Aright, so I finally got my 06' MCS on 4/13 and I really like it a lot. The pro's REALLY outweigh the cons so I'm not like "I want another car" or "I regret this car!" no.. nothing like that. But I've noticed a few things.

First - The DSC is WAY too sensitive. I'm still in my break-in period so I'm not so much talking about on take-off. But I'll come into a corner, throw it into second with a Heel-Toe and it kicks in. I'm not skidding or understeering at all, it just slows me down a lot.

Second - Maybe it's just me... maybe I'm just too gentle with the car. But I never seem to close the boot or bonnet well enough on the first try. I always end up getting in the car and having to get out and do it again after seeing the little light pop up.

Third - Everytime I shift gears at lower speeds 1-2 2-3 3-4, I heard a strange clicking/popping noise from the rear. I thought it was something loose, but now I am thinking it's the exhaust. (Not mechanical but actually the exhaust sound.)

Okay.. now the amusingly good points.

First - The car handles like no other. I have yet to find it's limits and sometimes in the back of my mind I actually contimplate leaving it stock. But.. yeah.. no.

Second - Even for not being able to go past 4,000RPM... it's quick. I can barely imagine how it's gonna feel after the break-in.

Third - The radio supports MP3's... woo hoo.

Fourth - It gets attention.

Fifth - It's not a Civic.

Sixth - It's surprisingly roomy inside.

I can go on... really.

 

Amusingly good points...

Awesome! I can't wait to get mine!

 

In reference to your third con, that is the exhaust popping noise and stick shift MINIs are designed that way. This was enhanced to burble more with the '05 and '06 models. The best way to close the bonnet is to put your hand in (on) the scoop intake area and give it a solid shove down. Yes, the DSC seems intrusive at times and can be turned off - hope you have the LSD.

 

Third - Everytime I shift gears at lower speeds 1-2 2-3 3-4, I heard a strange clicking/popping noise from the rear. I thought it was something loose, but now I am thinking it's the exhaust. (Not mechanical but actually the exhaust sound.)

as my dad told me, the car "poots" it is normal--it actually sounds a little like a race car when this happens--i think it sounds cool--little guy is trying to sound big and tough

i have the same problem with the boot and the bonnet---not a bad thing at all---i think it has to do with the air pistons that bring it up and down with ease--

i have the DCS. but not sure what you mean. i do find that my car hesistates if i am coming out of turn in a low gear--almost like it isnt' getting any gas, but once it kicks in i take off like someone lit a fire under Viv's ***.

 

This thread only makes me more excited. Freakin' A, I can't wait til I get mine...

 

^agreed!

 

^Make that another!

 

No offense, as I cannot heel-toe downshift well myself, but I'm pretty sure
A) that the DSC cutting in when you heel - toe shift is a sign you're doing it wrong

and B) you should get the shift done before the turn

 

by far the zippiest, attention getting, responsive car i have ever owned or driven---

one warning--if you are shy and don't like to talk to strangers, don't get the cooper---people like to come up and look in it and want to hear about it.

i actually had someone wait for me when i came out of a store just so they could ask me about it---kinda freaky, but at the same time, pretty cool.

 

First - I agree
Second - It takes getting used to, but soon you'll be closing boots and bonnets like no other.
Third - that's the venerable burble that you hear. Isn't it great?

 

is from the traction control. FWIW, a lot of the remaps rework it so that it's much more livable. My MTH tune makes it so I can keep my foot in it, and it doesn't feel like the motor was taken out and shot in the head!

Matt

 

Turn it off! Use it in wet or snowy weather conditions. Also, launches improve greatly with the DSC off...

You'll get used to how to properly close those. You are in the new owner's period of adjustment.

MINI reprogrammed the exhaust to create that great burble! It's a beautiful thing!

And welcome to NAM! Happy motoring in your new MINI!

 

Regarding DSC, many of us old-timers habitually turn it off (unless the weather is uncooperative) as we prefer not having it intrude into our "fun".

Yes, the MCS is an addiction. Glad to see you're already hooked.

