MINI2

chin · Apr 10th, 2003, 10:17 AM

Hi guys, i have recently bought a mini cooper, and i find that it is under powered. At 90 mph it just does not seem to accelerate, and when it does it barely reaches 112 mph. I have taken it to BMW, they did a diagnostic check and they said everything is fine but it's NOT!! Does anyone feel the same? and is there anyway to know if my mini is fine? Thanks.

cooper4us · Apr 10th, 2003, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by chin
Hi guys, i have recently bought a mini cooper, and i find that it is under powered. At 90 mph it just does not seem to accelerate, and when it does it barely reaches 112 mph. I have taken it to BMW, they did a diagnostic check and they said everything is fine but it's NOT!! Does anyone feel the same? and is there anyway to know if my mini is fine? Thanks.

Ahem....dude, let me ask you a couple of questions 'Point blank'. Did you test drive the regular Cooper model before buying it??

What were your performance expectations when you picked the 'Base' model with the normally aspirated 115HP engine??

I find the performance of the regular Cooper engine to be excellent above 3,500 RPM and AT LEGAL AND SAFE SPEED LIMITS.

Unless you race in a professional track, I don't see how can you complaint about the car "barely reaching 112MPH"?

I hope you are not doing these speed tests in public roads!!

Maybe the Cooper 'S' model would have been more to your liking or perhaps a totally different car with a bigger displacement engine and higher performance pretensions.

Please clarify.

msenkbeil · Apr 10th, 2003, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cooper4us
Ahem....dude, let me ask you a couple of questions 'Point blank'. Did you test drive the regular Cooper model before buying it??

What were your performance expectations when you picked the 'Base' model with the normally aspirated 115HP engine??

...

I hope you are not doing these speed tests in public roads!!

Maybe the Cooper 'S' model would have been more to your liking or perhaps a totally different car with a bigger displacement engine and higher performance pretensions.

Please clarify.

I'm with cooper4us... if this post is for real, chin, I'm glad you're not driving on US roads. If you're racing your Cooper on a track, you should check out all the aftermarket kits to boost its power. Search the Performance and Tuning forum for info.

mikkol · Apr 10th, 2003, 02:35 PM

Yeah with a 1.6L engine w/o any mods/turbo and such, I find it quite impressive that it goes > 100mph smoothly and still feels like it's accelerating!

My old Integra could hardly pass 100mph even it has 140hp and a 1.8L engine!

DeekosRSV · Apr 10th, 2003, 05:30 PM

Can i just say i too find the Cooper a 'bit flat' Its a nippy car but its never going to be quick (but i love it)
The handling makes up for lack of grunt.
Can i also say that (some of) you guys over the pond seem soooo scared of speed. I went to the US once and my mates dad got REALLY excited coz he 90mph for all of 3 seconds!! ON A 4-5 lane freeway?
I own a 1000cc motorbike and regularly do 130mph+ whenever i'm out (country roads NOT build up areas)
What do you get for speeding?? Death penalty?? Fine?? Points???

Rant over - cheers.

(no offence to anyone intended btw.)

KenL · Apr 10th, 2003, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DeekosRSV

I own a 1000cc motorbike and regularly do 130mph+ whenever i'm out (country roads NOT build up areas)

Sorry, but I hope I am never on the same country road with you coming in the opposite direction. Country roads do have other vehicles on them and surely you are putting other people at risk.

How quickly would you be able to stop? Do you think you could pull up safely in an emergency situation from that speed?

No wonder so many people on bikes are killed, crashing at that speed would no doubt not leave you with not much chance of survival.

Rant over - no offence meant of course.

Prowse · Apr 10th, 2003, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by KenL
No wonder so many people on bikes are killed, crashing at that speed would no doubt not leave you with not much chance of survival.

No chance of survival is a good thing, it removes people like this from the gene pool. It's just a shame that it puts other drivers/riders and their vehicles at risk.

If you like speed, go to a track.

Bonjour · Apr 10th, 2003, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Prowse
No chance of survival is a good thing, it removes people like this from the gene pool...

www.darwinawards.com

chin · Apr 10th, 2003, 09:15 PM

My point is that the cooper according to BMW has a top end speed of 124mph and i can barely just reach 112. In another thread i read the cooper does 110 easily but mine does not.

