Hi everyone!

I just ordered my new MCS in November and am expecting it any day now (I think 10 Jan is the estimated delivery date, which my dealer says should be right on) but I happened upon some other message boards at some other enthusiast site and found that alot of MCS owners were getting supremely crappy gas mileage. Anyone else had similar experiences? I think I have a bit of the first-new-car jitters, but the 12 mpg performance that some people were reporting is terrifying me. Anyone able to placate me?

I'm new to the forum, so if this is a topic that's been dealt with thousands of times before then I humbly apologize. (maybe someone could point me in the direction of some other posts, if this is the case?)

Thanks much!
~Kelley :smile:

 

Kelley,
I drive my S really HARD. I get ~ 21.
It is hard not to drive it hard but
if you do I would bet you'll get around 27.
IMHO.

 

12 mpg sounds like an extreme. Most people with the MCS seem to be getting at least in the mid-20s.

Fuel economy has been my number one disappointment with this car. I have a regular Cooper, and have yet to get 35 mpg on a tank. I think that the EPA rating of 37 mpg for highway travel is inflated and inaccurate. 37 mpg (at least in my car, and if I am to believe the computer) is only possible at less than 60 mph and with no elevation change.

It all depends on how you drive, but I can't seem to get anything better than 18 mpg in the city, so I guess 12 mpg with an MCS is actually possible with city driving.

_________________
2003 Red/White Cooper - Brookline, MA

 

Hi Kelley,
I get 20 to 22 mpg without highway use. That's traction control off, shifting at the redline, a lot of full throttle. If I take a road trip it goes up to 26-28 depending on cruise speed. Much better mileage should be expected if you drive like human being. On the highway, at 60-65 mph you should get very high 20s. To get 12 mpg you'd have to have something wrong with the car.

PerfPow

 

I've had mine for almost two weeks, and now have it broken in with 1500 miles on it. The computer has been averaging between 30 and 33, but with the old fashon hand calculations its getting between 26 and 29 mpg. Its been getting better with every tank of gas, and yes, most is highway miles.

Biggest complaint so far is when going to fill up I keep parking to far in front ot the pump. Its short.

Nik

 

I get about 20-25 mpg driving around the city with my MCS and that is with me usually beating on it on a regular basis. I just got back from a trip to alabama from Indiana and got 33 mpg. I think the reason that people get such bad gas mileage is because they are not running 93 (premium) gas. I filled up one tank with 87 and my gas mileage went down the tubes this is the same as my last car 98 Trans Am. Hope this helps you. And The Cooper S's Rule you will love it.

 

I drive mostly in the city and get 25 consistently. When I let her stretch her legs on the highway i get 33-35, which pleases me. My other car is a Cavalier LS (with the Z24 2.4liter engine) and it only gets 19-21... now that sux.

 

I must be unusual, my mileage since delivery (12/11/02) started at 31.7 and as I have gone through the break-in period, increased to 37.3 today. And the best part is, that is according to the computer. When hand calculated, I am always 1.5 to 2.3 miles better than indicated. I drive about 40% city 60% highway mileage and have just over 2100 miles currently. I anticipate that this mileage should stay around 35-37, now that I can really begin kicking it in the pants on a regular basis. I would expect only around 28-30 when exclusively driving in the big city. Probably 25 or so when autocrossing or tracking the car. I'll keep you informed.

Scott :smile: :smile: :smile:

 

Ooops, sorry you were questioning mileage for an MCS mine is merely a Cooper.
Scott

 

Thanks everyone! This is making me feel loads better. Although with the gas mileage most are reporting it really does seem like the EPA estimates are... um... rough, at best. Oh well, can't be perfect and I'm not going to sweat it--it's still better than many other, significantly less entertaining vehicles...

I 'preciate it, thanks!
~Kelley

 

It's ok, Scott... I'll try not to think any less of you

 

There's nothing "merely" about a Cooper

 

I have a non S MINI Cooper and if the on board computer is correct, I am getting great mileage. I was driving back from a neighboring town last week and had the cruise control set on 50 mph and was getting 45.7 miles per gallon. At 70 mph on the freeway, I am getting about 34-35 miles per gallon. If somebody is getting 12 miles per gallon, they have a serious problem either with the car or with their math.

Al

 

7MPG . According to the computer for the first half mile accelerating onto the freeway... Mid 20's for mostly city very hilly driving. The computer indicates about 40 on the freeway at an indicated 70+. By hand always results in 2-4% better than the computer.