Just picked it up on the newstand today. Lengthy, comprehensive article "A Guide to the MINI Aftermarket". All about MINI tuners, accessories, and contacts. An article worth reading. Cover of the magazine has 4 very cool MINIS.

 

I went to B&N last night to get the "new" issue that someone told me had a lot of MINI stuff in it only to be disappointed with the severe lack of MINI stuff I saw in the previous issue.

Looking forward to seeing what kind of MINI-only magazines are going to spring up soon!

 

This article mentions something I've been noticing in my MCS.... that is, very slow throttle response, particularly when you let off the accelerator.

The RPMs do not drop quickly. I like to "blip" the throttle (mostly just to hear the exhaust note... but you can't do it with my MCS.

Is this just the way it is with the MINI? The article mentions the heavy flywheel, in conjuction with the electronic throttle control as the reasons for this.

Anyone have experience with a lighter flywheel? Does it indeed improve the throttle response? How much does it cost (parts and labor)? Is it worth the effort and expense?

Oh yes, and does the replacement of the heavy flywheel increase engine vibration or noise to an objectionable level?

_________________
Chili Red MCS, Premium, Sport, Cold Packages, 17" S-lites (white). Confirmation of live birth on 10/11/02! Arrived at Port of NJ abour the HUAL TRITON on 30 Oct. Arrived at dealer 11 Nov!!! Delivered to me on 12 Nov!!!! Whoo Hoo!

 

The revs don't come down quickly to meet emissions, it keeps unburned hydrocarbon levels down as opposed to if the throttle blade was allowed to snap shut. MINI's throttle by wire gives the computer more control over this than linkage based throttle controls.

 

If only drive by wire was as responsive as instantly felt as drive by cable has been since the invention of the automobile.

But that is "progress" for you.

Seems somewhat backwards to use a high-tech digital computerized technology to impair throttle response, but I guess that is what automotive engineers get paid for. . . :smile:

MINI-USA, MINI-UK, BMW, if you are listening, please pay attention!

_________________
~Yucca Patrol~

2003 MCS, BRG/W on the truck to my dealer!

"Good judgement comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgement."

 

i've been looking for this issue since thursday... haven't found it... doh!!!

 

>>Seems somewhat backwards to use a high-tech digital computerized technology to impair throttle response, but I guess that is what automotive engineers get paid for. . . :smile:

It's hard work to over design something. Just think of Rube Goldberg. He's my favorite.

 

i would much rather have a cable actuated throttle. WAY more response and a better feel. i hated the cpu controlled throttle in my last car, and i'm sure i'll wish for a cable in this car. bliping the throttle for down shifts doesn't happen quick enough. i can't wait for the clutch-by-wire! *sarcasm*

 

Where can one get a copy of that article....
It sounds ...real interesting...
Any clue......?
I'm in NY on Long Island
Thanks in advance

Peace,
D

 

I don't know what stores sell the magazine, but the publisher of European Car Magazine is McMullen Argus Publishing, Inc., a subsidiary of PRIMEDIA, The Authoritative Source, 2400 E. Katella Ave., 11th floor, Anaheim, CA 92806.
Phone 714-939-2400, Fax 714-978-6390 Back Issues (and this will be one soon) 866-601-5199. You can probably call this # and get a single copy. Good luck.

 

There is the mag. MiniWorld. It is mostly geared tward the classic Mini, but there are articals for the new MINI. I would guess that this mag. would have to change with the times if they want to keep fresh. Mini World

Also, Have you tried the 31 software upgrade? This took care of the exact problem of the revs droping too low. It also seemed to make the shifting smoother and gave it (in my mind) more power.

 

>>i would much rather have a cable actuated throttle. WAY more response and a better feel.

Since we engineers have to stick up for each other occasionally, I feel obliged to say that the response & feel you are lamenting is not BECAUSE of the lack of a cable, but rather the way that BMW has (at this point in time) been able to "balance" all of the performance/driveability/emissions/cost considerations of "their implementation" of the drive-by-wire. The good news is that this same lack of a cable interface allows the "aftermarket" folks (and, eventually, BMW) to REBALANCE these considerations for us, in a way not possible with purely mechanical linkages. Perhaps some of us would give up a little of the smooth idle for better transient response... etc.

I think the recent engine software upgrade of the MINI (which helped many owners of poorly performing cars) shows other benefits of this new approach. The entire throttle/engine interface can now be updated with software, rather than replacement of (expensive) hardware parts. And, for future generations of MINI's with 4 wheel drive, sequential transmissions, and other niceties, the electronic throttle almost becomes a necessity.

My Golf VR6 was the first car I drove with "drive-by-wire" (as opposed to cable actuated), and I was frankly amazed at how well it worked. The entire system has been rock-solid, from a function & performance point of view, since I purchased the car three years ago.

Now, one can remember fondly the days of adjusting "points", setting the timing, and "balancing" the 45DCOE Weber carb's on your older cars (I had a BMW 2002 with dual 45DCOE Webers... and the linkage had to be adjusted or checked almost continually). Their simplicity was elegant in many respects. However, that car didn't even have a RADIO, was not nearly as fast as the MCS, and it REALLY had poor throttle response. Well, maybe not "poor", but certainly "unpredictable"!

Anyway, I think we'll find that if BMW doesn't offer us better response characteristics for our MINI's; the Aftermarket WILL!

 

Well put DavidG!

 

Im curious if a lightened flywheel would really make a difference, or if the "brain" would just compensate for it.

Any clue?