I use my 2008 MCS for a variety of dreary reasons such as the commute to work as well as some weekend pleasure driving and I leave the car in sport mode for all of it. Why you ask? Well because it's such a dog when it's not in sport mode that it's tricky to get rolling in first gear. It's so unpleasant to drive in normal mode that I don't see why it exists at all.

Is anyone else finding this as well?


Another beef / question I have regarding the MCS has to do with the handling. The car is all stock with the sport suspension and run flat tires. The level of feedback from the road is overwhelming and it follows every crack or crevice it crosses so you need two hands on the wheel.It demands your full attention all of the time to keep it going straight on anything but perfect pavement. Our pavement out here is dismal so it's getting tedious to say the least. I've heard that a change to non-run flat tires helps?

Any thoughts?

 

There is a delay in from pedal input to engine response. The sport button has a more aggressive throttle input response, so that is why is can be easier to drive. There are aftermarket solutions such as the sprint booster, or having the car tuned can eliminate this delay. It is frustrating.


Switching to non-runflat tires makes a large difference in ride and how the car responds to rough pavement. Your sport suspension is stiff, and if you have 17" wheels to go with it, it is harsh. If you are going to buy new tires, maybe look at switching to 16" wheels, they will soften the ride as well. Larger diameter tires have shorter sidewalls, which are inherently stiffer. You cannot go smaller than 16" wheels, though (your brakes are large enough that they will interfere with 15" wheels from a base cooper).


Have fun,
Mike

 

I saw a device from one of the vendors here that I think is plug and play. It works so that when you start the car, it automatically engages the sport mode so you don't have to expend the energy letting your arm descend to the pesky button. The energy spent is certainly in controlling one's arm during the descent. Which is a bother, even for me, and I work out daily! I can't recall the name of the thing, but I'm sure a search on the forums will bring it out of hiding.

Okay, I figured since you didn't like pressing the button, I would do the search for you. Try this: http://www.fes-auto.com/products_det...p?productid=24

As for the feedback, I like feedback from my car. My wife wanted a new Wrangler, but due to its dangerous lack of feedback, I said no and bought her a Countryman S instead.

 

Looks like the sport button was covered well above.


Yes, Sport Suspension with runflats is indeed firm-riding, to a fault perhaps. I switched to non-RFTs and a flat fix kit after the originals were mostly worn out, and it's night/day. Those harsh impacts over joints and such are generally eliminated.


Your comments on track-following and generally "dartiness" don't sound good though. You didn't mention number of miles/kms traveled on you MINI, but those symptoms seem more like alignment or worn suspension bushings. Hard-riding, yes, but mine never was darty with the RFTs.


Hope this helps, just another data point.


Oh: again, mileage-related, but if yours is higher-mileage, maybe an walnut shell intake cleaning is in order, if it's never been done. "Dogginess" from start, and needing lots of throttle from start can be signs that the intake ports / valves are clogged with carbon and need cleaned.

 

Nothing really to add here. Getting rid of the run-flat tires was the first thing I did when I got the car. I bought one of those little pump things that squirts goop in the tires to use if I got s flat. I later got rid of it and just bought a regular Mini spare. I put it in a bag and it sits behind my seat (like anyone is actually going to sit in the back seat).

 

I think that the car is detuned without SM so they can squeeze higher MPG ratings out of the car. Once I'm on the highway I go back to non SM. I'm obviously in a different Mini, but I get the same anemic performance without that button lit up.

 

I guess my beef is a bit petty but I agree that the "sport mode" is likely normal operation and the off position was created to possibly improve fuel economy although it probably makes no difference. I'm going to stick the button down with a piece of gum so I don't over develop my right arm pushing the button all the time.

Oh and it has 200,000 kms on the clock and it smokes from time to time so it probably needs the intake blasted and probably valve seals and probably new bushings (although it just passed inspection). All things on the to do list when time and money allow.

 

Quote of the day right here!

When you get new tires, go to something like a 215/45 R17 non run flat. It will ride SO MUCH better. I have the Sport package as well, and this was the single best thing I've done to date.

It does sound like you need an alignment. I just had mine done and it made a world of difference, the car was way out of spec. Another 'mod' that impressed me lately was the Ireland Engineering fixed camber plates, adding a little front camber and a proper alignment again transformed the car. It tracks much better at speed and holds a line way better, while being able to corner more aggressively too.

 

Some people just always drive with the sport button on. They like it that much.

Well covered above , the steering ratio and throttle position is increased.

As for the ride , going to non runflats will help by far the most. As for tracking , in sport mode they do track pretty well hence the go kart feeling and should be straight.

