Chuck I am expecting an Underdog badge at breakfast this month

As for Cooper vs. S on a track I think my Cooper did just fine and I am not out there to lap everybody I am out there to have fun and learn about my car closer to its limits than on the roads.

 

Chuck the CVT has its place huge luxury cars, yep you read that right, let me explain.

Most have huge engines with plenty of power so losing some would not hurt.

Most have tons of sound deadening so the horrid drone of staying at max power would only be heard by the lesser folks outside the car.

Lastly there are bigger gains to be had in fuel economy at that end of the spectrum. Taking an already good gas mileage car (Mini) and putting in a CVT makes a very small diference. Do it in a large luxo barge and there are more savings to be had.

 

I was up at Classic last week and they were expecting them in at any time ... They are sending their salesmen to Vegas for the introduction seminar ...

 

CVT might not be the best on open tracks like nelsons.....but my CVT turned in much quicker times than the heavily modified, pullied MCS's that were at all the autocrosses. There's something to be said about ALWAYS being in the powerband on a tight autocross.

People call it sluggish...but that's generally due to not knowing how to use a CVT to it's full potential. It took a lot of learning, but it is possible to use the CVT qualities to your advantage. It's not the fastest thing in the world...but it has it's own positive attributes....especially when my MPG is above 40 on roadtrips

 

I know there are proponents of the CVT.

You know how to get the most out of a CVT. Me I only spent 1 day in one. Enough for me. My floor it & cuss as it droned away from a stop didn't work well. My put it in sport mode floor it & cuss as it droned away worked somewhat better, but still not what I'd be willing to except from an automagic.

My thought on your autocross performance comes down to driver ability, not cars. You out drove them! Don't give the credit to the box of belts.

As for the mileage, that is great & I'm envious. Not enough to have a CVT though.

 

I was thinking Underdog would make a swell grill badge too. But alas I lack the talent to whip a batch up.


Cooper's on track are big fun. Going fast in a safe controlled environment & learning to drive at your limit is what a track day is all about. It's not about competition, it's about fun & learning things that will make one a safer driver on the street. Personally I leave the stop watch at home. Lap times only cause one to push right to the edge. I like to stay a safe distance from the edge.

 

Say whatever ya want about the CVT, I really do not care. Mine has served me well...cannot speak for your own experiences or opinions. This was my first of the "new" MINIs, and I was satisfied with it. It has NEVER let me down...not on long drives, in twisties, at the Dragon, or on the track. The ONLY reason I added an MCS to the stable was to preserve the fine little car that is my MC CVT!

 

Yah....I won't be getting one ever again But it was an interesting experience.

 

I meant no offense with my opinion. Worth every penny you've paid for it.

I'm glad you like it. It is yours after all & your opinion about your CVT is all that ultimately matters.

 

I DO like it. Maybe I wouldn't like it as much if it was pure stock, but it isn't anymore. It has EBC pads, s/s brakelines, a rear swaybar, M7 STRPs, a catback and a CAI. For what it has, it is sprightly and handles well. It WAS my daily driver until I bought the MCSa, but now I only mostly drive it to shows. No offense taken.

 

May I chime in on the CVT...
when we were shopping for the "family hauler" - "grocery getter" we were seriously looking at the Nissan Murano. The CVT killed the deal, it seemed as though it always was on the verge of shifting... very annoying.
We ended up with an X3.

 

WOW my mother-in-law has a Murano and I absolutly love it and the CVT it seems to always have power. I actually hope she gets tired of it so we may try to buy it from her. Plus with that v-6 even the drone is awsome if only every car sounded that good.

My old boss' wife has an X-3 and I drove it a couple of times it was spooky how well it handled and it was pretty peppy, but I thought it was kinda small.

 

OK, I'll bite - what the heck is CVT?

 

It's the automatic transmission used in the r50 from 02-06. It stands for continually variable transmission. It's complicated, but it never really shifts....just sits in the powerband until you reach your desired speed and then goes to about 2.5k rmp and stays there.

If you're curious...check this out:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continu...e_transmission

 

Ah - OK - that's the same tranny used on snowmobiles and the like IIRC. I've driven the occasional loaner Cooper with auto and hated the feel of it, but I've only clocked a few dozen miles on it, so I know I'm no fit judge.

 

I only EVER use the "D" drive when on trips, as that is the mileage setting. Otherwise, I am always using the clutchless 6-speed shifter, as it seems to respond better thru the twisties.

 

CVT, it's a great idea that falls on it's face in real life. Variable pulleys that the belt rides up & down in changing the ratios. Not set ratios like a conventional tranny, but variable ratios. That's why they seem to drone along.

The first one was built by DAF in '60 or so for the Daffodil car. TRUE The next I remember were in the Subaru Justy. Honda had some Civic's with it. All of those cars dropped the CVT, because they were problem plagued. I remember reading that CVTs were only able to take low horsepower & torque, but technology has marched on & we are seeing CVTs in Fords, Audi's, Nissan's & Chrysler's. I don't like them, but some people do, because they buy them.

On a MINI when the CVT is put in sport mode it just mimics what a conventional tranny does during shifting. Instead of the variable ratio you only get the 6 ratios the computer selects.

 

But, those 6 ratios of CVT mimicking of a 6-speed are still better than the CVT drone of the "D" drive.

 

Luckily....I've got the early 02 build before they instituted the 6 ratios into the SD mode. My SD mode is basically the D mode but rev's higher. No shifting or anything Bummed that they changed it to make US owners happier

 

I agree....

 

go to bed.

 

Rigidjunkie, I didn't mean to trash the Murano. I still do like the Muranos, it's the CVT that bothered me. Had they ofered the Murano with a manual tranny or a conventional automatic I'd own one now.
As for the X3, it's awesome how it handles... it drives much like a car (a very good handling car like a three series). I will admit that sometimes the automatic transmission holds a gear way too long, but overall, it's a great car... most of the attributes of an SUV without the humongous size.

 

Those are the very same attributes that led me to buy a Forester XT. X3 was way out of my budget. More like a car than a SUV & a very spirited driving experience. Slap 4 snows on & laugh at the weather.

 

No worries mate. Bashing SUV's is fun. As long as you do not get down on Minis you are AOK in my book Now get out there and play in the snow with you X3!

 

I've had fun playing in the snow this morning. In my MINI. You have to love the quizzical looks the SUV drivers give you when you pass them in a MINI. Snow tires for the win !!!