How long was this bog that you are talking about? I would also experience a small "bog" but it would only happen if I say came out of a parking lot or something similar and hit the gas while making a turn. After getting some more info on the board, I determined it was the ASC kicking in, which may be what is happening to you. But then, my car only has 350 miles on it now so I am still taking it easy until the car is broken in.

 

My 04 mcs has 1257 miles on her. No BOG as you describe it also no stumble as has been reported by others. All was fine at the start but, at around 500 miles started to notice slight YOYO in 2nd. & 3rd. gears. Now yoyo more pronounced in 2nd., 3rd. and starting slightly in 4th. Understand that ecu version 36 does not address the yoyo problem. Any input from MINIUSA as to when this problem may be solved? Helllooo MINIUSA, you listening?

 

the bog today I would say lasted about 3 to 4 seconds..... long enough to get rear-ended.....
Good thing I am a very cautious driver and waited for a big gap before turning into traffic.

I got DSC to activate multiple times yesterday, so I am sure what I experienced today was not DSC intervention. If DSC was intervening, the dash light should come on. No dash light came on, so I doubt that it was DSC. Seriously, I was nowhere near being able to spin the tires. I gave it very little gas to get rolling, but once I got rolling I gave it more gas and basically NOTHING happened until I completed the turn and straightened out the wheel.

My 04 has 900 miles on it now, and I have noticed YOYO in 2nd and 3rd. I have not felt it in 4th though; maybe I need to hit 1257 miles......

I also noticed my exhaust note changing.... it is much louder now. Anyone else notice this?

 

Can you be more specific of this "yoyo"? It sounds to me that you are not making consistently smooth clutch engagement/disengagement while shifting through the gears.

Case and point, when I am driving my Mini, either spirited (although not too spitited since it is not broken in yet ) or nice and easy, some shifts are as smooth as butter and I feel no jerk, yoyo or whatever you want to call it. Hell, sometimes the gear shift is smoother than an automatic transmission gear shift. However other times, if my clutch/gas action is not 100% in sinc, I may get a little (or a lot if I am really sloppy with the clutch and gas) jerkiness/yoyo as I shift through the gears.

From what I can gather, the Mini and MCS were designed by BMW to be performance sports cars. This includes everything from suspension, engine, and transmission, which includes the clutch. So what does this all mean? The clutch on any performance sports car, which is what the Mini is, is less forgiving than a non performance sports car (i.e. Accords, Civics, Corrolas, etc...).

My previous car, which I still own and is set up to auto-x heavily, is a 95 M3 which also has a very unforgiving clutch if you don't get the timing right. When the timing is right, the car shifts as smooth as butter, but if it is wrong, the car will let you know. Now I consider myself an experienced stick driver (my M3 has been my daily driver for the last 8 yrs) but even an experienced stick driver can not get it right 100% of the time unless you have some computer help (ala SMG II on the new M3).

I am not saying that this is definitely what your problem is, it may very well be something else with the car. But since I have been reading/posting on this board I have seen countless complaints on how the car bogs/stumbles/yoyos, etc. Now I am not saying the Mini does not have any issues. All cars have issues, and those who are very enthusiastic about a car are quick to point out any issues with a car. The stumble issue, for example, definitely seems to be some type of software issue. On the other hand, I think a lot of people (but not all of course) who are buying this car are coming from non-performance sports cars which were either automatics or very forgiving manuals (i.e. Honda, Toyota, Ford, etc..).

The Mini is an affordably priced high performance sports car. Don't let the price fool you. You pay a price for that performance and in the case of the Mini, the manual transmission is not as forgivving as other lesser performance cars. However, IMHO, the Mini is very forgiving compared to what I have been driving in the past.

 

Andrew,

I had the problem of my remotes not working and service identified it as the control module for the remotes. They ordered and had the part in within three days and it solved the problem. No new keys were needed in my case.

Mark


>>My remotes for our 2004 MINI also don't work, has anyone gotten this to work yet? My dealer ordered new keys, but i'm unsure if that is the problem...
>>
>>Also, how long does it take to get new keys usually? It's been almost 3 weeks and still no words on the keys...
>>
>>--Andrew

 

Katana,
Your description of "bog" is not something I recognize from 8000 miles with my MCS (or 8000 with my previous MC). Of course if you cannot repeat it regularly, Gary and the others at MINI Peabody might not be able to track it down

My car has what I presume others call "yoyo" - as I accelerate (in 2nd particularly) I can feel the cars power oscillate slightly. Nothing dramatic ... I have always assumed it is some errors in the engine management data curves and I will continue to wait for a proven V36 or whatever.
For those who don't recognize "yoyo", it behaves almost as if: As the car accelerates, you are thrown backwards - maybe your foot comes a little off the pedal. So now the car acceleration is reduced - this makes your foot press the pedal again; etc, etc. That is what it feels like ...


