I have not recieved my MINI yet, but I was told it had a governor on the speed controls. I thought I knew just about everything there was to know, but somehow I have overlooked this. My questions are...

1. Is there infact a governor on the MINIs?

2. At what speed does that kick in?

I guess that is not something they bring up a lot when talking about hp and top speeds!!
:smile: :smile:

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'04 MC - Black body, White top, Chrome inserts, Premium pkg, spoiler, fog lights, sport seats, and leatherette w/ anthracite dash.

 

Yes there is a speed governor. I don't know where it is-neighter does anyone else on NAM.

The MC is limited to 124 mph
The MCS is limited to 136 mph

This is all electronically speed limited. Only top speed is limited.

 

>>Yes there is a speed governor. I don't know where it is-neighter does anyone else on NAM.
>>
>>The MC is limited to 124 mph
>>The MCS is limited to 136 mph
>>
>>This is all electronically speed limited. Only top speed is limited.
>>


Ach, but ve know vere it iz:
it is aktually a Governator:
you go too fast, and Aaaaahnold vill come to get you!

Sorry, couldn't resist.
I believe the limiter is used because of the speed rating of the stock tires?
NE1 know what the top speed would be w/o the governator?

 

You are forgiven MG-BGT. That was too good an Arnold impression not to.

So, it is due to the speed rating of the tires. Does anyone know if this is a common practice with other cars?

 

>>The MC is limited to 124 mph
>>The MCS is limited to 136 mph

...and as far as I can tell from reading this forum (not having maxed out my car), that's 124 and 136 mph according to the Mini's speedometer, which reads high. By the time you reach those speeds, the speedometer is reading 5-10 mph higher than actual speed. So, we're actually prevented from hitting those speeds. This has been verified by forum members with GPS units, including one just this week.

 

>>Yes there is a speed governor. I don't know where it is-neighter does anyone else on NAM.
>>
>>The MC is limited to 124 mph
>>The MCS is limited to 136 mph
>>
>>This is all electronically speed limited. Only top speed is limited.
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Aaaaarrrgghhh! Bring back those pistons, Minihune. I feel like I'm burning in hell. Ow, ow, ow...

 

The Webb-Powerchip and other ECU re-maps... raise the top speed limit setting.
I beleive it increases to 145 mph...but I'm not positive. I'll research it

Peace,
D

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I own a 2002 MCS w/ alot of stuff on it.

 

Yes, there is a govenor that limits the top-speed to 135mph. I was able to obtain that speed while driving on the Autobahn in Germany. German cars do not have govenors and BMW's and Mercedes where passing me like I was sitting still.
My GPS recorded a top speed of 127mph so I guess BMW/Mini is 'inflating' the top speed just a little.

 

>>Yes, there is a govenor that limits the top-speed to 135mph. I was able to obtain that speed while driving on the Autobahn in Germany. German cars do not have govenors and BMW's and Mercedes where passing me like I was sitting still.
>>My GPS recorded a top speed of 127mph so I guess BMW/Mini is 'inflating' the top speed just a little.
>>
>>
I read in a recent magazine that BMW, Mercedes and Audi by 'gentlemen's' agreement do put governors in their top monster cars, set to 155 mph. Then new AMG-somethingorother has an engine with a whopping 720 ft-lbs, yikes. It does 0-100 mph in under 10 seconds, 0-125 in under 14. The article said that they put gov's in their monsters to keep the machines sane on the street, I just wonder what is sane about 720 lb-ft?

All that said, my guess is that Dennis is right, and the governor is a function in the ECU that cuts ignition beyond a given rpm (rev limiter) or speed (speed gov.). I would think that you could raise the speed limit above 136, but should wear non-stock rubber. I only got up to top speed once - solely for testing purposes, and for myself don't see any need to go faster than say about 110 - 115 mph.

 

Now that I think about it, I have read that BMW/Merc/Audi do have governors to limit the speed to 155. I don't know if the European Spec cars have the same requirement. I use to own a 1999 Chevrolet Corvette that I ran on the Autobahn routinely. It did not have a governor and I would hit a top speed of 160-165mph!! I think it is the only US production car without a governor! It was pretty scary at that speed. On one occassion a Ferrrari was following me and then proceeded to pull away at my top speed! Only in Germany!!!

 

Thanks for the response. I never knew all this about the MINI. Very helpful. Thanks again!! :smile:

 

Only the german cars destined for the U.S. are limited to 155, I"m not sure about the Mini. I've been in an E55 AMG when it hit the top speed limiter, talk about a bunch of ********, it's such a let down.