Alignment helps the most with the track also, does it drift to the right of left ?

Get it aligned by a MINI dealership ( or some place that knows MINIs ) if it has not been done before, ditch the RF and then get it aligned.


Thanks

 

The sport button does NOT detune the car by that I mean the power output does not decrease. Depending on model year it will change the throttle response, steering assist, pop and burble, coolant temperature, shift points for automatic transmissions... I'm forgetting some.

The only reason that I push the button is for the tightened steering response. I do have an automatic but I use manual shift mode 100% of the time. The manic tune already does the throttle response and coolant temperature and I could easily live without the pop and burble. I should check with Manic to see if they can add the steering response, then I won't have to push it.

 

I love Sport Mode so much that sometimes I push it to start my Mini by mistake! I wish the faster we drive the stiffer the steering wheel gets.

Non-run flats 36 psi and there will be a big smile across your face! No harsh ride, or if you can stand the sight of 16" inch wheels that's even better.

 

I have the sport suspension and 17" runflats and the ride is acceptable. My trick is to decrease the tire pressure from 38psi to 34psi. That makes a difference in ride comfort and doesn't seem to affect the turn in/handling at all. I use the Sport button 100% of the time, they should let us option it on all the time. I used to stall my 2007 manual tranny car if I forgot to push it.

 

I just bought my 2005 MCS and it had a lot of dartiness? following every crack and seam in the pavement. The first thing I did was a larger rear sway bar, that helped a lot, not sure why, but 70%of it was gone. Non runflat tires took care of the rest.

 

Another simple upgrade would be a NM Engineering Torque Arm Insert. They run about $59.00 to $69.00 and improve the "rubber band" effect of shifts. It adds onto your existing torque arm and improves the feel dramatically. It also helped my feelings of the car squirming or wallowing under acceleration and braking.

If you are up around 200,000 km then really checking struts, shocks and front and rear bushings sound in order. My 2012 MCS doesn't dart or dodge around and I'm running 17" run flats with sport suspension. My run flats will be replaced once they have served their lifespan.

 

How many miles on your? How are the control arm bushings, ball joints and tie rods? Your tires may also be part of the problem.

Do you Han auto or manual? Mine is a manual and I find both modes are quick with sport being really quick.

 

They have done that on the F56. It doesn't reset unless green mode is selected.

 

Interesting reading the responses above. I think we all share the same feeling about the car. I wish, as well, there was a way to get the throttle and steering tightness without the burble...

Ride comfort doesn't bother me so much. Sport button on is very similar to my R53 MCS.

 

If you are on stock shocks at that mileage, they are way past shot. Koni FSD's are on sale now via vendors on this site if you don't want to lower the car. Bridgestone Driveguard run flats are night/day more comfortable than Continental run flats, and you keep the sharp turn in response of run flats. Or just switch to non run flats, as others have suggested.

 

I really don't push the Sport button too often, more likely just paddle into first (Automatic) while stopped.

Being 'justa'Cooper, she came with non-runflats and a spare. Factory equipment was (Continental) 'Summer' tyres (15") and upgrade to a set of Michelin 'All-Weather' Pilot Sport made a big improvement in ride, noise and handling. Recommend Tire-Rack for sure.
Art

 

Even though my car has been through two full safety inspections this year, I'm confident that the bushings are shot. As soon as I get a few items off my honey-doo list, I will be spending some quality time in the shop with the mini to address its needs which are extensive unfortunately.

The list looks like this in order of priority;
Timing chain and guides (tensioner just done)
Bushings
Oil burning (possible turbo as she is whining)
Tires (non-run flats)

After that she should be good till the snow flies and we need a set of winters.

 

Just a quick update,
This weekend I had the time to swap the wheels (16 inch)off our 2009 standard cooper onto the 2008 MCS. The change is unbelievable. It now rides nice and drives perfect regardless of surface imperfections on the road. At least I don't need to question the condition of my suspension bushings now. I just need another set of 16 inch wheels and some rubber.

 

I hear it's a dramatic jarring difference between a 17" inch wheel and a 18" inch wheel, I would expect going to a 16" inch wheel must be a smooth ride!

 

I saw the most change from 16" to 17" in ride. I also went from 17" to 18" and it was a little more rough over bumps. But going to non RF made the biggest change on all sizes. In my opinion.

Glad the change worked for you.

 

Once upon a time I had a 2003 mini. It was green and beige and it made my wife very happy until I installed these 18 inch Konig rims. Then it just looked cool but driving it was torture.

 

I have to run my Michelin Super Sports summer tires at 36 psi to get a comfortable ride, 38 psi makes such a huge difference!