Cooper S automatic convertible mpg??

[gbsugarplum]

Hi there,

Apologies if I'm doing this wrong, I'm new on here.

We've just bought a second hand 2005 mini cooper s automatic convertible 35K miles and I have been driving it to work through London mostly for around an hour twice daily for about 3 weeks and also on longer motorway trips every now and then.

I have been getting about 23mpg average and I'm pretty concerned this isn't normal, I thought the mpg should be much better. When we bought it, the mpg was at 28 and had been driven on motorways mostly.

Am I doing something wrong? Should I get it looked at? I am trying to accelerate as slowly as possible and not pull off fast in case this makes a difference.

Any help would be really appreciated.

[Caveman]

What is the average MPH showing on your on-board computer?

If you're doing only stop and go city driving, your mileage sounds about right.

[gbsugarplum]

Thanks Caveman, I'll check the average miles per hour and post but I think it'll be pretty low.

Not sure why but I assumed the mpg would be much better for some reason. Is there anything I can do to increase it? I've heard about a sports button but I'm not sure my car has this button? Would this make a difference?

I thought it would get higher mpg

[Caveman]

You'll probably find you're averaging below 20 MPH.

The Sports Button is only available on 2nd Gen models and yours is a 1st Gen.

[gbsugarplum]

Ah I see, this is how clueless I am!

I think I do average less than 20mph, and I go over alot of speed bumps and i wonder if this isn't good either.

Thanks for all your help.

[TonyFoy]

You do have Sports Mode. When in D pull gear lever towards you. The Speedo will say SD. You can then shift using paddles or forward and back on gear lever to change down or up. Be aware once you change gear in SD the box will be in manual shift mode. Pop gear level away from you to get back in D.

The manual will explain further.

MPG around 23 is about right for city driving. 33 on motorway if you stick to speed limit is what I used to get.

[rozminiblack]

I use to have an auto 'S' and it loved fuel, it was like a V8 , went like one to, but the fuel consumtion was very high.

[MINIman1187]

Quote: Originally Posted by gbsugarplum (original)

Thanks Caveman, I'll check the average miles per hour and post but I think it'll be pretty low.

Not sure why but I assumed the mpg would be much better for some reason. Is there anything I can do to increase it? I've heard about a sports button but I'm not sure my car has this button? Would this make a difference?

I thought it would get higher mpg

Yeah, 23 sounds about right. I do a lot of mixed driving (highway and city) and I average about 23 on my MCSa. I have 108,xxx on the clock. Really the only way to increase it is to grandma it around, but even that doesn't do much. Just enjoy your little sport car and keep your head up at the pumps! Oh, and the 2005-06 MCSa's do have a sport drive setting. It's not a button like on the 2007+, but when you move the shifter over to the +/- M and don't shift manually, the car will be in sport drive (SD) setting.

[MrLoz]

My cooper S auto all 4 countryman is averaging about 34 mpg with average fuel computer speed of 30 mph. It is a larger heavier car than the cooper s convertible.

[Caveman]

Quote: Originally Posted by MrLoz (original)

My cooper S auto all 4 countryman is averaging about 34 mpg with average fuel computer speed of 30 mph. It is a larger heavier car than the cooper s convertible.

And it has a completely different engine