I just completed my first 1200 miles and I'm averaging 26mpg/US gallon. It's a good figure and I'm kinda satisfied but the $5/gallon gas here completely kills the fun part.
I though the 6-spd Countryman Cooper S is rated 25/31 or 27 combined (USA mpg). It sounds like you are applying the "drive it like you stole it" motto!
I understand that we are never going to get the figures the Manufacturers figures but my past experience of many other vehicles is that the percentage away from these on a Countryman is far higher than it should be. Sounds like every one is around 33% off published numbers. Sorry but I dont feel that this acceptable. The gap is too great.
Particularly as these numbers are used to make expensive buying decisions.
Certainly had I known just how poor the SD's actual fuel economy was I wouldnt have bought one.
Certainly the VCA are concerned at the difference. If you are, write to Tim Winter at the VCA.
I had my Cooper D in for service last week, and just received a customer care feedback survey from them. In the section for general comments on the car, I had a moan about the consumption, and have asked for specific feedback about the real life consumption percentage difference from published figures. I'm eagerly awaiting their reply!
I don't think the Canucks or Yanks have this problem. Every report I've seen on fuel economy from north american car mags or tv productions are within specs or very close. I've heard this complaint many times from our Euro friends, and I agree, I would be p'd off too if I was only getting 33% of published figures. Americans never really cared about fuel economy before, and Canadians too to some degree, and thats why when we see a car like the Mini do 0-60 in 6-7 seconds, but still get 27 mpg combined, we crap our pants and say "awesome fuel efficiency"!
Let's hope they recalculate their efficiency tests over their because I do think it is a crime what they are doing.
Nearly 2 years of ownership has not improved the overall fuel consumption.
28mpg around town has been the norm for my Cooper S ALL4 Auto.
35mpg on long trips is the best that I have had. I have tried using premium (rather than regular) fuel to see if there is any improvement, but results have been inconclusive.
The difference would seem to be consumer protection laws in the USA
Lets look at the MINI published numbers in both Countrys
First number is the published mpg in miles per US gallons, in brackets are these converted to mpg in Imperial gallons. Third are the claimed mpg in the UK in imperial gallons.
These numbers are for the Countryman Cooper S (petrol) as the diesel is not sold in the US. Highway equates to extra urban, City is urban and combined is the same.
2 wheel drive.
Highway 32mpg (38.4 imp) UK 52.3
City 26mpg (31.2 imp) UK 37.7
Combined 29mpg (34.8 imp) UK 46.3
All four
Highway 31mpg (37.2 imp) UK 48.7
City 25mpg (30.0 imp) UK 34.4
Combined 28mpg (33.6 imp) UK 42.2
Yes there is a difference in the cars, US are quoted as being 181 hp and UK as being 184 hp. Which would not seem to be enough for the huge difference.
So it really does look as though Mini are forced to be honest in the USA due to consumer protection laws But perhpas not so honest in the UK?
From what I've read on here owners seem to be getting actual consumption similar to the US figures.......
on another forum, someone from the UK posted that the published mileage numbers in the EU were compiled by an EU agency and that the manufaturers had to use those numbers and only those numbers, even if they know they are crap
if that is true, don't blame bmw/mini, blame your government ninnies for having unrealistic testing procedures
here in the US, our EPA government agency changed the test a couple years ago so the published numbers more closely match real world numbers
scott
2012 CM S All4 (03/12) | Abs Black w/White Roof/Mirrors/18" White Wheels | Cold Pkg | Sport Pkg | Xenon w/ Black Housings| Manual | Sport Susp| Anth Headliner | Flat Load Floor | Bluetooth | 2 Part Center Rail | Milltek downpipe back exhaust
Not true, the manufacturers do their own tests with little oversight. The certification agencies can view the tests but I understand they rarely do this.
Well just to add to everyones figures I own the 2.0DS All 4 Auto. Now if I'd known the auto knocks so much off the MPG I wouldn't have bought it however I fell in love with the car when i saw it .
Anyway I get 42mpg driving carefully mostly motorway driving with cruise control on around 73 mph.
I also have the DTUK CRD-T fitted which claims 10-20% better mpg........... or 0% in my case !!!!!
I teach people to drive in my all4 cooperD 1.6 and get 40mpg, which is ok. Some points to note though.
All new cars fuel economy is erratic for the first few thousand miles until its "loosened" up.
But once it has...
Do not depress the clutch or engage neutral when you take your foot off the accelerator until it is necessary and block change to lower gears once the car has reduced speed. All these engines have a fuel cut off system where the fuel is cut when you release the accelerator. Forward momentum is used to keep the engine running. Once you push the clutch pedal (or the revs drop below a predetermined level eg.1000rpm) it reintroduces fuel to keep the engine running.
Harsh accelerating in low gears wastes fuel as not all of it is burn't so it's actually more efficient to go from say 30-60 in 3rd and block change to 6th.
Good forward planning to maintain a more constant speed and reduce the stop starting (difficult to do in cities) also helps.
I have never known anybody to be able to achieve any manufacturers official figures for any car.
I have been having trouble with finding shell v power for the last couple of days anywhere around south east london and even a couple of stations in chelsea and kensington. They say the juice wont be replenished until after new year. Sorry, chaps, I think I have used it all up on my mcs all4
You have now. I used to get better than VW's figures on my Golf Mk6 2.0 SE.
I'm so hacked off with being unable to get better than 75% of my Countryman's figures that I wrote to my MP. He wrote to BMW on my behalf, but they basically fobbed him off. He has now recommended that I take this up with the OFT, which I have done, and am awaiting their response.
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
Fuel Consuption update 
2012 CM S All4 (03/12) | Abs Black w/White Roof/Mirrors/18" White Wheels | Cold Pkg | Sport Pkg | Xenon w/ Black Housings| Manual | Sport Susp| Anth Headliner | Flat Load Floor | Bluetooth | 2 Part Center Rail | Milltek downpipe back exhaust 
.