AidenL · Apr 10th, 2003, 09:21 PM

The speeds that are being talked about here should ONLY be done on a race track.......its just not safe on public roads!

Martin L · Apr 10th, 2003, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by chin
My point is that the cooper according to BMW has a top end speed of 124mph and i can barely just reach 112. In another thread i read the cooper does 110 easily but mine does not.

Are you trying it in fourth or fifth???
Also try a higher octaine fuel such as Shell Optimax

Weather conditions also play a role here, the cooler the temp the more power you should get out of the engine. Maybe you were going into a head wind too????

Let me add I don't appreciate people doing these ridiculous speeds on the roads either

Please don't be so selfish

chin · Apr 10th, 2003, 09:27 PM

In fifth gear but i can not get it past 112 even in fourth its not possible all i want to know is that has anyone got the same problem and is there a fix or is my mini fine

AidenL · Apr 10th, 2003, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 90IScruisingSpeed
I've had trouble pushing mine faster then 115 before, but I was on the M1 with another identical mini in front of me and he wasn't pulling away.

All these yanks harping on about how 100 is soooo dangerous are living on a different planet to us Brits. as my login says 90 is cruising speed. If the weather and traffic conditions allow there is no reason not to cruise at 90+ as modern cars can quite easily handle it. Obviously the driver needs to be switched on tho which I fear our Yank cousins are not.

Modern cars may be able to handle it, but it is nonetheless illegal, and the speeds which are being mentioned here are irresponsible on public roads.

Also, I don't think nationality has any influence on whether you are able and competent to drive at high speeds of not. A comment such as that made above is deeply insulting to Americans in general, and will not be tolerated in this forum.

I would appreciate if everyone could get back on topic please !

Thank you........

AidenL · Apr 10th, 2003, 10:01 PM

Modern cars may be able to handle high speeds, but it is nonetheless illegal, and the speeds which are being mentioned here are irresponsible on public roads.

Also, I don't think nationality has any influence on whether you are able and competent to drive at high speeds of not. A comment such as that made above is deeply insulting to Americans in general, and will not be tolerated in this forum.

I would appreciate if everyone could get back on topic please !

Thank you........

HarryHBMCC · Apr 10th, 2003, 10:02 PM

No offense to ONE owners but I wonder if you have the wrong programme as the ONE is limited to 112MPH while the Cooper goes up to 124MPH. At 90MPH my bone stock Cooper is still pulling very strong, that's for sure, in either 4th or 5th.

My Cooper easily reaches 110MPH, one might say too easily and drives so smoothly there that it is easy to reach on long country straights with no traffic around. I always run name brand fuel and have my tires well inflated.

What gas do you use?

What tires do you have? What pressure do you run? If they're flabby you'll have a LOT of rolling resistance at high speeds which will limit your top end. Note that manufacturer's recommendations are only for 100MPH so 30PSI is too low if you go faster (at least 32PSI for 110MPH, 34 for 124MPH).

Seriously, do you have a sunroof? Using it during these tests? If so, close it.

Is your car well broken in? How many miles on it?

Harry

chin · Apr 10th, 2003, 10:09 PM

I use BP unleaded 95 ron, and the tyres are running at 30 psi, no sunroof and the car has done 3000 miles

Paul · Apr 10th, 2003, 10:20 PM

Over confidence and the unexpected can make a lethal combination too.

This wasn't started as a "What is a safe speed..." type thread (god knows we've had many of those already), so lets please try to keep this on topic.

On the topic, I've never felt a MINI Cooper 'struggle' at those speeds, but it's certainly approaching it's maximum limits at that kind of speed, and definitely isn't at peak power, so I would expect it to feel 'sluggish' for want of a better word.

Bonjour · Apr 10th, 2003, 10:26 PM

In some cars isn't the top speed attained in 4th gear? I know this was the case in my mum's old car. It'd only get up to 129mph when in 4th, otherwise it'd only do around 115mph in 5th.

HarryHBMCC · Apr 10th, 2003, 10:26 PM

Definitely increase the tire pressure to 32-34 PSI and try some higher ron fuel if it is available in your area. I find my car has a better top end with more than the minimum recommended octane for my area. 3000 miles should have the car mostly broken in but mine was still revving more freely until about 6000 miles or more.

