I have a 2k2 Neon and a 2k3 MCS. If I stick my foot out the door on my flat garage floor and give it a push the Neon rolls much easier that the MCS. I can move the Neon using just the toe of my foot. To make the MCS move, I have to use the whole flat of my foot and struggle. The two cars weigh about the same. I was wondering if this has anything to do with the poor fuel mileage a lot of people discuss here. If the rolling resistance can be lowered, then the MCS's fuel economy would be better as well the performance.
Comments?

 

jack up your MCS and spin your axles by hand to get a "second opinion"

I remember my '93 Mustang Cobra was very hard to roll in neutral, but the car coasted for-ever on the road, wheels spun freely in the air, plus got pretty good milage. I dunno what gives, any ideas?

 

I have wondered about this for a long time without asking the question here. I drive a Cooper, not an S, but experience the same thing. I notice at lights, when I am in neutral, that the car simply does not roll on very slight inclines like other cars that I have driven (Accord, Integra, Corolla). Also with those other cars, I didn't feel like I was using as much throttle as with the MINI just to maintain low speeds, like 30-50 mph. They would just sort of coast along. I got 40 mpg easily in all three of those cars, even with occasional quick acceleration. Take your foot off the gas in the MINI, and you immediately begin to slow down. I wonder if this has anything to do with the flywheel in the MINI, which causes the rpms to drop much more slowly than in other cars when the gas pedal is released.

I had planned to ask about this at my 10k service, since (relatively!) poor fuel economy is my number one complaint about the car. Thanks for bringing it up.

_________________
2003 Red/White Cooper - Brookline, MA

 

Funny, I've always thought that my MCS keep it's speed quite nicely in neutral.. maybe you need to check your tires?!?

Rocketboy_X

 

Air pressure in the tires? Bigger tire contact patch? Brake calipers "dragging"?

I have no idea!

 

Nope, I check my tire pressure at least every couple of weeks.

 

My poor milage in my MCS is due to the heavy foot that sits on top of the long pedal on the right. I can't seem to get it to let loose.

 

>>My poor milage in my MCS is due to the heavy foot that sits on top of the long pedal on the right. I can't seem to get it to let loose.


LOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

>>I wonder if this has anything to do with the flywheel in the MINI, which causes the rpms to drop much more slowly than in other cars when the gas pedal is released.

The RPMs drop more slowly due to programming in the computer. This was done by chrysler to make emmisions better. I have a Dodge Neon that does the same thing when I let off of the gas. Takes forever for the RPMs to drop compared to other older cars I've owned.

 

But still the Neon rolls much easier than the MCS does...