[Electrc109]

I have noticed that this new version idles at 2k RPM when cold, acceleration is smoother when at full throttle (gradual increase in RPM rather than a jump in RPM at approx. 20mph), when you let off the gas after going full throttle, the RPMs gradually decrease.

What have you found to be different with v.36?

[nonsequitur]

Thanks to Electrc109 for starting our documentation of this new flash for the CVT. There has been enough anticipation and reporting of actual improvement to make me believe it is as important as the update to (32.1 or 33.2 I forget which one now) that gave us a new MINI.

If it eliminates yo-yo at low speed, this one is huge.

[Electrc109]

I haven't had a yo-yo problem in awhile cos I figured out how to avoid it. its kinda hard to explain, but i basically move the accelerator very gradually when at low speeds.

[prs]

Does v36 affect gas mileage?

[Electrc109]

I think v.36 has improved my gas mileage. I haven't been dilligent enough with mpnitoring my MPG to know for sure.

[nonsequitur]

Install performed today, and it is tidy and smoother than 33.2.

Tach redline indicated at 6,000rpm, not 5,500rpm as before.

Steady timed 60mph (63mph indicated) has 3,300rpm in SD, 2,400rpm in D.
Reverse is strictly limited to 4,000rpm; so is Neutral and Park.

Characteristics like "shifting" in D and SD when floored are unchanged.

Upshifts in Steptronic (1-2, 2-3, etc) seem to be smoother than before (this may be just me looking for improvement?) and these upshifts happen with a little tach overrun at 6,100rpm indicated compared to exactly 6,000rpm in 33.2.

Steptronic downshifts (6-5, 5-4, etc) are smoother but this is almost unimportant for most people. Didn't check the downshift rpm for each "gear" but I would expect each to be unchanged: 6-5 (2000rpm), 5-4 (1800rpm), 4-3 (1600rpm), 3-2 (1400rpm), and the full stop default is still "2", so "1" must be manually selected.

It feels like Pull-away (Launch) has a slight pause in it as rpm builds.

I expect different gas mileage, and it will be interesting to observe behavior in transitions (heavy throttle pedal modulation) like a slalom course.

These first impressions are so unreliable since this download just happened today, but at least we're adding to the conversation!

They gave me a 2004 (I think) MINI Cooper CVT to drive, with 16x6.5" wheels (w/ runflats), Sports Suspension, the new 2-spoke MSW with the interior thumb bump (so when did the 3-spoke wheel cut in?), Auto AC, cloth Sport Seats w/ seat warmers (Ya!), no rear fogs, CD#36.0 software, darker interior trim. Nice ride as comparison (I still like our SS+ with 15x5.5 wheels for the street).

[nonsequitur]

Do you detect a slight pause or slower response when first starting from stop in D?

I've also got a small "jump" when starting out that seems to be more gearbox than software. It's feels like the push-belt is being positioned down onto the lowest ratio as the throttle pedal is depressed compared to already being in that position in 33.2?

I don't have many miles yet, so these impressions may not be valid. CD#36.0 is not a "new MINI" set of changes for the CVT like it was when we got the earlier major software update. Overall, I'd now say "smoother" and the "yo-yo is gone."

[valnmike]

Nonseq, I think the pause you describe is something I've always had with our 2/14/03 build CVT. It's like you have to anticipate when to step on the gas to time your pull out into traffic. That was one of the annoying things to acclimate to when it was new.

Then as the car starts to move it hesitates. This occurs just before 2,000 rpm. Then it seems to leap into acceleration mode. Does this describe your experience?

[nonsequitur]

Quote: Originally Posted by valnmike

Nonseq, I think the pause you describe is something I've always had with our 2/14/03 build CVT.

I want to be very careful that I'm seeing something real versus perception. What you describe is what it feels like to me, and it seems to be a change for us after version 36.0. As you know from these threads, I've had a very good experience with our MINI.

We are currently driving with Dunlop SP Winter Sport M2 directional snow tires on wet streets. Narrower, stiffer sidewalls, very different tread compound ... and different driving dynamics than either the Falken or Continental tires we've been driving.

More seat time!

[JANKSRT]

i think dunlop tires are junk!!! i have had heard nothing but bad things about them. i want to buy a mini but hopefully it will be with goodyears rft. i wish they came with michelin
tires!!!!!!!! the version 36 seems to be working great at our center for mini coopers
no negative feedback from my customers!

[nonsequitur]

Quote: Originally Posted by JANKSRT

i think dunlop tires are junk!!!

O. K.

Thanks for the confirmation on CD#36.0 working well. That's what I've heard too.

[ar75]

Dear all, Strange enough. The dealer here in HK claims that version 36 is only applicable to manual MC but not CVT. I'll check it out.

[Electrc109]

Quote: Originally Posted by nonsequitur

O. K.

Thanks for the confirmation on CD#36.0 working well. That's what I've heard too.

