Hi.
I used to drive manual transmission cars but this time around I bought a F56 MCS with an automatic transmission. I was not planning to autocross.
But driving a MINI has awakened my autocrossive nature again.

I remember on my only outing with my R56 MCS, it had too much low end torque and it spun wheels out of every turn. My all season tires and inexperience made the matter worse I guess.

Do people turn off DSC and TC? Do you just tap the DSC switch or hold it for 10 seconds?

In Manual mode, will the transmission shift up when it hits the rev limiter?

Thanks.

 

Do people turn off DSC and TC?
Yes. And we gradually increase the throttle when accelerating to avoid (as best we can) spinning the tires.

Doesn't your manual answer the other two questions?

After the start you want to shift up to second gear before hitting the limiter in any case.

Go drive the thing smoothly and increase your speed gradually. You (or at least your nervous system) will learn your and the car's limits along the way. It is easier to learn with lower grip tires as the feedback is more pronounced and the point of no return (spin) approaches more slowly.

I give you fair warning that the resulting adrenaline rush is physically addicting and a growing need for speed can become very expensive to satisfy.

 

DSC hold down for 10 secs and turn everything off. Manually shift and no it will not shift for you. At the start I hold the brake and rev to about 2k and let off the brake. This has proven to be the best start without wheel spin.

Have fun, I sure have.

 

DSC hold can't be 10s.. it's gotta be closer to 5 no? I just hold it until it passes Traction off and then DSC Off

 

Yes, this. 5, 10 whatever. Just do not press and let go.

 

I wish I could try with TC on and DSC off.

 

You can, just press the button and let up without holding it down.

 

OK. Thanks.

Mine is just a regular auto with no paddle shifters. So I will try the 2k rpm launch as recommended by goin2drt.

 

I cannot on mine. I don't recall what just pressing it down does but it is not the same as holding it down untill the message comes up. I think just pressing it quickly takes off the dsc but leaves on TC or vice versa but it is not the same in my car, you have to hold it to turn off all nannies.

I have tried AXing with all three options. My best times were always with it all off. The nannies try too hard to save the car and it is not nearly as responsive under hard braking and corner exit. The car would be too low in the rpm range and will push like a tractor. The only way to help the rear rotate on tight 90 degree turns was to have everything off.

What do I know though, I am just a noob AXer. It is what works for me.

 

I will try different settings myself, hopefully this weekend.
I was so let down by my inability to control the wheel spin and the significant torque steer that I didn't autoX my r56 after just one event back in 2007. I raced miatas since then, and because they have low torque and they are RWD I never had to worry about the wheel spin.
I will have new summer tires on the car tomorrow and try to get 200 miles before the event on Sunday. It will be fun I hope..

 

All nannies are never completely off with BMW products. DSC will turn itself back on under extreme conditions. If an R56 has DTC then it also has EDLC which can never be turned off. Nor can ABS. Nor Performance Control on the Fxx. Lifetime limitations on BMW launch control cannot be reset. 100 times and done forever on the new X1.

It will be mucho fun if you allow yourself time to learn to autox. If you attempt to apply much throttle on corner exit before your front wheels are straight, DTC will very likely cut your engine power dramatically. It hampered my base hardtop so much I never had to brake for corners with it on. Won't hurt to see for yourself though.

 

Well, I had the TC on and it shifted up to 3rd. :( I frantically pushed the gear **** forward knowing it won't money shift. Still it kind of turned me off. BTW, them WRX are quick. They are also in DS.
I am not sure if I will continue AXing.

 

you can beat them, I've been doing it one of our fastest guys is in a r53 jcw d-stock he puts down some of the fastest pax and raw for all classes

 

It is not the car.

I AX with my Porsche Club group. We have an X class for all none Porsche's. My Mini beats both of the Sti's and one has a certified instructor driving and I have only been 4 times.

The car is more than capable to beat most at AX (big track different story).

The full track Porsche's (full aero and basically slicks) with the best drivers will certainly have better times but the Mini in any form is going to be able to hang.

Don't give up, it is a blast.

 

Do you guys have oem brake pads? I would like more initial bite as my factory pads don't grip hard unless I put my foot into it.

 

I use track pads, but they squeak a LOT, people will be telling you that your warning tabs are touching and you need pads

they also dust a lot

but they sure have nice bite!

 

OEM but the current brakes are the best. Not sure what you have but the stock JCW's are so good.

 

oem pads suck imo they do not bite hard and take a lot more pedal force than race pads

 

What brake system do you have? I have the Brembo's that come on the 2016 JCW and they are incredible. We did a Driver safety event with the Porsche Club and part of it was a few braking drills. Not one car out there was better than the Mini.

 

in autocross stock classes you cannot change the brake calipers I run stock in d-stock. What race pads did for me, is lots less pedal pressure needed and they are more sensitive to input I do not think race pads changed my distance to stop, it just changes pedal feel & pressure needed

on a track they do not overheat as bad as stock

For wheelspin on corners, practice trail braking and getting turned faster, these front wheel drive cars have a big disadvantage you have to get the nose pointed straight before your foot is to the floor or you will get wheelspin bad

 

I almost ran into a light pole because the brakes didn't had enough bite coming off the freeway. I have done that drive in that turn at such speeds many times in my previous SUV and it braked much better than this MINI. The SUV was a lot heavier and the wheels were larger but it braked much better. When I got home I placed an order for EBC yellow pads. It wasn't clear though whether MINIMania had them in stock or not.

 

you might want to upgrade to stickier tires. your tires are part of your braking system.