R50/53 Horrible Gas Mileage?
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,330
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From: VA Beach
I have an '03 MCS and I also got 22 MPG regularly in mixed driving for the first six months or so.
Once I broke 17,000 miles, my MPG started to go up for some unknown reason. I'm now getting around 24-25 MPG regularly in mixed driving. I have a bit of a lead foot, rarely use the AC, and do my calculations by hand at each fill-up.
Once I broke 17,000 miles, my MPG started to go up for some unknown reason. I'm now getting around 24-25 MPG regularly in mixed driving. I have a bit of a lead foot, rarely use the AC, and do my calculations by hand at each fill-up.
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,068
Likes: 1
From: the great country of california
Originally Posted by kiki511
Maybe all you S owners would like to consider a Cooper for your next Mini purchase? My '04 is averaging 32-35 mpg in combined driving, and on a recent highway trip, I got 44 mpg!!! 
Must be a pretty straight and flat highway! We got about 24 mpg in stop and go highway travel in our Lexus GS. That's only half of yours but we were mighty comfy and we had power with the AC on!
Oh, and no to the MC purchase.
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,068
Likes: 1
From: the great country of california
Originally Posted by zfxr
I don't drive too hard (well, usually 
) normally shift below 4800RPM, A/C use is only when it's hot or humid (> 85F usually). Alta intake, v36 software...
Anyways, I've been getting about 25MPG in the city, highway- tho, has been around 32MPG lately... Drops to 31 with heavy A/C use... Thats running between 75-80MPH...
Like MGCMAN, I had an anomaly this morning. I had the climate control on "68F", with the fan on the lowest setting, no A/C. I was following a suburban (with mudflaps) most of the way- avg. around 70MPH (in and out of construciton)-
34.8MPG, according to the OBC. Was impressed :smile:
A couple of points to take in consideration, calculate the difference with a 5MPG improvement on your monthly fuel bill, S vs. non-S. For me, 32MPG vs. 37MPG. For me, going 1,200MI monthly (my summer driving diet)- this works out to 37.5gallons monthly, vs. 32.4gallons. At $2.15/gallon, this works out to about $20 more per month. A difference, but not massive in the long-run...
My friend has an 04 Prius, can't get over 52MPG on the highway... Tops he ever saw (avg.) was 53... He drives slow, too. But were I very concerned about fuel costs, TDI is the direction I'd drift. A Golf TDI, given current prices (@ $1.80/gallon), 48MPG highway- $45/month. Saves me about $35/month...
So you see, fuel economy can make a difference on the budget. But, IMHO, it isn't massive...
) normally shift below 4800RPM, A/C use is only when it's hot or humid (> 85F usually). Alta intake, v36 software... Anyways, I've been getting about 25MPG in the city, highway- tho, has been around 32MPG lately... Drops to 31 with heavy A/C use... Thats running between 75-80MPH...
Like MGCMAN, I had an anomaly this morning. I had the climate control on "68F", with the fan on the lowest setting, no A/C. I was following a suburban (with mudflaps) most of the way- avg. around 70MPH (in and out of construciton)-
34.8MPG, according to the OBC. Was impressed :smile:
A couple of points to take in consideration, calculate the difference with a 5MPG improvement on your monthly fuel bill, S vs. non-S. For me, 32MPG vs. 37MPG. For me, going 1,200MI monthly (my summer driving diet)- this works out to 37.5gallons monthly, vs. 32.4gallons. At $2.15/gallon, this works out to about $20 more per month. A difference, but not massive in the long-run...
My friend has an 04 Prius, can't get over 52MPG on the highway... Tops he ever saw (avg.) was 53... He drives slow, too. But were I very concerned about fuel costs, TDI is the direction I'd drift. A Golf TDI, given current prices (@ $1.80/gallon), 48MPG highway- $45/month. Saves me about $35/month...
So you see, fuel economy can make a difference on the budget. But, IMHO, it isn't massive...
