1st Gen Countryman (R60) Talk (2010-2015) R60 Countryman Discussions

R60 So I'm getting low MPG, is there anything wrong?

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Old Sep 21, 2013 | 05:35 PM
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So I'm getting low MPG, is there anything wrong?

So, I just bought my MINI for a random dealer here in SLC, UT and I noticed that it was only getting like 22-23 mpg when I was driving it after that. I took it down to the MINI dealership and they changed the oil and said that the oil that was put into was wrong. So, I drove it home from the MINI dealer and was getting 32 mpg and then a week after this, I'm currently getting back to the original low mpg. Any other reasons why it is low? I'm not an aggressive driver btw. It's a 2012 MINI CMsALL4 Automatic.
 
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Old Sep 22, 2013 | 04:27 AM
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Going on 37,000 miles and have never managed to do better that 25 mpg. On long trips maybe 26/27, around town back and fourth to work 23/24. Tried different fuels, with and without the sport button. A bit frustrating at times especially when reading posts of 28, or even low 30's.
 
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Old Sep 22, 2013 | 04:40 AM
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i have a '12 justa cm, mine says its getting 26mpg, but only getting aprox 250 miles per tank... usually less..
 
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Old Sep 22, 2013 | 06:04 AM
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I'm pushing 14K and averaged 28.7mpg (based on refueling logs) since the day I bought it. Over the past three months, it's been closer to 30 mpg. My driving is a mix of city and highway (probably about 70% city and 30% highway.

Some factors that might invoke the infamous "your mileage may vary" clause:
  1. Ratio of city / highway driving
  2. Length of a typical trip
  3. Tire pressure (I run mine at 42F/38R based on a thread here about ride quality)
  4. Terrain (flat vs. hilly), though my CMS mileage doesn't get too bad in the mountains.
As far as driving behavior (I try to keep my lead foot under control), one thing that seems to help my fuel economy a goodly bit is the judicious use of cruise control. I have a number of roads where traffic is light enough that I can effectively use cruise and according to the trip computer it seems to to quite a bit for my fuel economy.
 
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Old Sep 22, 2013 | 08:00 AM
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I drive like a maniac most of the time and still manage 26-27 MPG, but I've done a lot of mods that help it breathe easier.

You might try replacing the air filter with a higher-flowing filter like the aFe.
 
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Old Sep 22, 2013 | 08:56 AM
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Originally Posted by MINIall4fan
So, I just bought my MINI for a random dealer here in SLC, UT and I noticed that it was only getting like 22-23 mpg when I was driving it after that. I took it down to the MINI dealership and they changed the oil and said that the oil that was put into was wrong. So, I drove it home from the MINI dealer and was getting 32 mpg and then a week after this, I'm currently getting back to the original low mpg. Any other reasons why it is low? I'm not an aggressive driver btw. It's a 2012 MINI CMsALL4 Automatic.
Best MPG is obtained thru Super Unleaded.

What grade fuel are you using.
 
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Old Sep 22, 2013 | 09:21 AM
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I agree, the best MPG is with 91 or 93 octane. I drive Pittsburgh to Columbus twice a month and get 31.5 - 32.8 was the best on 93. Mine is a 12 ALL4S CM. K&N panel air filter and the turbo to intercooler muffler removed. I also keep my Tire pressure a bit high at 36 front- 38 rear. In the city its 24-27 MPG depending on my right foot and if she is in sport mode.
 
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Old Sep 22, 2013 | 06:00 PM
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I only getting 18-20mpg in NYC.. even on the highway the most I could get is 22-24mpg.... and most of the time each tank is around 200 miles..
 
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Old Sep 22, 2013 | 06:57 PM
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these cars get horrible gas mileage in city driving. But if you do mostly highway, ive gotten up to 31 mpg to a tank.. When I was commuting.

Now i live 5 mins from work, close enough that the CMS doesnt even warm up, I get closer to 21mpg. I didnt break 200 mi on my last tank, and thats driving it gingerly.


Kind of sad.
 
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Old Sep 23, 2013 | 08:57 AM
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Low to mid 20's sounds about right for an automatic all4 in mixed driving IMHO.
 
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Old Sep 23, 2013 | 08:58 AM
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Originally Posted by chrunck
I drive like a maniac most of the time and still manage 26-27 MPG, but I've done a lot of mods that help it breathe easier.

You might try replacing the air filter with a higher-flowing filter like the aFe.
Yes, Air filter is going to be the first thing I replace. I looked that the factory air filter and it is so restrictive. I'm currently using 91 octane btw.
 
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Old Sep 23, 2013 | 09:12 AM
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One tip...or maybe a fact...
This issue, lower than expected mpg, has been an issue to most every turbo car ...
EPA mpg testing is done with BOTH pure gasoline (so more btu per gallon, no e-10) high octane, AND very light throttle use, so light, that the turbo will almost never truly spool up....
Most folks get a turbo to USE it...and like to hear it spool up, and the ZIP!!
 
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Old Sep 23, 2013 | 11:49 AM
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I'm chirping third on on almost daily basis getting on to I-95. economy? muahahahaha
 
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Old Sep 28, 2013 | 07:49 PM
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I'm getting around 280 miles/per tank in NYC and I drive mix highway and local.
 