 

"Third - Everytime I shift gears at lower speeds 1-2 2-3 3-4, I heard a strange clicking/popping noise from the rear. I thought it was something loose, but now I am thinking it's the exhaust. (Not mechanical but actually the exhaust sound.)"

That is normal. It is the exhaust making popping sounds.

 

With carbs, and engine braking, you hear all kinds of spits and burbles. My mustang used to sound like people were firing shotguns! Then I went to Magnaflows, and now it's just wicked!

With the glass-packs, the exhaust would set off car alarms...

Matt

 

1. Your tires probably are not worn in enough to get sticky yet. If you have the Pirelli tires, by experience, Pirellis are definitely not at their best when cold. Hence your DSC is kicking in. Go a bit more gently for the time being, or as others have mentioned, temporarily turn it off.

2. When I picked up my car, the salesman reminded me that I cannot close my hood down hard enough. There are two latches on either side so they both have to be slammed down rather hard. I'm not abusive, but I make sure I slam the bonnet down pretty hard from at least a foot up, standing in front of the car, one hand above each headlight.

3. Others have already pointed out the exhaust burble. It also intimidates all other cars around. Pretty cool.

If that's all you have to complain about, welcome to MINI ownership.

 

The shifting is done before the turn initiates, I don't trail brake. The point I was making is that it's not my wheels breaking loose because of the shift. It doesn't kick in when I'm normally going into second, but only when coming out of a turn in second it'll bog me down.

I've been driving track cars for a long time for the company I race with.

 

Yeah, I have a 1969 Nova that makes all sortsa wonderful noises. I like the burble of the exhaust quite a bit. I was just sayin it threw me off for a while there.. I was like.. man, I broke it already?! That usually comes down the line.

I don't mind leaving the DSC on. It's a nice reminder for the moment to treat my car right. It's nice to have it there.. but it's just WAY too sensitive. I know the acceleration is a lot better without it on... but I'm just trying to keep it mellow for the Break-In Period.

Matt, you know who I am by the way... or at least you should.

 

DSC (or rather the traction control part of it) only kicks in when it senses wheel spin. Remember, a spinning tire is not going to give much traction. I can get the tires to just barely start to spin and hold it without the traction control kicking in. Just takes a little practice.

 

Sorry. I misinterpereted your original post. Carry on.

 

I've said it before, but I'll say it again - I can't believe that even after this car has been on the market for 4-5 years, it still gets as much attention as it does. That's awesome!

 

The rear hatch is kind of a pain--that's about the only thing I'd change.

I agree with you on the DSC--wait until you try to launch during the winter on ice, then the fun really begins--it'll almost bring the car to a complete stop. I wish the DSC could be programmed to work only at higher speeds...If I had it to do over again, I'd probably just get the LSD only (I've got both the DSC and LSD). At least you can turn the DSC off, and the full row of toggle switches is a plus.

The engine noise (pops and burbles) are wonderful--it'll get more noticeable after the car's broken in--I love revving it up, then letting the revs fall in 2nd or 3rd to get those pops--I'm sure I'm doing wonders for my gas mileage, but that sound is so addicting!

You've also got the whine of the supercharger to look forward to; but you're not going to be able to maximize that until you can floor it.
The torque maximizes between roughly 4000 and 6000 RPMs, so the best is yet to come!

 

I have this same problem with my brand new MCS!! I've had two previous MINIs and my parents have one as well.. so I'm definitely familiar with the opening/closing of a MINI (as if it were that difficult ) but when installing my aero kit, the bonnet would not close properly! We kind of had to slam it shut. Every single time I close to boot I end up having to open it and try again. The stupid thing never closes!

 

lol.. "Killed in His Prime" sorry to hear.

My MCS is pretty stripped down of any glam. But it's in full effect functionally.

 

Welcome to MINI ownership! When I first got my first Cooper S back in 03 it seemed that the DSC kicked in wayyy too often, that was on the stock GoodYear runflats. As the car broke in and after the software was updated it seemed to be much less intrusive, the sticky Yokohamas might have helped too. It should get better, but as others have said temporarily turning it off won't hurt and will help to scrub those new tires in.