Post what you have figured out in your cars. I am getting my MCS in a few weeks and would like to know at what rpm gives you the best launch. I used to have a BMW 325 and an M3. Both of those got the best launch when taking the engine to about 3500-4000 rpm and dropping the clutch. I got some wheel spin, but I got the best acceleration times doing it this way. Don't worry, I will be properly breaking in the engine before I do any of this, just curious. Thanks in advance.

 

 

Drive with balding front tires for quite a while like I did. I just put new ones on the front a couple days ago and I can't believe how much better I've gotten at launching without wheel spin and most impressive - without triggering DSC. I don't have to turn it off any more for a good launch.

I have the 17" Goodyear Eagle Runflat All-Seasons.

 

Definitely turn of the DSC/ASC any time you want to get a good launch. And remember this is a front wheel driver - hard to get as much traction as the BMWs you're used to. If you dump the clutch at 4K with the gas on the groud you'll have a nice trail of smoke behind you . I slide it out (not a hard dump) around 3K.
Congrats on your pending arrival.
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[img]albums/album25/ama.gif[/img]VinceAndJessica.com
Alta pulley, Stebro exhaust, Pipercross intake, Progress rear anti-sway bar.

 

Here's how I've gotten my best results:

 

DSC you can turn off. ASC is passive and you cannot turn it off.
I would recommend removing all items in the car that are not fastened down- just like on track days. No sense running with scissors!

 

I must say.. taking my MCS off the line is a task...

I have embarrassed myself a couple times when he bogged down bigtime cos I didnt give it enough.

1) switch off traction
2) I like about 3500 plus clutch slip
3) dont wait for the rev limit

I have never picked up properly with dumping my clutch... has anyone???

 

Actually yes....but boy did I squeal for 1-2 seconds!

At about 3700 I just let off the clutch and floored it and took off and miraculously my ubiquitous stumble never got in the way. But there was no smoke and it really felt like a great take off.

I've only attempted this once....DSC was off. A/C was off....

Tonight I chirped in second on acceleration around a curve with an IS 300 on the inside lane.....I absolutely obliterated him....he got scared and hit the brakes because the curve was tight :smile:

 

Yes, AC off!!!! DSC off.
Give me 2nd with 4000rpm just after launch on a curve. It's soooooo gooooooood!!!!! I hit 3rd then
I just burn up the road. Sizzle. Oh yeah, watch out for the redline.

 

... And of course, always with your engine well warmed up.

 

>>DSC you can turn off. ASC is passive and you cannot turn it off.
>>I would recommend removing all items in the car that are not fastened down- just like on track days. No sense running with scissors!
The things that are passive and cannot be turned off (with a switch) are EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution), CBC (Corner Braking Control) and ABS (Anti-lock Braking System). None of these 3 have any effect on standing start wheelspin.

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[img]albums/album25/ama.gif[/img]VinceAndJessica.com
Alta pulley, Stebro exhaust, Pipercross intake, Progress rear anti-sway bar.

 

ASC+T alone is not available in the Cooper model, at least in the USA. In the Cooper you either don't get any kind of traction control or you get DSC ($500 standalone) or as part of the Sport Package ($1300).

ASC+T is standard in the MCS and for $500 more you can upgrade to the DSC or as part of the MCS Sport Package.

 

Thanks for clearing up the ASC/DSC option on the Cooper issue, Cooper4us. The jist of the post is inform people that ASC can and must be turned off in order to get a good launch because ASC will cut the throttle if it detects any wheelspin.

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[img]albums/album25/ama.gif[/img]VinceAndJessica.com
Alta pulley, Stebro exhaust, Pipercross intake, Progress rear anti-sway bar.

 

>>Thanks for clearing up the ASC/DSC option on the Cooper issue, Cooper4us. The jist of the post was to get the fact ASC can and must be turned off in order to get a good launch because ASC will cut the throttle if it detects any wheelspin.


You're welcome Vince. Question, do you have ASC+T or DSC in your MCS? I am picking up my ASC+T equipped '04 MCS tomorrow and any tips or suggestion are welcomed.

 

>>ASC+T alone is not available in the Cooper model, at least in the USA. In the Cooper you either don't get any kind of traction control or you get DSC ($500 standalone) or as part of the Sport Package ($1300).
>>
>>ASC+T is standard in the MCS and for $500 more you can upgrade to the DSC or as part of the MCS Sport Package.

I have ASC, and switch it off several times a day. Is this because it was a Canadian launch edition Cooper? Do the Canadians get something the US does not?

 

>>>>ASC+T alone is not available in the Cooper model, at least in the USA. In the Cooper you either don't get any kind of traction control or you get DSC ($500 standalone) or as part of the Sport Package ($1300).
>>>>
>>>>ASC+T is standard in the MCS and for $500 more you can upgrade to the DSC or as part of the MCS Sport Package.
>>
>>I have ASC, and switch it off several times a day. Is this because it was a Canadian launch edition Cooper? Do the Canadians get something the US does not?
>>


Canadians do get ASC+T standard on both Cooper and MCS. We Gringos only get ASC+T standard in the MCS.

 

I don't "drag race" much at all and haven't attempted to dump the clutch or feather it at RPM's above 2.5k. All I do is rev it up to 2k and go WOT while easing out the clutch quick.. I guess from all this reading it's not the fastest way to take off but the MCS is pretty quick like this for me. And besides, I like to keep clutch and tire wear (wheelspin) at a minimum, I don't think anything like abuse. :smile:

 

Just for reference (since someone may come back to this thread someday for info)... On the US-spec MCS with DSC, you can disable the DSC and this WILL turn OFF the traction control too. If for no other reason this is necessary to give you the ability to get your car out of snow (by rocking or wheel spin). If you were stuck in snow and couldn't turn off traction control, you'd never be able to get up an enough wheel spin to wobble yourself free. The traction control would keep killing power to the spinning wheels and you'd just sit. I'm assuming (but cant' verify) that if you "just" have ASC+T, that must be disable-able too.

Turning off traction control will be beneficial to launch. I know...I do it all of the time on my DSC-equipped MCS.

 

What are you talking about??? Are you saying if you don't have DSC, the ASC toggle doesn't work? Because if you have DSC (like I do), turning it off turns of ALL features - TRACTION CONTROL AND STABILITY CONTROL. Traction control is not passive in the MINI.

Edit - sorry I didn't realize this was already beaten to death!

 

Was coming out of a toll booth accelerating in second when I hit "resume" on the mfsw to reactivitate the "cruise control". Talk about "launch control" in F1

A definite rush!!!!!!

 

1) Turn off A/C

2) Turn off DSC

3) Rev to 3500

4) Dump clutch

5) Enjoy!


Alternatives:

For a little smoke:
3) Rev to 4500

For a LOT of smoke:
3) Rev to 5500

Also, in the MCS, there is no need to get up on the redline before shifting. If you look at the torque curve, you're really pretty much maxed out around 6000 or so.

 

>>Also, in the MCS, there is no need to get up on the redline before shifting. If you look at the torque curve, you're really pretty much maxed out around 6000 or so.
>>
>>
Really? The engine is pretty high revving and with the ECU can go over 7000, that is a lot of "room." Do you mean the acceleration in the following gear (if you shifted at 6k) will be stronger than if you took it to redline? Just curious.. TIA