Yeah, his isn't out yet

I personally respect a vendor who advises customers of all solutions, not just their own.

 

As I think I said above, I use this car for work, somewhere around 40k miles a year. Does anyone know if the Unichip affects gas mileage, or if it affects reliability? Thats my biggest concern with the tuning option, why I have been on the fence with it. I really want to, but if it affects driveability/durability, then it is a no go. Those of you with it installed, please chime in with your experience/impressions of it.

 

I'm not suggesting it or discouraging OP from buying it. His best bet on learning about it would be to speak to others that have it or try to get a test drive in one of their cars. I'm just stating its out there and AFAIK its the only one. Our tuner is still under development.

 

+1

There is Morego in UK

I also use my MINI for work...From home to the dealership and back..I went with JCW tunning and with all my performance changes I am still getting between 30 to 32 miles all around depending when I push the gofaster button and how many pray I encounter on my way to work.

 

Running 20 pounds of boost Versus 14 will hurt long term reliability. Your mileage will go down 3-4 MPG. More air more fuel.

If you drive 40K a year do not buy the tuning.

 

Long term reliability can't suffer that badly. Sure its inherent in any modified car really, but I don't think you need to worry. But then again, time will tell how the R56 engine does over time with increased boost.

VW/Audi guys have been chipping their cars and running much higher boost than stock for ages now. I know many that have well over 100k miles with a higher boost tune and other mods, still running the stock turbo as well.

 

I used to avg 31-32 mpg. since the chip I've gone up to 33-34 as long as I drive sanely.


stay off the heavy boost and gas mileage increases with the mods I have. leave rubber behind every time you shift into third gear and your gas mileage will suffer then. My first tank with the chip when I was running around full throttle very often I dropped to 28mpg. those 4-5 mpg were worth it hehe.

I've calmed down quite a bit since then.

Just remember - the chip allows you to get up to 20lbs boost. It's not an on/off switch (even though it's fun to drive that way)

 

The new chip arrived and should be in by this weekend, so we will see what happens to my MPG. I have been getting right at 28 mpg. That number would be better if I used all of the gears Im sure. Right now I typically go 1st, 2nd, 6th . I should hopefully get the car back on Friday with its new boost gauge and the chip in. Next weekends project (If I have time and don't end up camping!!) is to copy the CAI in post #539 here:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...=99615&page=22
I just happen to have all of his packaging for the components, so mine should be pretty much identical to his.

Thats the update for now, I'll let you guys know what kind of power differences I can feel.

 

40,000 - 50,000 miles PER YEAR!??!?! Leave it stock. One thing I've learned from all my different cars is, soon as you mod you'll get odd problems. Since this is your DD then just keep it stock. Buy another fun car to mess with... let that be your toy. A 40,000 to 50,000 mile per year car should be left alone. When the warranty expires, mod away. But 'till then you'd be SMART to leave it stock.

 

buy a smart car for 40 thousand miles / year and tune your MCS! save on gas, and have a fun car to keep for awhile

 

Who wants to drive a smart car 40k a year???????????? I want my go kart!

 

Let me re-phrase that....

Who wants to drive a smart car?

Especially after owning a MINI!