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,664
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From: Orlando, FL
We own a MCS and a Honda Insight. The Insight has a lifetime mpg of 64.5 and has 60k miles on it. We've gotten 37 mpg in our MINI driving highway 75-85 mph. Everyday driving yields about 31-32 mpg. The Prius is nice but as an Insight owner, it doesn't get enough mileage for me . A diesel VW is something I'd consider as a 4 passenger high mpg car.
. A diesel VW is something I'd consider as a 4 passenger high mpg car.
3rd Gear
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 224
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From: Louisiana
I was very dissapointed with my mileage until I started monitoring it as I drove using the onboard computer. I think the drive-by-wire is VERY sensitve to the slightest touch. Just by watching how I use the accelerator (in minute movements) I've found I've been able to get much better mileage.:smile:
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,664
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From: Orlando, FL
Originally Posted by J-Didi
I was very dissapointed with my mileage until I started monitoring it as I drove using the onboard computer. I think the drive-by-wire is VERY sensitve to the slightest touch. Just by watching how I use the accelerator (in minute movements) I've found I've been able to get much better mileage.:smile:
3rd Gear
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 224
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From: Louisiana
For me it looks like my car loves 3100 rpm. Whether 4th, 5th or 6th gear, if I try to hold the accelerator JUST enough to maintain that rpm( as with cruise control), the OBC shows upper 30's/ low 40's. Press even a little more and rpm and speed don't seem to change at all but mileage drops into 20's . 5th gear, 3100 rpm and 52-55 mph seems particularly sweet.
Acceration from standstill I just GO until I can upshift and the tach drops to 3100 range.
Turning off ac seems to add 5 or six mpg easily.:smile:
. 5th gear, 3100 rpm and 52-55 mph seems particularly sweet.Acceration from standstill I just GO until I can upshift and the tach drops to 3100 range.
Turning off ac seems to add 5 or six mpg easily.:smile:
2002 MCS with 35K miles and I average about 25 mpg in mixed city and highway driving, as low as 17 mpg in city stop and go and an absolute best of 29 mpg on a long trip - all calculated. The OBC for gas mileage is so far off it is a joke.
But when I was on a cross country trip and got that 91 octane Western gas out of its system and put in some good 94 octane Midwestern blend, the car ran sweeeeet and I got an immediate 1-2 mpg bump.
I have an Alta CAI and when the red foam got noticably dirty I cleaned it with a K & N recharger kit and again I got an immediate 1-2 mpg bump that leveled out after a while.
If I was that concerned about gas mileage, I would have bought an MC. The MCS is still so much better than my 13 mpg gas guzzler Ford pickup.
But when I was on a cross country trip and got that 91 octane Western gas out of its system and put in some good 94 octane Midwestern blend, the car ran sweeeeet and I got an immediate 1-2 mpg bump.
I have an Alta CAI and when the red foam got noticably dirty I cleaned it with a K & N recharger kit and again I got an immediate 1-2 mpg bump that leveled out after a while.
If I was that concerned about gas mileage, I would have bought an MC. The MCS is still so much better than my 13 mpg gas guzzler Ford pickup.
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,330
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From: VA Beach
Thanks for the tip J-Didi!
I've gotten used to cruising at around 4000... 50 MPH is usually in third gear for me, not 5th! I'll have to try lowering the revs to see if it helps. :D
And thanks for the reminder about how crappy the gas is in SoCali, CF! That alone will make a signinficant difference in the mileage...
I've gotten used to cruising at around 4000... 50 MPH is usually in third gear for me, not 5th! I'll have to try lowering the revs to see if it helps. :D
And thanks for the reminder about how crappy the gas is in SoCali, CF! That alone will make a signinficant difference in the mileage...
1st Gear
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 50
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From: Lambertville, NJ
Just scanning the thread and wondering if the people with worse gas mileage are using regular instead of the recommended premium. Normally it's the other way around, but since the car is designed for premium, it gets better gas mileage the other way around.