Still could be something else but those tips may help. Good luck.

Harry

chin · Apr 10th, 2003, 10:29 PM

Thanks Harry good tips

Apr 10th, 2003, 10:17 AM	#1
chin MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Apr 2003 Local Time: 10:49 PM Posts: 8 Offline	Underpowered Cooper Hi guys, i have recently bought a mini cooper, and i find that it is under powered. At 90 mph it just does not seem to accelerate, and when it does it barely reaches 112 mph. I have taken it to BMW, they did a diagnostic check and they said everything is fine but it's NOT!! Does anyone feel the same? and is there anyway to know if my mini is fine? Thanks. Last edited by chin : Apr 10th, 2003 at 10:32 AM.

Apr 10th, 2003, 12:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
cooper4us MINI2 Master Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Florida Local Time: 05:49 PM Posts: 1,423 Offline	Re: Underpowered Cooper Quote: Originally posted by chin Hi guys, i have recently bought a mini cooper, and i find that it is under powered. At 90 mph it just does not seem to accelerate, and when it does it barely reaches 112 mph. I have taken it to BMW, they did a diagnostic check and they said everything is fine but it's NOT!! Does anyone feel the same? and is there anyway to know if my mini is fine? Thanks. Ahem....dude, let me ask you a couple of questions 'Point blank'. Did you test drive the regular Cooper model before buying it?? What were your performance expectations when you picked the 'Base' model with the normally aspirated 115HP engine?? I find the performance of the regular Cooper engine to be excellent above 3,500 RPM and AT LEGAL AND SAFE SPEED LIMITS. Unless you race in a professional track, I don't see how can you complaint about the car "barely reaching 112MPH"? I hope you are not doing these speed tests in public roads!! Maybe the Cooper 'S' model would have been more to your liking or perhaps a totally different car with a bigger displacement engine and higher performance pretensions. Please clarify. '02 MINI Cooper CVT On Order: 2004 MCS (Est production date: 9/5/03)

Apr 10th, 2003, 12:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
msenkbeil MINI2 Regular Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Milwaukee, WI, USA Local Time: 04:49 PM Posts: 218 Offline	Re: Re: Underpowered Cooper Quote: Originally posted by cooper4us Ahem....dude, let me ask you a couple of questions 'Point blank'. Did you test drive the regular Cooper model before buying it?? What were your performance expectations when you picked the 'Base' model with the normally aspirated 115HP engine?? ... I hope you are not doing these speed tests in public roads!! Maybe the Cooper 'S' model would have been more to your liking or perhaps a totally different car with a bigger displacement engine and higher performance pretensions. Please clarify. I'm with cooper4us... if this post is for real, chin, I'm glad you're not driving on US roads. If you're racing your Cooper on a track, you should check out all the aftermarket kits to boost its power. Search the Performance and Tuning forum for info. 2003 Dark Silver / Black Cooper S Black Leatherette, Anthracite Trim, Premium / Sport / Cold Packages, HK Stereo, Auto Wipers / Mirror Visit My MINI Site

Apr 10th, 2003, 05:30 PM	#5 (permalink)
DeekosRSV MINI2 Regular Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Cramlington, Northumberland Local Time: 10:49 PM Posts: 118 Offline	Can i just say i too find the Cooper a 'bit flat' Its a nippy car but its never going to be quick (but i love it) The handling makes up for lack of grunt. Can i also say that (some of) you guys over the pond seem soooo scared of speed. I went to the US once and my mates dad got REALLY excited coz he 90mph for all of 3 seconds!! ON A 4-5 lane freeway? I own a 1000cc motorbike and regularly do 130mph+ whenever i'm out (country roads NOT build up areas) What do you get for speeding?? Death penalty?? Fine?? Points??? Rant over - cheers. (no offence to anyone intended btw.) BRG/W Cooper. Chilli, 17's, Harman/Kardon, Twin Laser system, K&N 57i

