Hey yall.. Just got my production # today and I'm over-anxiously (obviously) reading over the owner's manual of the Cooper S CM. Under the 'Starting the Engine' it says "Do not let the engine warm up at a standstill. Move off immediately at a moderate speed." I know in older cars the general rule was to let the car warm up a couple of minutes before driving, but newer cars don't necessarily require this warmup period. Thoughts on the immediately go?[FONT=MINITypeRegular-Regular][SIZE=1][FONT=MINITypeRegular-Regular][SIZE=1]
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Idle warm up periods not generally required for modern engines. Also consideration for fuel consumption and environment.

 

Yeah.... And also because mechanical parts such as the gearbox don't warmup stating still...
With my TT i just wait for the rpm to go at normal range (it takes usually 20-30 sec depending on the outside temperature) and then i drive... Never un 2500-3000rpm until the water and oil temperature is about 80-90°

 

There's a reason why they call it the owner's manual.

 

When it's cold here in Northern Ohio, like today, I always let my '09 Clubby idle for at least 30 seconds, up to a minute depending how cold it is, before I slowly start moving. You want the oil to pump up to the upper cylinder head and over the camshafts. I know the transmission doesn't warm up when you do this but that is why you drive it nice and easy for the first few minutes...get that thick gear oil warm and washing over inner trans gears.
It's amazing how many people just jump in the ice cold car and just drive off...bad things can happen inside an ice cold engine. I don't care how good todays synthetic oil is, and what the environmental impact is, at $25 grand I am taking good care of that expensive engine. Have a blast with your new MINI!