I'm a new 2007 MC owner. Just wanted to know if there are any engine mods to help get even better gas mileage and power. My number one concern is gas mileage. Anybody have any experience here?

 

Well, the MINI engineers didn't leave a whole lot "on the table" when it comes to power *or* economy for the MC, so I don't think you're going to get big gains in either department.

For increasing fuel economy, your driving habits will make a bigger difference than anything you can bolt onto the engine.

 

Thanks for the post.

How about wheel/tire mods? How do they affect mpg? Bigger and wider wheels/tires will reduce mpg and power? Lighter wheels/tires will increase hp/mpg I am assuming?

Any ideas what the best wheel/tire combo would be to get best mpg?

 

For the best possible fuel economy (possibly at the expense of some other factors), use the lightest rims you can find, mount them with the lightest/narrowest tires recommended for the rims, and overinflate the tires by about 20% (staying below the maximum allowable pressure stamped on the side of the tire).

 

How about considering mpg/hp/handling/acceleration?

What is the best way to go? Stock 15" rims and tires? Are the stock 15" wheels heavy? Move up to 16"? 17"?

 

Generally, larger wheels are going to weigh more unless you go for expensive light weight options.

Stock 15's and tires are probably your best bet. You will be unlikely to see any significant savings if you change them out.

 

Anybody know how heavy the stock 2007 MC 15" 6 spoke wheels are?

It sounds like I am better off keeping the stock 15" wheels and lowering the car instead of keeping the suspension stock and putting on 16" or 17" wheels to make the car look better.

 

With the stock 15" all season, with auto trans, and normal driving in mixed highway/city conditions. I ger 33-34 mpg on my daily commute.

 

larger wheels do not only weight more, but they more the mass, air in the tire...further away from the center...which is a bigger deal then just the weigh alone, since it takes more effort to get it rolling, and stop it.

Inertia is your enemy.

 

i dont get it mate, you plan on changing from 15 to lightweight (ultraleggeras maybe) wheels 16 or 17inch to save fuel. probably that cost will be more than the consumption difference in two years of using, isnt it?

 

instead, just be easy on the gas pedal and try to brake less, if you see red light ahead, stop pushing the gas pedal, dont use ac if not really needed the window heater use lots of electricity so dont use them if u dont need them, the same goes to the seat heater if u have 'em.
just do these and your mpg will rise about %5-%10 (if u already dont) and that is the biggest rise you will ever get from a single mod.

 

Put an raw egg between your foot and the gas pedal.
If you don't break the egg, you'll get better gas mileage.

 

I don't like the 4 by 4 look on the Cooper therefore the reasoning for the larger wheels . I AM GETTING ABOUT 34 CITY AND 39 FREEWAY. just wondering if there where any easy mods to even improve mpg more.

 

The main problem with going with bigger wheels is that you will be forced to run wider tires. Take a look at TireRack.com's tires for 17" wheels. I couldn't find anyting lower than 205 width. You're best off staying with 15" wheels. If your Mini comes with run flat tires you can save quite a bit of sprung and rotational mass by swapping to non-run flat tires.

Stick with the 15" wheels and the stock width (165 or 175) non-run flat tires for best economy and as said before, keep the air pressure about 20% higher than recommended--but your ride quality will suffer a little and the car will rattle more too. There's no free lunch.

You can reduce the car's cd (aerodynamic drag) by lowering the car. Don't know how much it would actually translate into gas mileage, but it will help a little.

When discussing wheel and tire sizes, remember that the actual diameter of the tire/wheel combination is very close to constant for the popular sizes used on the Mini. I.E. the 16" 195/55/16 is about the same diameter as the 17" 205/45/17, so rotational mass really isn't affected that much. I guess rubber is lighter than aluminum alloy so the smaller wheels should yield a slightly lighter wheel/tire combo with less rotational mass.

Rob