Apr 10th, 2003, 05:38 PM	#6 (permalink)
KenL MINI2 Master Join Date: May 2002 Location: Edinburgh Local Time: 11:49 PM Posts: 5,216 Offline	Quote: Originally posted by DeekosRSV I own a 1000cc motorbike and regularly do 130mph+ whenever i'm out (country roads NOT build up areas) Sorry, but I hope I am never on the same country road with you coming in the opposite direction. Country roads do have other vehicles on them and surely you are putting other people at risk. How quickly would you be able to stop? Do you think you could pull up safely in an emergency situation from that speed? No wonder so many people on bikes are killed, crashing at that speed would no doubt not leave you with not much chance of survival. Rant over - no offence meant of course. Red/Black R56 Cooper

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Apr 10th, 2003, 02:35 PM	#4 (permalink)
mikkol MINI2 Regular Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Vancouver, BC Local Time: 03:49 PM Posts: 202 Offline	Yeah with a 1.6L engine w/o any mods/turbo and such, I find it quite impressive that it goes > 100mph smoothly and still feels like it's accelerating! My old Integra could hardly pass 100mph even it has 140hp and a 1.8L engine!

Apr 10th, 2003, 07:09 PM	#7 (permalink)
Prowse MINI2 Master Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Lancs Local Time: 11:49 PM Posts: 1,533 Offline	Quote: Originally posted by KenL No wonder so many people on bikes are killed, crashing at that speed would no doubt not leave you with not much chance of survival. No chance of survival is a good thing, it removes people like this from the gene pool. It's just a shame that it puts other drivers/riders and their vehicles at risk. If you like speed, go to a track.

Apr 10th, 2003, 07:16 PM	#8 (permalink)
Bonjour der Hummermeister Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Stuck in a box Local Time: 11:49 PM Posts: 1,613 Offline	Quote: Originally posted by Prowse No chance of survival is a good thing, it removes people like this from the gene pool... www.darwinawards.com

Apr 10th, 2003, 09:15 PM	#9 (permalink)
chin MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Apr 2003 Local Time: 10:49 PM Posts: 8 Offline	My point is that the cooper according to BMW has a top end speed of 124mph and i can barely just reach 112. In another thread i read the cooper does 110 easily but mine does not.

Apr 10th, 2003, 09:21 PM	#10 (permalink)
AidenL Nice TTs......... Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: On The Coast........ Local Time: 11:49 PM Posts: 42,151 Offline	The speeds that are being talked about here should ONLY be done on a race track.......its just not safe on public roads! *Global Moderator* Last edited by AidenL : Apr 10th, 2003 at 09:34 PM.

Apr 10th, 2003, 09:25 PM	#11 (permalink)
Martin L MINI defector Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Harefield Local Time: 11:49 PM Posts: 13,602 Offline	Quote: Originally posted by chin My point is that the cooper according to BMW has a top end speed of 124mph and i can barely just reach 112. In another thread i read the cooper does 110 easily but mine does not. Are you trying it in fourth or fifth??? Also try a higher octaine fuel such as Shell Optimax Weather conditions also play a role here, the cooler the temp the more power you should get out of the engine. Maybe you were going into a head wind too???? Let me add I don't appreciate people doing these ridiculous speeds on the roads either Please don't be so selfish MINI, RX8 and MX5 - Done those............. It's now TTime Unofficial MINI2.com bean counter

Apr 10th, 2003, 09:27 PM	#12 (permalink)
chin MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Apr 2003 Local Time: 10:49 PM Posts: 8 Offline	In fifth gear but i can not get it past 112 even in fourth its not possible all i want to know is that has anyone got the same problem and is there a fix or is my mini fine

Apr 10th, 2003, 09:59 PM	#13 (permalink)
AidenL Nice TTs......... Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: On The Coast........ Local Time: 11:49 PM Posts: 42,151 Offline	Quote: Originally posted by 90IScruisingSpeed I've had trouble pushing mine faster then 115 before, but I was on the M1 with another identical mini in front of me and he wasn't pulling away. All these yanks harping on about how 100 is soooo dangerous are living on a different planet to us Brits. as my login says 90 is cruising speed. If the weather and traffic conditions allow there is no reason not to cruise at 90+ as modern cars can quite easily handle it. Obviously the driver needs to be switched on tho which I fear our Yank cousins are not. Modern cars may be able to handle it, but it is nonetheless illegal, and the speeds which are being mentioned here are irresponsible on public roads. Also, I don't think nationality has any influence on whether you are able and competent to drive at high speeds of not. A comment such as that made above is deeply insulting to Americans in general, and will not be tolerated in this forum. I would appreciate if everyone could get back on topic please ! Thank you........ *Global Moderator*