I love Dunlop. They make awesome motorcycle tires! =)

[nonsequitur]

valnmike, I'm going to say "yes" after driving for several days now. There is a difference compared to Version 33.2 as you initiate throttle, and I don't like this new hesitation better than the older one. The other characteristics appear to be smoothed out. One other observation would be in Drive; I think it is smoother and less brisk than 33.2. If this is true and not just some hyper-sensitive perception, then the acceleration times should be measured slower. It would be interesting to go back on the dyno now.

JANKSRT, I like your enthusiasm after speaking with you. We tend to like researched opinion here in these threads, so if you take shots please explain Why.

Electrc109, What I've really discovered about tires this past year --- is that I don't know anything about tires anymore! The technology and compounding have progressed so dramatically in the last three years or so that all the old concepts just seem invalid.

You can now buy a tire to do a specific job extraordinarily well, and it will wear longer, grip more tenaciously, and look better than any of the old stuff. I also like Dunlop because of some magic days as a kid at Road America in the 60s ... but that's another thread!

[JANKSRT]

Nonsequitur,
The reason why I think dunlop tires are not good is because they wear very fast with the mini,
the tires cup a whole lot and they tend to get chewed up around the edge of the tire. The mini is a
great car and these tires I think just don't work for them, but that is just my opinion. Sorry I didn't explain myself, I was just simply giving a shout out...but oh well.

Version 36: works very well, I haven't had any problems with it and all my customers have given me positive feedback, I really can't see other people complaining about this version, because it performs so well!!!!
JANKSRT

[Electrc109]

I have one complaint about v. 36....I still can't do a burnout! =)


FYI traction and treadlife are virtually polar opposites when dealing with tires. Dunlop tires stick really good, yet have a tendency to wear fast. the chunking you speak of is most likely due to the fact that the tire is a soft compound, the air pressure is not at its optimum level and the driver is making the tires work really hard.

I believe tirerack.com has an extensive explanation of the differences in tires.....

[valnmike]

Version 36 does not sould like much if any improvement over the s/w I have now (2/14/03 build CVT). My SA has been keeping me posted on when they expect to have it, but now I wonder if it would be worth it. It will "increase" the redline indicator but if that's all it will do for me... Hmmmmm?

[nonsequitur]

I'm going to step out with an opinion: CD#36.0 offers subtle change, unlike 32.1 and 33.2 which seemed to give us a new CVT-equipped car after the software was loaded, but it gives important driveability improvements and overall 36.0 just plain works better.

This is ALL just opinion, so shoot at it please.

Differentiator: Tachometer redline reads 6000rpm versus 5500rpm in previous versions.

Pull-away: The actual initiation of vehicle movement from a stop may be slightly slower now than it was under previous versions. Throttle pedal still needs to be "anticipated" into the right position for a smart getaway.

Drive: The biggest changes are here. "D" is clearly the "normal" selection; everything is slightly more calm than it was, and there is a bigger difference between D and SD than before. SD and Steptronic are the performance selections.

An objective indication is rpm during acceleration. Holding the throttle pedal at the resistance point (ZF calls this "CVT-mode") brings the motor up to about 4000rpm and holds it there. This position would rev higher under version 33.2 -- a change.

A function which the BMW training manual says holds back, retards, the application of full power until the car reaches about 50mph (I'm calling it "Smooth to 50"), in Drive only, seems more definite in this new version 36.0. The lower 4000rpm may confirm that this function is really operating.

Flooring the throttle in Drive produces a more lively response, with revs to 6000rpm. I'm saying that the difference between CVT-mode and floored (ZF calls this "AT-mode", the shifting Automatic Transmission behavior) is greater under 36.0 than in 33.2.

SportDrive: Unchanged? Performance to speed seems very similar to the earlier versions, except the tachometer is reading out correctly what the computer is doing with the motor and transmission. The visual redline matches the computer redline (Thank You, MINI!) which just makes sense to me.

A big one, but it is so subtle that you may not even notice, is applying small additional throttle while driving along. Speeding up, as an example. In the earlier versions, the computer calculated and issued processing commands that you could feel take place. Now it just happens. Throttle is more progressive, more linear with the driver expectation, much more subtle. Normal driving is less segmented, the car does what you'd expect it to do. I hope this doesn't sound dumb; but there's a difference of some kind here.

Overdrive mileage (cruising in D) may be improved based on some initial freeway runs. A surprise; I expected lower mileage.

This may change some of the objective testing and subtly alter the driving techniques we've discussed previously.

[KRIZT]

May I ask that how to find out what verson is my CVT's transmission.
It build in October 2003, perhaps you guys have enough information to tell me. Thank you.

[nonsequitur]

I don't believe any changes have been made in the gearbox itself. The gearbox is built by ZF Getreibe, called an "ecoTronic VT1F Continuously Variable Transmission" (CVT).

The software loaded to your car can be verified with your dealer. There was talk that some information can be drawn out of the computer onto the tach display, but I don't think that software version is one of those items (I may be wrong).