[UKminiowner]

Hello,

I have a new mini cooper. Its about 2 1/2 months old now with about 2200 miles but I am a little disappointed with the performance. I have noticed that most car can outrun me, even little 1.3 Ford KA. I was wondering if anyone else felt that the performance was poor, or whether there is a problem with my Mini.
Also since I have had it, it has cut out briefly when pulling away…. When pulling away engine seems to die for a brief second and pick up again, but its enough to notice and make you worried that it will not pick up and you will be hit by an oncoming car.

Is this problem just with my car, or is this normal?

[Martin L]

Welcome to MINI2
Do you have DCS or ASC+T????? This will cut the power if you are over enthusiastic off the line which really hinders progress as it takes most of the power away until traction is regained
Besides that the Cooper doesn't have that much get up and go below 4000rpm. You do need to work the engine to get the best out of it.

You might have a tuning problem though as you should easily beat a majority of everyday cars... I'd go to your dealer if you are that worried

[ALD0]

Hello ukMINIowner, I have had my Coop for 3 weeks now and think it's a great performer, and have not been outrun by a K.A.

I totally agree with you on the jumpy starts, its the same type of cut out when the Traction cuts in, but this happens in dry weather even when the traction isn't on, There are other posts about the cutting out, but not sure whether it can be cured?

[UKminiowner]

I do have ASC, but its doesn't seem like that is the problem..

On the performance side, it seems very very slow at pulling in say 4th gear at about 30/35mph...

I wounder if there is a tuning problem.. can there be with all this electronic chip control?

[mad brummie]

The cooper in 4th at that speed isn't pulling many rpms so it will be slow, use 3rd instead.

[Martin L]

You're expecting it to pull in 4th at 30-35mph
That is a 3rd gear speed. Revs must only be about 2200-2400rpm at that speed and frankly a Cooper can't pull skin off custard at those low revs

[mad brummie]

I don't have any issues with my Coopers speed especially at 3500-4000 plus. It is tricky to get them off the line smoothly tho.

[mad brummie]

Martin 3rd is pulling those rpm's at 30-35 so 4th will be much lower.

[MarkW19]

Just learn which gears to use for what speed and what revs, and you'll soon find it's a good performance car and quicker than most cars you'll come into contact with. Couple that with the handling, sharpness and sure-footedness and you've got a killer car

[UKminiowner]

OK, so you are saying rev the nuts off it?

[UKminiowner]

Can the tuning be wrong? Or is this all controlled but the chips?

[MarkW19]

You have to drive enthusiastically with a Cooper and "drive" it to get performance out of it. You've probably noticed that from about 4k it really pics up and keeps picking up and up, so therefore if you want the power there, match the correct gear to the speed so you get it at 4-7k, don't be afraid to rev it, that's the sorta car it is, and it feels so good at those rev ranges - it wants to be driven hard!! Don't frustrate it!

[SteveBrass]

Couldn't agree more. Don't get bogged down with low revs in the wrong gear - keep the revs up and change down if you need to.

I find that 4000+ rpm in 2nd or 3rd and I can leave most other cars standing.

[Minty]

just dont be shy with the revs, and keep the speed throught the bends

just be safe!

[HarryHBMCC]

The Cooper's engine must be kept at a boil for good performance. 4th for 30-35MPH? That's OK for cruising but not for accelating. Heck, 1st gear isn't quite at redline at 35MPH! For best acceleration, do please rev the nuts off it. 1st to at least 30MPH, 2nd to at least 60MPH, 3rd to 90MPH, 4th to 120... you see where I'm going. Unlike a lot of other cars which fall off when the revs get high, the Cooper really takes off above 4000RPMs and flies above 5000.

Rule of thumb for Cooper: downshift two gears from cruising gear to pass so if you're doing 60MPH in 5th and want to pass, downshift into 3rd. If you're doing 35MPH in 4th, downshift to 2nd and so on.

Harry

[MarkW19]

I agree with downshifting two gears to pass.

Staying in same gear, assuming the revs are there, will allow you to gradually build up speed.

Shifting down one gear will give you a little bit extra, but for back-in-your-seat acceleration, downshift twice and you won't be dissapointed The power is there, you just need to know whereabouts it is :-)

[punkeyfunky]

Quote:

Originally posted by UKminiowner
Hello,

I have a new mini cooper. Its about 2 1/2 months old now with about 2200 miles but I am a little disappointed with the performance. I have noticed that most car can outrun me, even little 1.3 Ford KA. I was wondering if anyone else felt that the performance was poor, or whether there is a problem with my Mini.
[snip]

0-3999rpm = cruising, shopping, parking etc
4000rpm or more = fun zone.

Seriously, you gotta wring the knackers off the engine, and once you get it spinning, *keep* it spinning. It helps if you've ever owned a two stroke motorcycle... you'll know what I mean

It'll be hard at first - you'll feel bad for revving your new motor so hard; but you'll soon get used to it (promise!)

I always leave my MC to run for a bit after a good hard thrashing - keep the oil circulating. It's a habit I got into driving turbo cars (e.g. my Supra), and dies hard.


Alternatively, install lead into your right boot

Have fun,

Lee

[Bonjour]

Quote:

Originally posted by UKminiowner
I do have ASC, but its doesn't seem like that is the problem..

On the performance side, it seems very very slow at pulling in say 4th gear at about 30/35mph...

I wounder if there is a tuning problem.. can there be with all this electronic chip control?

4th at 30-35??? If you're expecting pace, then 30-35 is 2nd gear territory. I usually take 2nd up to at least 30.

[ipartridge]

Quote:

Originally posted by HarryIndiBlue
Rule of thumb for Cooper: downshift two gears from cruising gear to pass so if you're doing 60MPH in 5th and want to pass, downshift into 3rd. If you're doing 35MPH in 4th, downshift to 2nd and so on.

Harry

True. I hadnt thought about it like that but yes, 2 shifts works a treat, and with the high red line you have to ignore your instincts about revs and engine noise learnt from lesser cars. Also it has a rev limiter set slightly above the 'red line' which will stop you going too far. You can actually keep your foot hard on the floor at say 7250 revs and the limiter will stop you going any faster to protect the engine/gearbox. A strange feeling but if you try it in 1st and 2nd a couple of times you will get used to the noise and also learn that its practically impossible to hurt the engine (just be careful about changing up from 1st at 7250 as the syncromesh can catch and you will hear a slight graunching, just back off a bit)

[stellablade]

Yes, I find 2nd to be great for overtaking. I have a fair bit of fast quiet roads nearby, most of the traffic on them include tractors and buses. Knocking it down to 2nd from 30 mph produces a great burst of speed. Neck to the headrest type accelaeration! You just need to be careful to apply enough revs when going down to 2nd to allow a smooth change.

I love the Cooper's performance, it just takes some getting used to. I love the way it has a split personality; nippy under 3.5k and great acceleration above that.

Quote:

Originally posted by HarryIndiBlue


Rule of thumb for Cooper: downshift two gears from cruising gear to pass so if you're doing 60MPH in 5th and want to pass, downshift into 3rd. If you're doing 35MPH in 4th, downshift to 2nd and so on.

Harry