[AlanC]

My MCS is now 2.5 years old and despite three software upgrades, it still has the dreaded yo-yo. I'm now on CD40 (as of March this year), which i really did think had solved it but sadly, as usual, the next few hundred miles proved me wrong.

It may be less bad than it used to be and I have learnt a driving style that largely avoids it but it's still there and is still seriously detracting from my enjoyment of this otherwise wonderful little car.

So, I have two questions:

1. Is anyone else still suffering from this problem, or have you all managed to cure it fully - and if so how?

2. Do recently manufactured MCSs ever have the yo-yo?

Despite this I'm seriously considering ordering a second MCS, this time with the JCW kit, but I want to be sure I won't have this annoying problem a second time.

BTW: I test drove a JCW MCS today from my local dealer. Wonderful - and no yo-yo!

Alan

[Profpatpending]

have you never heard of VGS no more yo-yo

[AlanC]

Quote: Originally Posted by Profpatpending

have you never heard of VGS no more yo-yo

I confess I hadn't heard of VGS but following your reply here I searched for it and found a whole thread on the subject. I was of course aware of the Ryephiles and his phixes but VGS seems a more recent variant that I hadn't spotted as I've been spending less time in these forums this in the last few months.

Interesting though it certainly is, I'm was really hoping for confirmation that BMW have fixed it properly, either for existing cars like mine or at least for cars coming off the production line now.

Anyway, thanks for drawing my attention to VGS.

Alan

[AlanC]

Quote: Originally Posted by Max

If you fancy joining us, here we are, just book in here:

http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34881

Our next Run meet is this Saturday

Thanks for the invite Max - it sounds fun though I'm not sure when I'd be able to find the time. I'll keep it mind though. I'm near Basingstoke, like several of your other participants, I see.

Thanks for your thoughts on yo-yo...

Alan

[kerfuffle]

I just bought an MCS (I posted a thread in another area) but have never heard of the dreaded yo-yo before. What on earth is it?

[Rebel]

I have a 1.5 year old MCS and despite various software upgrades the dreaded yo-yo has always returned. Unfortunately the car is a company leased car and I have to wait another 1.5 years before I can finally get rid of it. This is the only car I have ever wanted to ditch before having for 3 years. Today the clutch gave up, great.

[AlanC]

Quote: Originally Posted by Rebel

I have a 1.5 year old MCS and despite various software upgrades the dreaded yo-yo has always returned. Unfortunately the car is a company leased car and I have to wait another 1.5 years before I can finally get rid of it. This is the only car I have ever wanted to ditch before having for 3 years. Today the clutch gave up, great.

I'm really sorry to hear that you're so dissatisfied. Despite the yo-yo, which really bugs me at times, I still love my mini - it's easily the most enjoyable drivers car I've ever had (and between my wife and me, we've had some good ones (Golf GTi Ml 1 and 2, MX-5 1.8 Mk1 and 2, 205GTI and 106GTI).

If it's any help, try my tips for minimising yo-yo:

1. If you haven't done so, get your dealer to update your ECU software - later levels (CD38 onwards) were better and have cured it almost completely for some people.

2. Drive as smoothly as you can - be especially careful to match engine revs accurately as you let the clutch in when changing gear and try to move the accelerator pedal smoothly rather than in jerks - particulaly when switching between acceleration and deceleration.

3. Always use super unleaded petrol - Shell Optimax if possible (it's a higher octane rating than other super unleaded petrol). I definitely feel the car runs better with it and although I haven't checked this, others have claimed that fuel consumption improves enough to offset the higher price.

Have fun - if you can!

Alan

[kerfuffle]

Will someone please tell me what yo-yoing is

Is it something that can be prevented under warranty?

[AlanC]

Quote: Originally Posted by kerfuffle

Will someone please tell me what yo-yoing is

Is it something that can be prevented under warranty?

It's a oscillating fluctuation in the power delivery in certain situations, usually around 3000rpm under brisk but not flat-out acceleration. When it happens, it only lasts for a few seconds but it's quite annoying. For the me, the most typical situation it happens in is on bend: I slow down on the approach, then re-apply the power to take the bend under gentle acceleration, but unless I re-apply the power very smoothly, I get this slightly lurching acceleration for a few moments.

If you search on these forums for "yo-yo" you'll find loads of hits. A particularly good discussion is here: http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthrea...ighlight=yo-yo. If you've got nothing better to do and like reading, the "Yo-yo Chonicles" on northamericanmotoring.com makes fascinating reading here: http://www.northamericanmotoring.com...ad.php?t=20115.

For a long time BMW denied there was a problem, then last year they came out with an alleged fix in the form of a software upgrade (CD38). It cured it for some but not for others. It's pretty clear (especially from the "Yo-yo chronicles") that there's a hardware aspect to the problem too, which they don't seem to have admitted or fixed.

The good news is that if you don't know what it is, you almost certainly haven't got it!

Alan

[pabs911]

Never had it and I hope I never do.