my mini feels like its losing power. it felt like it had more pep before. is there anything i could do to fix this?

 

I don't even know where to begin. You need to give more info or just go to the dealer. They would probably love it

 

Didn't you just start a thread about performance modifications?

 

yes i did like 3 days ago because i plan on adding performance after i get my car back to what it was....

 

you're probably just used to driving it now. I experienced the same thing with my sport bike.

 

I had a clear bra installed by the dealer and got a loaner for the four hours they had my car. The loaner was exactly the same as my car, other than the color. It didn't seem to have as much pep as mine.

They told me to bring the car back full of gas or they would charge me $5.00/gallon. I put a couple of gallons of premium in it before returning it. I suspect that other people just put regular in the car whenever they topped it off. With regular gas, the computer will dial back the timing to prevent preignition, causing the engine to produce a little less horsepower.

So there is a long winded reason for me to ask, are you filling the tank with premium gasoline or regluar?

 

im putting either plus or premium in it every time never regular

 

you need to use premium every time otherwise the ECU will start to adjust

 

lol, talk about blind diagnosis.

You don't even give us model/year/miles/mods/symptoms.

Give us something and we might be able to help you out.

 

lol im sorry i left that out

2003 mini cooper s 90k miles borla exhaust....when i step on the gas it doesn't seem to have much acceleration like it used to

 

At 90k several things come to mind but it would still be sort of blind diagnosis.

If I were you I would first check the bypass valve, which is a common source of low power if it's not closing/sealing properly. You can either replace with new OEM / Detroit Tuned, or try to do a quick fix by removing and modifying the spring so it fully closes. Do a search and you'll see what your options are.

At 90k the condition of supercharger could also come into play.

This is obviously assuming all typical maintenance items are taken care of, like oil/plugs/air filter/etc.

The new maintenance item Du Jour is Seafoaming, which cleans up fuel system or intake system (depending on use), which could help depending on the issue. Never done it so can't comment there.

Apart from these, I would try and take it to a MINI tech that could diagnose other things. Depending on where you live and in no particular order: Minicorsa, Way Motor Works, Detroit Tuned, Helix are the most renowned ones. (Sorry of I left out others that qualify)

 

Morning,try resetting your ECU, that should clear out the old settings
and give you a chance to put some new memories in

 

LOL, I am going to go with the obvious... It is summer and it is possible that heat is your enemy. Happens...

Where are you located? Here in Mass it has been hot and I have noticed a drop in, as you put it, pep...

 

You might have a point there, its been dame hot in the Boston area
a friend of mine works at Logan and they had a 747 try to do a 3 engine
take off for a maintenance issue and the air was so hot and thin there
was no lift and power for the engines.

 

if it is just in the last couple of days.....it might be the heat...and the fact your AC is on....that will also cause a bit of bogging down/lag.
If it is longer term....then is all your basic maintenance done? Air filter, plugs, oil change......there are other things that could cause it...a stuck or leaky bypass valve, boost leak, or even a bad tank or two of gas.....but wait for a cool day/evining, and go for a ride with the AC off....I bet it feels fine!!

 

im in stamford,connecticut

 

Turn off the AC and you get insta-pep.

 

You said you use plus or premimum....that could be an issue...with 89 the timining might be getting retarted, and the heat will cause a timing retartaion also, then add the AC and heat soak on a hot day....all will contribute to lack of power.
Drive it for a day or two on a cooler day....with good gas, then if you still have the lag, dig deeper. At 90k, it is likely there is a bunch of basic mantaince that need to be done...and depending on your future upgrade plans, most are things you are going to do anyway...sparkplugs, airfilter, etc. Some things, like intercooler boots, are easy to look at to see if there is a boost leak.
A gradual drop off in performance as the SC wears is likely....rebuilds can be fitting, but that is much more gradual. As stated, sudden changes are a bit of a concern...it likely indicates a change....the bypass valve, or more precisely the spring in it failing is pretty common....replacement is pretty easy, and the part is not expensive...about $100.

 

^^ Good advice.