6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,831
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From: Phoenix, AZ
Originally Posted by J-Didi
For me it looks like my car loves 3100 rpm. Whether 4th, 5th or 6th gear, if I try to hold the accelerator JUST enough to maintain that rpm( as with cruise control), the OBC shows upper 30's/ low 40's.
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,068
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From: the great country of california
Originally Posted by SCoop
Thanks for the tip J-Didi!
I've gotten used to cruising at around 4000... 50 MPH is usually in third gear for me, not 5th! I'll have to try lowering the revs to see if it helps. :D
And thanks for the reminder about how crappy the gas is in SoCali, CF! That alone will make a signinficant difference in the mileage...
I've gotten used to cruising at around 4000... 50 MPH is usually in third gear for me, not 5th! I'll have to try lowering the revs to see if it helps. :D
And thanks for the reminder about how crappy the gas is in SoCali, CF! That alone will make a signinficant difference in the mileage...
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,330
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From: VA Beach
Originally Posted by meanboy
Takeoffs burn the most gas so minimize your stop and go. You can confirm this with the OBC. Once you are cruising just keep the revs down and keep your foot out of the throttle when you know you have to stop and you have a constant speed. Saves your brakes and improves your gas mileage. You can confirm this using your OBC as well.
4th Gear
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 544
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From: Orlando, FL
on a recent trip from Orlando, FL to Asheville, NC and back, my 02MCS OBC registered 33.6 mpg with two kids, thier trunks for camp and a/c on all at about 70-80mph! Granted there may be some fluff in the OBC but I let it ride all the way so it averaged all my pit stops! As a sidebar, you should have seen all the parents with their SUVs and one kid and one trunk and me pulling up with two kids with trunks in a MINI! A couple said they were embarrassed by driving (and complaining) about the lack of room in their bus.
Around town however, I average about 22-24. I have been using 93 octane and have just now purchased my first tank of 89 to test the difference in performance, mileage and cost.
Around town however, I average about 22-24. I have been using 93 octane and have just now purchased my first tank of 89 to test the difference in performance, mileage and cost.
5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 703
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From: Morrisville, NC
I get bad mileage on my 04 MCS as well. Most of the time I am getting around 21-22 in mixed driving. I do live very close to work though (4 miles) and notice that in highway, I might get 27-28 but even when I was driving 20 minutes each way to work (mostly on an interstate/freeway) I was only getting 24. The week after I got my pulley, I got 16 but I was flooring it all over the place then. I always use 93 octane gas and calculate this by hand. Still a fun car and i had a Jeep Cherokee before. With the I-6 pushing that brick around I got 17 no matter what speed I drove so the MINI is better. Also driving only 10 miles some days helps the fuel bills quite a bit as well.
2nd Gear
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 147
Likes: 1
California Gas
I still would like to know if the gas sold in California is that much worse for mileage than anywhere else. Anybody have some comparison numbers? I live in LA and get 20ish around town, 23-24 on the highway, all at reasonable driving, but none of that "shifting at 2500" stuff......Bruce
Banned
Joined: Mar 2004
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After one year of daily 100 mile commutes,I get 35-38 mpgs.25k miles, 2k city.But that is in an MC,that I shift at 3500,or higher all the time.I always come off ramps in third,4500 rpm+.I cruise at 3100 rpm=110kph
5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 811
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From: Chicago
It's actually funny, the VW TDI's can sometimes be found for $500 or $1000 under sticker. In general, however, they move off the lots (xpecially now) when they come in, so sticker (at least in Michigan) is the norm 
They are still holding their resale well, however...
They are still holding their resale well, however...
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,330
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From: VA Beach
Originally Posted by zfxr
manual calculations, the OBC kinda sucks. The only thing I use it for is the temperature and the speedo. Come to think of it, why did I get it? Oh yeah premium package 