Katana,
Are you keeping an eye on the local New England forum? Do you know about the "MINI Meander" on sunday November 2?
MINI Meander

 

I don't think that the yo-yo has anything to do with jerky shifting or incorrect shifting. It happens after I shift and am completely off the clutch and then begin to accelarate. It is a pretty subtle jerking as if you are getting on and off the gas really fast. Anyways I can't remember, but do any of the aftermarket chips solve this problem

 

>>I don't think that the yo-yo has anything to do with jerky shifting or incorrect shifting. It happens after I shift and am completely off the clutch and then begin to accelarate. It is a pretty subtle jerking as if you are getting on and off the gas really fast. Anyways I can't remember, but do any of the aftermarket chips solve this problem

Foot off the clutch does not neccesarily mean that the clutch is fully hooked up. If not shifted smoothly, I can feel the "yoyo" in 1st or 2nd gears, in the MINI, in my 330, and I've even experienced that in 1st gear in an SMGII E46 M3! Be very smooth with the throttle and it should not do that...

this is assuming your "yoyo" is what I think it is... it might be a different problem...

--Andrew

 

Thanks Mark, so they replaced your control model for the remotes?

--Andrew

>>Andrew,
>>
>>I had the problem of my remotes not working and service identified it as the control module for the remotes. They ordered and had the part in within three days and it solved the problem. No new keys were needed in my case.
>>
>>Mark

 

I usually shift at about 3000 rpms for every gear for normal driving, seems to work for me. (unless im taking off faster) I get no jerks or yoyos or bogging when i do it this way, either shift just below 3000, at 3000 or a little over 3000, works for me.

 

I'm pretty sure the yoyo in my car is not caused by shifting. I can make it happen by being in 2nd gear (clutch pedal out), steady state crusing, then give it about half gas. As the car accelerates, the acceleration is not smooth. It jerks the car a little bit. I have the habit of jamming my right shoe against the panel to the right of it (after 900 miles, it is all scuffed up already) so I am sure the gas pedal was not moving.

Hi Ian, I am aware of the event. However I will not be here that weekend. (AOPA EXPO in Philly; it is like a big car show but for airplanes)

I will research the repeatability of my "bog"..... That gives me more excuses to go motoring!

Has anyone checked their coolant level/color? Since the coolant expansion tank is now beige, it is almost impossible to see the coolant from the outside. I finally opened it up last night to check the levels. The trick I use is actually shine a flashlight from top; the shadow will be able to tell me the level of the coolant. When cold, mine is pretty much at the "min" line. I could not tell if my coolant is blue or brown, but I do notice stuff floating in it (sort of like an oily film floating on top). Can you guys go check your cars and report back your coolant level and see if you have stuff floating in it? I thought MINI has figured this coolant problem out but I was quite surprised to see the oily film.

 

Just checked my coolant. After 1300 miles mine is still blue (Put flashlight near bottom of tank which lights up inside of tank). Some minor film floating on top but doesn't seem to be anything to be concerned about YET. I did ad Redline Waterwetter at about 200 miles.

 

Just when I thought my car is rattle/buzz free, well, a huge buzz sneaked up on me.
I heard that same rattle/buzz a few days ago, and thought it was from the stuff I put in the glove box. Well, I was wrong, and that rattle/buzz didn't go away.

I promtly got onto the internet and did a search, and sure enough, there were several threads about pax side door rattles. I examined my door panel, and realize that it was lose. If I bang on it with a fist, I could reproduce the buzz/rattle. Well, someone suggested stuffing a long piece of cardboard between the panel and the door, and that's exactly what I did. Went out for a drive, and my car is now buzz free.

I'm surprised this issue is not resolved yet. I could easily move the door panel by hand. I am also surprised that almost everyone who has the door rattle has it on the pax side door. I hope this is the one and only rattle/buzz I'll get. However I know with the help of sites like mini2 and MCO, I will be well equipped to deal with any problems I encounter with my car.

 

I've had my 04 MCS for almost 2 weeks now, and here's how I'm finding things...

I had no stumble or yo-yo, other than that which I caused myself, getting used to the new clutch! I stalled about 5 times in the first 24 hours of driving just getting used to that.

I do still find it hard to get into reverse - which was a pain in the neck the day I tried to do a 3-point turn and was stuck in the middle of the road for a full minute, unable to get the stick through the gate.

I've had no strange vibrations from my gearstick, only from my rear-view mirror when I have my harmon-kardons up loud!

There was a funny smell when I got out of my car after journeys, but my husband reckoned that was the brakes bedding in, and it hasn't been as noticeable this week.

