Response delay to full throttle...

[Jeffy]

Is it possible to get more immediate reaction when full throttle is applied? In multi-lane traffic, or even a standing start take off across traffic, there is too much delay in down-shifting, or starting off after flooring the pedal. I have been trying to anticipate the down shift into the powerband, but by the time I can change lanes, I've had to slow too much, and am playing catch up, or end up too slow in front of another fast moving car behind me. I figure that a more aggressive program would deliver what I'm looking for. Is it available? -Jeffy.

[Spookyfish]

Quote: Originally Posted by Jeffy

Is it possible to get more immediate reaction when full throttle is applied? In multi-lane traffic, or even a standing start take off across traffic, there is too much delay in down-shifting, or starting off after flooring the pedal. I have been trying to anticipate the down shift into the powerband, but by the time I can change lanes, I've had to slow too much, and am playing catch up, or end up too slow in front of another fast moving car behind me. I figure that a more aggressive program would deliver what I'm looking for. Is it available? -Jeffy.

I suppose you are already in SD? Tried flooring/kickdown?
You can also use other software (chip) that changes shifting behaviour. I am using such a thing and very happy with it.

[minimem]

After testing the CVT at the dealership and compared to the driving the Sa, I'm really agonizing over purchasing a base CVT. The delay/lag is measured in seconds, not milli-seconds. Sure the S has more hp but it's not so much the hp as it is the CVT vs the Sa's normal automatic trans. You punch the throttle on a Sa and the transmission immediately engages and takes off as any normal a/t would, but the CVT, either from a standing start or already going (as the original poster said) is just brutal as it slooooowly lumbers ahead as it takes many seconds for it to reach speed and rpms to get the car moving. I tried coaxing it many ways, full throttle down to catch, full throttle down to floor. This CVT just wants to take it's sweet time. That's fine for a leisurely stroll, but if you ever need your Mini to move and fast, you just can't do it.

If any CVT owners know how to get their CVT to feel like more of a std transmission off the line, please tell me. I'd rather not have to spend another $4k for the Sa and sitting in bay area traffic 2 hrs a day in a manual trans is not an option.

As a side question, anyone know if it's possible to add aftermarket paddles to a CVT or is that a factory option ONLY?

[Spookyfish]

Quote: Originally Posted by minimem

If any CVT owners know how to get their CVT to feel like more of a std transmission off the line, please tell me. I'd rather not have to spend another $4k for the Sa and sitting in bay area traffic 2 hrs a day in a manual trans is not an option.

As a side question, anyone know if it's possible to add aftermarket paddles to a CVT or is that a factory option ONLY?

First, the CVT will loosen up quite a bit. Then there is the option of software. One brand changes the shifting behaviour in D and makes the car jump off the line a bit quicker. But a CVT (with 115hp and a clutch) will never jump off the line as quick as a 170hp with torque converter.

Last but not least, I have yet to loose a traffic light sprint.

[Rally_it]

You can definitely get rid of it. I have intake, exhaust, ECU (special mod done to the CVT to increase the rev speed of the tranny) and right when i put my foot on it in SD im flyin at 5-6k RPM

[Jeffy]

I live in the U.S., and drive in the big city at times, where the quicker you can respond, the better your chances of not getting killed by somebody in a vehicle 3 times as big as a Cooper. In fact, the lag time in the CVT is so long, that whatever software mod is offered by after-market should be incorporated as standard equipment on U.S. cars with CVT! Here, we mostly buy automatic transmissions because of heavy traffic, and we expect instant response when we floor the loud pedal-especially in a sport-minded car like a MINI Cooper. By the way, has anyone ever figured out what the fluid is in the CVT? Is it more like engine oil, or automatic transmission fluid? -Jeffy.

[Tüls]

Quote: Originally Posted by Rally_it

You can definitely get rid of it. I have intake, exhaust, ECU (special mod done to the CVT to increase the rev speed of the tranny) and right when i put my foot on it in SD im flyin at 5-6k RPM

could you give some more info on this...or PM me so that I may take advantage of this...MLE my lady friend has a CVT and I have been trying to figure out how to solve this very problem...as there has been a few times she has almost been taken out by the typical non looking SUV drivers...and if she didn't have the delay she would be much safer

[jazmini]

Tulls,

Rally is talking about the ECU software, and it works wonders for the CVT. The CVT has it's own software and the engine also has it's software (as I heard that on this site). The two don't work that well together (they're ok though). The ECU software that Rally has was specifically programmed for the CVT MINI, so improves both the CVT software and the engine software. However, MINI2 won't allow the mention of that software supplier's name on the website. That software supplier also makes their software for other MINI variants too.

On my last visit to the dealer (6 months ago), I had them add the latest ECU version (to satisfy the recall for emissions) and it worked much better was was actually what I call fairly quick off the line. However, after just several weeks, it did not take and resorted back to the old software (as happens to so many MINI owners), so now car jerks quite a bit again and lost that extra bit of quickness off the line. Oh well. I don't understand it, but think the problem is trying to integrate the two softwares together (i.e., engine and CVT). It's still a fun car. I'll get the dealer to re-enter the software on my next visit.

[Jeffy]

I'm not a software programmer, but I've never had to re-program an American made performance upgrade software product. That there is so much changing and reverting with these MINI's just baffles me. I wish more MINI's were sold in the U.S. (well, gas prices are getting pretty high, so...) so that a Californian shop would take it on. They will sell a product that always works, and for a third the price! I think I need to pose some questions to BMW, as answers are hard to come by. I refuse to give up on the CVT, as it's a sound idea, just needing some imperfections ironed out. -Jeffy.

[bffnnn]

The throttle delay bugs me also. From a stop, you might try downshifting to 1, then on go, rev up to 5500 RPM, then rapidly shift to drive and back to sport mode. The car will jump as you switch back into sport mode.