Tomorrow morn'n I have a 7:00 AM appointment to have the 3.1 software upgrade done at a local dealer.
I've been very upset with this cold-start issue since I've picked my MCS in July 2002. I remember driving my MCS off the lot , and smiling from ear- to-ear. It was ... incredible. I didn't realize that the car was on when I got in it ...and I did not start it.
All was well with the world ...till the next morning....
What a shock it was ...that my car didn't start ...till I turned it over ....3 times....
I was....shocked..and deeply....disappointed. I had all intentions...to drive it back 70 miles to my dealer and demand ..my money back. I was livid.
It wasn't till I found this site...that I realised that... I was not alone...and this was "a quirk", in it's design.
I'm still amazed how a great majority of people accepted..this as an "acceptable" inconvenience..
I still do not understand it..., but that's my way...and has always been my nature ...to ...question....
I thank you all and this site...for sharing ..information and helping many of us answer questions, and make educated decisions regarding this very interesting car....
In retrospect ..it's a great car...and loads of fun....
It has character....personality...and will truly make a place in history for itself.
I read most of the posts and it seems this 3.1 upgrade fixes a list of problems including: cold start, 1st gear sluggishness, gas mileage, hesitation in 2nd gear...to name a few. It's seems like I've waited forever to get this upgrade.
I'm hoping it's all it's cracked up to be.
Wish me luck...
I'll report...tomorrow
Thanks again...all :smile:
D

 

I'm really glad I have the CVT, it just goes and goes, click it over into manual mode and rocket away, or just let the tranny do it's thing in backed up traffic. No cold start problems, but how would I know, living close to San Diego.

 

Dennis,
Yes, I can understand how you would be very dissapointed with a brand new car not starting! I hope the ugrade solves your problem to your satisfaction. Please let us know how the car performs with the upgrade. I am very curious about the ignition/sluggish acceleration problem as I am in line to order my S in November. Does anyone know if this problem will be taken care of in the 03 models?

Cheers,

Craig

 

>> I am very curious about the ignition/sluggish acceleration problem as I am in line to order my S in November. Does anyone know if this problem will be taken care of in the 03 models?
>>

It seems like it is fixed. My 2003 MCS has NONE of the above problems (it was 34 degrees this morning) and from what I've read the CD 31 upgrade has taken care of these problems for 2002.

 

Well...here's da scoop
Showed up at 7:00AM.......and was out driving.....again...at 7:45AM.
My observations.... since my MCS is now....3.1-ified.

1. IT STARTS...1ST TIME......EVERY TIME.......so far .
I'm waiting for tomorrow morn'n to truly ....test this out...fingers & toes crossed.

2. 1st & 2nd gear....has an entirely new ...feel to it....
The hesitation is gone and has been replaced with.....
best word to describe it is.....POWER....
The thing we all like about 3rd gear... (and we all know what I'm talking about), is now a part of both 1st & 2nd gear... This is truly a special....added ...upgrade

This is all I have to report so far....
I am truly pleased with this 3.1 upgrade...
EVERYONE WITH A 2002 MCS...... MUST.......GO FOR THIS 3.1 UPGRADE!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is not an option...IT IS.......MANDATORY!!!!!!!!!

Peace,
D


_________________
2002 MCS:pure silver/black top,lapis int.,all pkgs,17"ROH rims,

 

Started my MCS this morn'n and I'm ecstatic to report that it started ...
1ST TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The motoring gods have heard & answered my prayers...
(& that software 3.1 upgrade didn't hurt either)

3.1 upgrade.... for a MCS 2002 is MANDATORY!!!!!!

Peace
D

 

Great News....Now lets try to get them to stock upgrades and other cool MINI items.

 

Thanks for the thread!! I made an appointment for next week to get the 3.1 done. Wouldn't even have known without your help. Looking forward to post 3.1 motoring experience.

 

I had the cold start fix done today, even though I never had the cold start issue, the car now drives a lot better with this upgrade, I now have to make a concious effort to avoid spinning the tires in first gear. I was used to the lack of power under 2800 RPM so I would release the clutch and floor it instead of slipping it, now power delivery is linear from idle to redline, the car feels like it gained another 20 horses. I'll have to adjust my launch technique.

X2

 

I took my Mini in yesterday for upgrade - so far it is fantastic !!! As said before this is a must do for all with a problem . Heck i spent more time on the road getting to the dealership than the appointment The drive was fun , even more so on the way home.