I found the steering to be a bit light at first, but attributed this to the tyres wearing in as it is no longer a problem. However, I do have a pull to the left that I only noticed the day before yesterday. I'll keep an eye on this (In case it makes any difference - my steering wheel is on the right - I am UK based).

As I posted in another thread, the dealer seemed unaware of the ability to re-program the OBC settings. He also seemed unsure of how to activate the follow-me-home lights, which I stumbled across accidentally when I switched off the engine with the lights still on and opened the door before turning the lights off. However, I love the OBC, especially the digital speed readout, as there is no way I could get used to looking over to the centre panel to check my speed.

I have had the same 'electric car' noise only once when parking, but I was going very slowly to squeeze into a small space.

I've had no problems with the sound of my wipers, or the sensitivity of the rain sensor - it was spot-on perfect. I also love the heated front windscreen - and only wish I could've had the same feature installed in the side windows!

I have an alarm, which surprised me when it went off when I opened the car using the key in the lock rather than by using the remote. At least I know it works!

Apart from the slight pull to the left, and the awkward position of reverse, my only other gripe is the seats. I find that if passengers get into the rear seats and push the drivers seat forward, the drivers seat often seems to get stuck and not return to its original position - so I have to re-adjust the legroom seat settings.
The good features of the car far outweigh these minor problems.

It has managed to impress my husband - so there's praise for you!

_________________
Is it hot in here or is it me?

 

>>I do still find it hard to get into reverse - which was a pain in the neck the day I tried to do a 3-point turn and was stuck in the middle of the road for a full minute, unable to get the stick through the gate.
>>

I also found my reverse gate to be stiff. My female friend needs 2 hands and all her strength to get into reverse.

>>There was a funny smell when I got out of my car after journeys, but my husband reckoned that was the brakes bedding in, and it hasn't been as noticeable this week.
>>

Same here, but I do still smell it sometimes. I have 1200 miles on my car now.

>>As I posted in another thread, the dealer seemed unaware of the ability to re-program the OBC settings. He also seemed unsure of how to activate the follow-me-home lights, which I stumbled across accidentally when I switched off the engine with the lights still on and opened the door before turning the lights off. However, I love the OBC, especially the digital speed readout, as there is no way I could get used to looking over to the centre panel to check my speed.

ARRRGH! You guys on the other side of the pond are lucky! In order to idiot proof the cars for us Americans, they changed our follow-me-home activation methods for 04s. I much prefer the way they have it set up for your car.

>>
>>I have had the same 'electric car' noise only once when parking, but I was going very slowly to squeeze into a small space.

The electric car noise is always there (it is not a problem btw; I actually think it sounds cool)
When you squeeze into a small place, the noise is probably reflected back to you, making it more noticeable. Next time stand outside the car and ask your husband to turn the steering wheel; you will definitely hear it.


>>
>>Apart from the slight pull to the left, and the awkward position of reverse, my only other gripe is the seats. I find that if passengers get into the rear seats and push the drivers seat forward, the drivers seat often seems to get stuck and not return to its original position - so I have to re-adjust the legroom seat settings.

This is not the car's fault. This is the fault of your salesperson. Your salesperson should have explained to you how to operate the seats. To return your seat to its original position, instead of pushing the seatback upright, push the seat as far back as you could first. That position would be your original setting. Once the seat is moved all the way back, then push your seatback up straight. If you push your seat back up straight first, it locks the seat and the seat won't move back to your original position. It is one of those quirks about our MINI.

 

Another comment about the yoyo in my car.
I had an Alta intake installed yesterday. This intake allows me to hear the air "wooshing" into my supercharger. When yoyo occurs, I could actually hear quick changes in the "wooshing" sound. Since I can actually hear it, my guess is that the throttle butterfly position is changing. If it is fuel injection related, I shouldn't be able to hear changes in the intake sound...... Also, the change is much quicker than I could have induced by moving my throttle, so now I am convinced that yoyo is a result of software moving the throttle butterfly.

 

Absolutely ZERO problems on my new '04 MCS with 650+ miles on the odo.

 

About the follow-me-home lights - I posted the way I thought I'd activated them - but when I tried it that same way last night it didn't work. Hmmm - wonder what went on there then! Perhaps I had accidentally flicked the stalk without realising it!

Oh, and I remembered something else - my car doesn't sound like the car I took on test drive. I could hear the whine of the supercharger when I put my foot down to accelerate. I know I'm supposed to be keeping the revs down, but I haven't heard the whine yet! I paid good money for that whine!!

Thanks for the heads up about the seats. The dealer didn't explain that to me - and that's exactly what I've been doing wrong!

Cheers!