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Old Sep 28, 2013 | 10:19 PM
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MPG tends to varied tremendously between local driving and highway driving. I drive to work locally everyday, and basically 15 to 20 mins of driving. And I get only around 19-20 MPG, however, when driving in highway, I get 31ish mpg. Last week I drove from Los Angeles to San Francisco, approximately 410 miles, I was able to get there without stopping at the gas station half way. Btw, I have the jcw CM.

Edit: I am pretty impressed about the MPG on the Jcw CM. I used to drive a 2010 non-s clubman, and I never got anything better than 29mpg high way, and 23 local.:(
 
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Old Sep 29, 2013 | 04:17 AM
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got 35MPG stuck going 55 60 thru the UP. Only the second tankful in the car. Another 10 hours of 55 60 then ten hours of 80. I will see how the MPG does.
 
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Old Sep 29, 2013 | 05:33 AM
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Originally Posted by burnsranch
got 35MPG stuck going 55 60 thru the UP. Only the second tankful in the car. Another 10 hours of 55 60 then ten hours of 80. I will see how the MPG does.
Have to be honest.... 35 MPG on only your 2nd tankful....engine is not even broken in... Really hard to believe! Is that even smart to be running 80 mph during the break-in period. Type of CM, FW, all4, S ?
 
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Old Sep 29, 2013 | 02:04 PM
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Just to make you guys a bit miffed .. I get 52 - 55 mpg out of my 2wd Countryman Cooper D :P
 
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Old Sep 29, 2013 | 07:00 PM
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I picked the car up Fri afternoon, we now have 1000 miles 55 65 on sun evening, tomorrow is the 10 hour drive at 80 MPH. The perfect break in trip home LOL. Todays MPH was 35 MPG All 4 S. I figure the skid plate might be worth 2MPH. We will see how it handles on dirt roads tomorrow.
 

Last edited by burnsranch; Sep 29, 2013 at 07:06 PM.
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Old Sep 29, 2013 | 07:21 PM
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I have a one week old JCW Countryman and took it to Boston and back this weekend. In 750miles of mostly highway (some local in heavy traffic) driving I averaged 29.5 MPG and I have a heavy foot. I am pleased with this result and figure it will only improve with more break in miles.
 
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Old Sep 30, 2013 | 10:55 AM
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I've got 5k on the CM, and I've averaged 32 mpg mostly commuting to work on highways & some secondary roads.

Sunday we took a ride thru the backroads of Vermont, so 35 - 65 mph, did 150 miles of riding & stopping for pix's, got 35.1 mpg for the trip.
 
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Old Sep 30, 2013 | 01:06 PM
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Also, how are you measuring MPG?

Are you going by what the trip computer calculates, or are you doing it the correct way?

Correct way:
1.) fill up tank with Premium (hopefully 93 octane) gas
2.) press trip computer reset button
3.) drive like you normally drive, (no hypermiling or lead-footing it, unless that's how you drive all the time).
4.) when tank is nearly empty, fill it up again, noting exactly how many gallons you put into the tank
5.) Note the miles you drove on your trip computer, (while at the gas station).
6.) Divide the miles by the number of gallons.
7.) Rejoice at knowing your actual, mathematically correct Miles Per Gallon

Did I mention to NOT trust your trip computer's mileage computation yet?
 
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Old Sep 30, 2013 | 02:22 PM
  #23  
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I'm averaging 30.4 MPG in my 3012 CMS since I started tracking it 8 months ago with the Car Minder iPhone app. My commute is ~25 miles each way. It's mostly highway with some stop and go mixed in. My average speed for a tank is typically 43 MPH, which is somewhat indicative of the city/highway mix. There's a lot of error in measuring MPG for a single tank, so I wouldn't put much weight on a single reading. On average, on my car, it looks like the OBC is about 1 MPG optimistic.
 
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Old Oct 1, 2013 | 04:46 AM
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Originally Posted by jonnieoh
Also, how are you measuring MPG?

Are you going by what the trip computer calculates, or are you doing it the correct way?

Correct way:
1.) fill up tank with Premium (hopefully 93 octane) gas
2.) press trip computer reset button
3.) drive like you normally drive, (no hypermiling or lead-footing it, unless that's how you drive all the time).
4.) when tank is nearly empty, fill it up again, noting exactly how many gallons you put into the tank
5.) Note the miles you drove on your trip computer, (while at the gas station).
6.) Divide the miles by the number of gallons.
7.) Rejoice at knowing your actual, mathematically correct Miles Per Gallon

Did I mention to NOT trust your trip computer's mileage computation yet?
This method is filled with testing/measurement issues and is no more accurate then using the reported MPG from the computer. Gas pumps are only calibrated and tested for 5 gal and 10 gal accuracy by a States Measures person. This verification varies from state to state, but at most is done once a year and likely every 2 years. You most likely don't use the same pump over and over, so now you have variability from pump to pump. Add in more variability on what is "full", ie when the pump clicks off.

In the end this method has so many variables that it is in no way more accurate. I do a quick calculation when I fill up using this method and its always very close to what the computer is reporting.
 
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Old Oct 1, 2013 | 04:54 PM
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Getting somewhere between 30-32 MPG with a 45 mile commute, mostly back roads at highway speeds (50-60) and very little traffic.

I have about 4600 miles on a 2 month old 2014 All4.
 
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