So I just got back from my first long trip in the Mini. I was wondering I have a 2004 Cooper S and the Cruise control did not keep good speed. It would fluctuate between 4 and 5 miles an hour slower depending how steep the hill was. Is this something I should get looked at before the extra warranty is up? Or is this just another thing the Germans don't use so they did not put too much thought into.

Thanks

 

Sorry if this is in the wrong section b the way... Anyway some searching says i should get the software for the 05 models, that vastly improves things. how do i do this by the way? Is it covered under warranty? Imean I have a 04 will they just give me the software update? Boy I hope so.

 

It's like that on my 05 too. Though its only about 2 or 4 miles less. It's rather annoying, and my MKV GTI's cruise control was far superior, so no, it's not a German thing.

 

I've only used cruise control once, and I've gone on some +1,000 mile road trips before. I feel that without it, you are more a part of the car and can keep a more constant speed than the computer.

 

Just got back from a 1500 mile weekend drive, and I was commenting along the way how excellent my Liberator does at holding a speed with cruise.

My old Jetta was also good at this, but the MINI is a tick better. The only place where I lost or gained more than 1 mph was in some of those Ozark hills north of Branson.

I've seen some poor cruise controls, beleive me, I had a Chrysler minivan once upon a time....

 

mine does the same and its an 04 mcs. when going up hill it will go about 5mph above my set speed

 

This must vary from car to car because both my '03 MCS and my current '05 MCS have/had very good cruise controls, better than either my old Jetta or Dodge Mini Van's.

 

My 06 cruise holds it's speed well. If it varies its speed I don't notice it.

 

my 05 is also very good at maintaining speed....
actually, not much room for improvement there.........

Steve

..........manual transmission........

 

What transmission do all you have. Maby cruse control works better with a manual vs automatic tranny??? Or vise versa?

 

Mine on the manual tranny works great at holding speed.
However, if I disengage it and hit the "resume" button, it will often "resume" about 5 mph too low.

 

Mine works pretty good for a little 4cyl engine, but I usually have it in 5th when going thru hilly sections at about 50-55mph. The main key is to set it while going up hill, it seems do better that way.

 

I have an 04 MCS and the cruise is very good. It does vary a little on steep hills but otherwise it holds the speed well.

 

My automatic 04 MC was pretty awful, but my manual 05 MCS is great. I never lose more than 1 mph.

 

mine does the same thing but i just keep hitting the minus and plus speed buttons and watch the speedometer. its fine because its very smooth

 

My '06 manual MCS keeps speed very well. I've never seen it more than 1 mph off even going up hills.

 

My cc keeps its speed well, however no really big hill here in Florida

 

Thanks guys for all the responses, I have a manual. It is interesting how varied the responses are. My Integra was rock solid... Maybe I will have it looked at... Can't hurt I guess.

 

it's rock steady on my manual transmission 2006 S

 

My only variation in speed is when I'm going up/down a significant hill/mountain.

 

You are better than me. Using cruise control will improve gas mileage.

 

The one time I did use cruise control it was for one tank of gas on a trip. Compaired to other tanks on the same trip over the same type of terrain I got better milage without cruise control. For this experiment I was not drafting a semi, but that technique has gotten me 40mpg before.

 

Agreed.

After owning several cars with it coming to the same conclusion as you have, it was of the things I definitely did not want on my MINI.

 

I always use cruise control on the highway, I hate driving out there so I just let cruise control take control and stay out of the mad dash.

 

The cruise on my '04 MCS (manual) is rock steady. I did not get any fluctuations more than 2mph even on long grades.

I don't use it because I start getting bored and feel disconnected from the car. It is an option I like having (so my car is missing less buttons, lol), but I rarely use it. I manage to get better fuel mileage than the cruise control anyway.

If you want terrible cruise control, try the cruise control on a 1980's diesel Mercedes. My '81 300d could be off as much as +/- 15mph.