options.