As suggested by the moderator, I am jumping in saying hello for the first time. I've owned my Mini for about 16 months and drive it every day. I was going for a Prius until I happened in to the Mini dealer and took a test ride. Sold on the spot and got the Chili Red one I wanted. Mine is equiped with the CVT transmission, But I think I should of gone with the manual. The CVT is kind of weird! Floor it at a signal and nothing happens for a split second, then off she goes. Nothing wrong with it, but I'm usually the last one away from a signal!!! My wife thinks it's funny as I'm being shut down by the old folks in their buick!

Be seeing you around

 

Welcome to NAM!

We're glad you decided to join the Motoring Nation. It was love at first drive for me as well.

I've never driven a CVT MINI, but would using the manual mode get you off the line any quicker? We can't have you getting spanked by old farts in Buicks!!!

 

welcome on-board

 

Welcome to NAM!!

 

I love it when that happens!!! Glad you're enjoying your MINI. Since you have a CVT, you might ask some of the other CVT owners here about it. They seem to love it! I drove a co-worker's CVT once and I thought it was great!!!

 

I'm getting my CVT this weekend, but I've read on Mini2 some methods to get the fastest acceleration. Basically, try "sport" mode and do not press the pedal past the "detent". There is anohter way for the best acceleration, but it sounds a bit tricky.

 

Hello & welcome to N.A.M.

 

I'll try that today! Problem seems to be that flooring it quickly seems to overwhelm the engine and it has to think about going. It's not a "stumble" or anything like that, it just seems that it goes when it wants too!! It's only a momentary delay, but maddening to an old agressive driver like me!! It's going in for it's 25K service Friday, I'll try talk to a mechanic about this. Thanks for the warm welcome from everybody. LL

 

Don't floor it with a CVT. Not only does that cause a short delay, but you will quickly bump the rev limiter which acts almost like you momentarily turned off the ignition (not good for quick acceleration!). Instead push it to the detent and try to keep it at about 5500 RPM, avoiding the 6000 RPM rev limiter. You do not get the sensation of acceleration with the jerks of shifting up through the gears, it is more like the acceleration of an airplane when taking off. It is pretty amazing how quickly the speedometer will reach speeds that are illegal in most places. The sport mode does seem to yield much quicker aceleration. You can also simulate the feel of a conventional transmission using the manual shift mode, but again you need to avoid bumping the rev limiter. 6000 RPM comes up very quickly in the lower ranges.
Have fun.

 

I have the same problem with my CVT, but unlike you, I HATE IT!!! lol

 

Haskindmh, Thanks for the advice, I will try it. I never realized there was a detent, my heavy foot goes right by it!! Earlier today I did try an easier take off, but didn't go to the detent position. I did notice there was no delay using that method. So, "old folks in Buicks" look out, from now on it will be sport gear selection, to the detent and 5500 rpm!

 

OK...plagarized from the MIMI2 thread on how to drive the CVT for the quickest acceleration:

1. Car is standing still, engine idle. Transmission in SD. (SPORT Mode)
2. Left foot on the brake, right foot above the accellerator,
3. Decide when you want to go (countdown, traffic light, green flag, whatever)
4. Just before you go you floor the throttle (this doesn't work with traffic lights, but does work with countdowns or merging in dense traffic)
5. Release the brake with your left foot and floor the throttle with your right foot at the same time (if you didn't already do so at number 4.
6. The car will zoom off and RPM's will increase towards 6000rpm.
7. Knowing that the car will shift into '2nd' at 6000rpm we release the kickdown switch just before we hit 6000rpm and maintain WOT. The exact point takes practice: as late as possible but before the shiftpoint. If you keep your foot down too long, the car will shift, that is: cut back and start at ~ 5000rpm.
8. If you got it right: the car will not shift but hold 5500rpm while steadily accelerating.

P.S.
- Floor = pedal to the metal, kickdown, all the way down
- WOT = wide open throttle, but no kickdown, just shy of the so called detend.

Very good reading....
http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthrea...=25028&page=16

 

Paul, Thanks for the details. I will be trying that move out shortly. Will you be able to cover the cost of traffic fines for me if this method works?!! In the meantime, look out Buicks!!! Larry