(I also posted this in the "Yo-yo Chronicles" thread and the "stumbles again" thread in the "Beneath the Bonnet" forum.)

BMW of Hawaii installed V37 in my 2003 MCS (Lucy) on Saturday. Lucy didn't have any problems with yo-yo that I noticed, but she did have the stumble when shifting from neutral to first, and the colder she was, the worse it was. She also had a problem with starting on the first turnover when she was cold too (cold in Hawaii being in the low 60's).

I am happy to report that V37 seems to have fixed the stumble problem. Temp was in the low 60s this morning when I fired her up, and no problems there either. Of course, the only way to really assess this as a "fix" is to see how it works long-term, but so far, I am pleased (knock on wood!!!). V37 also seems to have eliminated most of the delay in acceleration. Lucy feels very peppy, quick, and responsive now.

With the old software, I was also constantly having problems matching RPMs when shifting. It is MUCH easier now and shifting is much smoother.

MINIangelD

(outside temperature was what was Lucy was telling me, and I don't know how accurate that guage is ... I do live in MINIlani, though, and it gets pretty cool here at night)

 

What version were you running prior? What was your build date? The reason I ask is V36 was supposed to fix the stumble.

 

I don't know what version I had prior. Lucy was delivered to Hawaii in June 2003. I never got around to looking up her build date.

 

>>I don't know what version I had prior. Lucy was delivered to Hawaii in June 2003. I never got around to looking up her build date.


You never had version 36 to begin with. And yes, V36 did fix the stumble.
The car's build date can be located on the factory placard affixed in the driver's side door jamb.

_________________
'02 Cooper CVT PW/B, MFSW, CD Boost, 15" 8-Spoke silver wheels.
'04 MCS CR/W, UJ Roof Flag, Aux Input, HK, Sport MFSW, Rain sensing, Auto dim mirror, 16" silver V-spoke wheels, Chrome grille, Chrome mirrors, OBC, front fogs.

 

Also drive the car for several more miles before you chant victory. Let the "self learning" aspect of the software due its thing and see how it holds up after a few hundred miles down the road.

 

I concur with Cooper4us as you need to let the car adapt. A few weeks should let the car assimilate. Also, check and see how your car reacts to hot weather. When v.36 was introduced, people were quite happy and thought it cured the stumble. However, it was the cold weather that temporarily cured the stumble. As temperatures have risen throughout the US, some people have reported that the stumble has returned.

 

It has been pretty warm and humid here in Miami and V36 installed in my '04 MCS over 3 months ago is working beautifully, so far.

 

MINIangelD,

Any update on V.37 ECU software?
Everything working OK for you?
Mpg any different?
Autocross OK.?

 

Everything seems fine (knock on wood!). Lucy is still running peppy. Gas mileage has been about the same as it was before (24-25 mpg, mostly highway miles). I did pretty well in the last autocross, which may or may not have been due to mini-t's racing tires. Lucy will be wearing her usual run-flats on July 4th so I'm wondering how well we'll do, although I really feel like my driving skills improved after Spring Fling.

Some people have reported problems with V37 in hot weather. I haven't noticed anything, but then it never gets really hot here, so maybe that won't be an issue (especially since I am taking Lucy to England with me). It will be interesting to see how V37 handles cold weather starts in truly cold temps, like say, 20s and 30s. Lucy will only be a weekend car as well, once she gets to England, so that might complicate things a tad.

I suppose I should also add, that V37 handled Spring Fling really well. That was a very demanding day for any car, and Lucy and her new brain handled it quite well, I thought.

 

The dealer didn't think that there was much difference between v.36 and v.37 when I inquired about it.

I was told there is only a finite number of times you can load and update ECU software into a MINI.

Glad to hear all is working OK with V.37 for you.

Now what about that bad window. Argh.