My Mini Countryman S has less than a 1000 miles. I’ve noticed on a few occasions (especially when taping the accelerator a little more than usual) that the exhaust stinks of sulfur. The tailpipe (once cleaned) also seems to develop black soot faster than I think a new car should, but I realize this may be a topic of debate.

Except for weekends, most of my driving is short local trips. Some threads suggest trying other brands of gas (re: sulfur content). So far I’ve used Hess and Sunoco premium with no noticeable difference in exhaust smell. I'll try BP next.

Anyone have same issue or a dealer remedy ?

Cheers,

 

Hi Jaffo - I found this online.

When high sulfur fuel is burned, there is a chemical reaction in the catalytic converter causing the sulfur to oxidize. As the vehicle is driven, the oxidizing reaction odor in the converter will decrease with mileage and age.

1 Switch to a different brand of fuel and drive the vehicle for at least 100 miles. Monitor the decrease or increase in sulfur smell.
2 Do not add any type of 'fuel additive' as this could add sulfur to the fuel and cause/increase the odor.
3 Try to avoid extended periods of short trip driving or aggressive acceleration.
4 Request information from your local fuel dealers on the amounts of sulfur in their gasoline. Try to use fuel containing the lowest amounts of sulfur.

I hope it goes away

 

The cooper s tail pipes soot up easy. I believe this is called normal.
There was a thread on it but I can't seem to find it at the moment.

 

Thanks all,

I can't avoid the short trips (work is too close to home) but will give the Sunoco gas a little more time (only 65 miles since fill up). I also like knowing that the oxidizing reaction of the catalytic converter should decrease somewhat with age.

Jaffo