Why is there such a disparity (mid to upper 7 second range vs. 6.9) in the 0 to 60 times achieved, by R&T, Autoweek, Motor Trend, etc. relative the MINI official published time?

 

MINI has better drivers :smile:

 

>>Why is there such a disparity (mid to upper 7 second range vs. 6.9) in the 0 to 60 times achieved, by R&T, Autoweek, Motor Trend, etc. relative the MINI official published time?

I think there may be several reasons foir such disparity:

Most of the car magazines tested the MCS with full sports package, and also premium package.
The premium package adds about 75 lbs for the sunroof. Not much difference there, but definitely a bit.
The biggest difference is likely from the 17" S-lites in the sports package vs the 16" V-spokes. The V-spokes are so much lighter and that has a huge effect on acceleration. Some have compared the combined weight savings of - if I remember correctly - about 25 lbs for all four wheels, to the equivalent of 100 lbs of non-rotational weight.
Add maybe leather seats (vs lighter cloth) and you are talking about a 200 lbs difference.
Add maybe a MINI driver that is more experienced in optimal launch, and maybe also whether the mmagazine teste drivers turned off ASC / DSC etc...
and you can easily explain the difference between 6.9 and 7.5 or even 7.8 seconds.
The highest values such as 7.8 may also for the british mags refer to 0-62 (0-100 kmh) times, rather than 0-60 times.

 

The other thing that must be considered (to some extent) are
track/weather conditions.

In my corvette on a repaved industrial road (with minor cracks)
w/GTECH, I ran 4.9sec 0-60, at Milan dragway in MI I ran a 4.71 likely
due to the traction difference. Although I'm no SCCA driver,
either.

According to what I've read, also the weather can even make a
difference. Higher altitudes = lower density air (explosions expand
that much less air), I'm not sure what effect it has on a supercharger?
I would think the intercooler would be less effective too, due to
less air/heat exchange from density differences.
I know it can effect a turbo, although I've also read turbos are a
bonus @ higher altitudes (superchargers likely too?).
Heat / Humidity can also be a difference as well.

I think MG also hit a big nail too, launch is key. Not too much
to burn it out, not too little to bog.

my $.02 (adjusted for leading economic indicators),

-Matt

 

Uh, maybe the rags forgot to turn the DSC off.

 

nah, the MCS is just kind of sluggish, plain and simple...not much of a speed demon off of the line. I'm hoping that eventually swapping on some lighter wheels (I've got the S-heavies) will get it closer to the mythical 6.9 also, once the warranty period is over, I'll probably cram on a new pulley too

...the saddest part about it is that "official" BMW 0-60 times are usually slower than what the car is actually capable of, which gave me some hope when I saw 6.9...I thought I might end up with a 6.7 car until I started reading the tests. perhaps by doing the reverse in this instance, BMW was looking to prove that the MINI really isn't a BMW. haha...*sigh*