Our Feb 2003 MCS got it's first checkup the other day. I had all the usual complaints about cold starting, the hiccup/stumble in 1st gear, absurdly low power below 1500 RPM etc. so I knew they were going to update the engine management software from 32.0 to 33.? While I had their ear, I took the opportunity to express my disappointment with the hypersensitive and grossly overreactive traction control system in hopes that word would eventually filter back to Germany. The dealer of course warned me not to expect any traction control resolution soon/ever and I agreed.

So I pick her up with 33.0 (they think it's 33.0 but they're not really sure. They knew very little about the current 33.2). Anyway, I'm driving her home and there's not a damn bit of improvement in any aspect, that is until I kicked her in the gas pedal and lit up the tires like a bonfire. Well, it was more of a "chirp" than a bonfire, but nonetheless I was flabberghasted. Mind you, I've lit a few bonfires with the traction control turned off but never have I been able to coax the computer into letting me chirp the tires under it's close watch.

Screeching tires aside, the real difference is that I can now accelerate briskly without the damn ASC freaking out and shutting down the engine. In straight line acceleration, the ASC is now hardly even noticible -- a little tire squeal, a very brief and slight reduction in power, and I continue on my way with full power! Powering through corners still upsets the computer a little but nothing like the dramatic tantrum it would throw with the old software.

Is it just me? I didn't think the braking system used the main computer software and I'm sure they would have told me if they worked specifically on the brake system -- especially since I complained about it. In all these months of driving the bejesus out of that little car I never once heard any tire noise and then I'm inadvertantly making a scene with tires squealing on the way home from the service center? Anyone else burning computer controlled rubber?

 

Hi Vespa,

Fellow CWFFCer here. I have the cold start deal going on too. I have scheduled an appointment to get this corrected on August 1st. I just haven't had time to take it before now. Are there any other issues with an 03 MCS that I should bring to their attention??

This makes me feel much better because I have felt since I got the car, it's pretty pathetic in first gear. I realized early last week that I needed to get it checked out when I scared a person walking down our street gunning it so it wouldn't die. He probably thought I was trying to kill him, or didn't know how to drive a stick. Anyway, this gives me hope knowing my car might be purring before long!!

[On another note, my car is in the shop right now because I backed it into the garage door as it was moving up (just scraped the spoiler and it's getting repainted). Hope your car is happy now - can't wait to get mine back.]

Take care,

Karla

>>Our Feb 2003 MCS got it's first checkup the other day. I had all the usual complaints about cold starting, the hiccup/stumble in 1st gear, absurdly low power below 1500 RPM etc. so I knew they were going to update the engine management software from 32.0 to 33.? While I had their ear, I took the opportunity to express my disappointment with the hypersensitive and grossly overreactive traction control system in hopes that word would eventually filter back to Germany. The dealer of course warned me not to expect any traction control resolution soon/ever and I agreed.
>>
>>So I pick her up with 33.0 (they think it's 33.0 but they're not really sure. They knew very little about the current 33.2). Anyway, I'm driving her home and there's not a damn bit of improvement in any aspect, that is until I kicked her in the gas pedal and lit up the tires like a bonfire. Well, it was more of a "chirp" than a bonfire, but nonetheless I was flabberghasted. Mind you, I've lit a few bonfires with the traction control turned off but never have I been able to coax the computer into letting me chirp the tires under it's close watch.
>>
>>Screeching tires aside, the real difference is that I can now accelerate briskly without the damn ASC freaking out and shutting down the engine. In straight line acceleration, the ASC is now hardly even noticible -- a little tire squeal, a very brief and slight reduction in power, and I continue on my way with full power! Powering through corners still upsets the computer a little but nothing like the dramatic tantrum it would throw with the old software.
>>
>>Is it just me? I didn't think the braking system used the main computer software and I'm sure they would have told me if they worked specifically on the brake system -- especially since I complained about it. In all these months of driving the bejesus out of that little car I never once heard any tire noise and then I'm inadvertantly making a scene with tires squealing on the way home from the service center? Anyone else burning computer controlled rubber?

 

set some $$ aside for new tires bro

 

I still have software version 32 and have not had any issues (of course I also live in FL, so not cold start issues anyways). And almost every other car I've owned has been a 4-cyl stick, so I guess I just know how to drive them because I have no problems taking off from a standstill. I'll admit that under 3K the engine is not very torquey, but hey, it's 1.6 liters people.

 

>>I'll admit that under 3K the engine is not very torquey, but hey, it's 1.6 liters people.


you nailed it right on the head!

 

Try getting some smaller lighter wheels, with my 15' 7 holes I could burn rubber all day, with the 16's it takes a little more effort.

 

Do you know when the MINIs started to come with version 33? I want to know what mine is running. 32 or 33.. it was built Feb 18th. and picked up march 26th.

I'm probably running 32 huh? would the dealer upgrade it for free if its in for a service like oil change?

Thanks!

 

Hi Vespa, Hi kgladstone,
This feels like a real CWFFC reunion here! I've got the dreaded 'stumble' in first gear but I've not had any cold start issues. For the most part, I can work around the stumble and it's not a big issue as far as I'm concerned. I don't have the DSC but the traction control seems fine. I can chirp the tires going into 2nd and the computer's intervention is hardly noticeable.
The MINI has yet to go in for service and unless something major happens I'll wait for the first oil change. My only problems so far are a 'buzz' in the dash and the interior lights don't come on when I open the door.
Happy Motorin'!
Wings :smile:

 

Well, actually, my original post was about the traction control system, not the severe lack of low RPM power or the absurdly mismatched gearbox in the MCS.

I've done many many years in 1.6L sticks and have never seen anything perform as poorly as the MCS does at low RPM. I don't know what your previous cars were orbhot but it sounds like they were in some pretty bad disrepair. No car, no matter how small the engine, should perform as poorly as the MCS does at low RPM.

I think that for me, the problem is aggrevated even further by the low octane fuel here in AZ. I read many posts here where people refer to absolutely unreal octane numbers like 94 and such. Even jet fuel isn't 94 octane here. We're lucky to get anything in the 90's at all. Add that to the high altitude and the dry, low-density air and things are pretty rough. The Brits obviously tested the car on a drizzly winter day along the coast in Oxford with a tank full of 107 octane or such and never considered the climate, geography, and fuel in the US.

But anyway, my point was that after having the ECU updated the traction control system was letting me accelerate briskly and even allowing for some wheelspin. Unfortunately, it only took a few days for it to "re-learn" its previous dumb state and therefore now whenever I try to accelerate, it freaks the ***** out and shuts off the engine. Just like new.

 

Like, what's the deal with that ?? "upgrade one day and 4 days later the MINI remembers how it used to run and defaults back to it" ???

I think there is something wrong with that computer.

I'm still going to get my MCS and will love it and will expect them to find a solution and program it into our cars!!!