Apr 10th, 2003, 10:01 PM	#14 (permalink)
AidenL Nice TTs......... Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: On The Coast........ Local Time: 11:49 PM Posts: 42,151 Offline	Modern cars may be able to handle high speeds, but it is nonetheless illegal, and the speeds which are being mentioned here are irresponsible on public roads. Also, I don't think nationality has any influence on whether you are able and competent to drive at high speeds of not. A comment such as that made above is deeply insulting to Americans in general, and will not be tolerated in this forum. I would appreciate if everyone could get back on topic please ! Thank you........ *Global Moderator*

Apr 10th, 2003, 10:02 PM	#15 (permalink)
HarryHBMCC MINI2 Master Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Guelph, Ontario, Can Local Time: 05:49 PM Posts: 2,686 Offline	No offense to ONE owners but I wonder if you have the wrong programme as the ONE is limited to 112MPH while the Cooper goes up to 124MPH. At 90MPH my bone stock Cooper is still pulling very strong, that's for sure, in either 4th or 5th. My Cooper easily reaches 110MPH, one might say too easily and drives so smoothly there that it is easy to reach on long country straights with no traffic around. I always run name brand fuel and have my tires well inflated. What gas do you use? What tires do you have? What pressure do you run? If they're flabby you'll have a LOT of rolling resistance at high speeds which will limit your top end. Note that manufacturer's recommendations are only for 100MPH so 30PSI is too low if you go faster (at least 32PSI for 110MPH, 34 for 124MPH). Seriously, do you have a sunroof? Using it during these tests? If so, close it. Is your car well broken in? How many miles on it? Harry MINI Cooper Cabrio: now the car with go cart handling really feels like an open go cart! "... the only man that can come home at 3 am in the morning without getting into trouble with his spouse is the owner of a British sports car!" -- Phil Bailey

Apr 10th, 2003, 10:09 PM	#16 (permalink)
chin MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Apr 2003 Local Time: 10:49 PM Posts: 8 Offline	I use BP unleaded 95 ron, and the tyres are running at 30 psi, no sunroof and the car has done 3000 miles

Apr 10th, 2003, 10:20 PM	#17 (permalink)
Paul Trained Monkey My Classifieds Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Bedfordshire Local Time: 11:49 PM Posts: 40,873 Offline	Over confidence and the unexpected can make a lethal combination too. This wasn't started as a "What is a safe speed..." type thread (god knows we've had many of those already), so lets please try to keep this on topic. On the topic, I've never felt a MINI Cooper 'struggle' at those speeds, but it's certainly approaching it's maximum limits at that kind of speed, and definitely isn't at peak power, so I would expect it to feel 'sluggish' for want of a better word.

Apr 10th, 2003, 10:26 PM	#18 (permalink)
Bonjour der Hummermeister Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Stuck in a box Local Time: 11:49 PM Posts: 1,613 Offline	In some cars isn't the top speed attained in 4th gear? I know this was the case in my mum's old car. It'd only get up to 129mph when in 4th, otherwise it'd only do around 115mph in 5th.

Apr 10th, 2003, 10:26 PM	#19 (permalink)
HarryHBMCC MINI2 Master Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Guelph, Ontario, Can Local Time: 05:49 PM Posts: 2,686 Offline	Definitely increase the tire pressure to 32-34 PSI and try some higher ron fuel if it is available in your area. I find my car has a better top end with more than the minimum recommended octane for my area. 3000 miles should have the car mostly broken in but mine was still revving more freely until about 6000 miles or more. Still could be something else but those tips may help. Good luck. Harry MINI Cooper Cabrio: now the car with go cart handling really feels like an open go cart! "... the only man that can come home at 3 am in the morning without getting into trouble with his spouse is the owner of a British sports car!" -- Phil Bailey

Apr 10th, 2003, 10:29 PM	#20 (permalink)
chin MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Apr 2003 Local Time: 10:49 PM Posts: 8 Offline	Thanks Harry good tips

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