I drive an '06 MCSa, and haven't had any problems at all - but then I tend to give it more gas than is perhaps absolutely necessary when starting off the line...

I leave DSC engaged, and even use the AC on occasion, and still don't have this problem.

 

Well, my previous cars were an Infiniti G35 and an Acura TL, so I have been guilty as charged. But while there are occasional lapses when I don't give enough gas (deep in thought, etc.) that's not the problem I see...

There are times, and it just happened again today, where there is a definite "lag" when accelerating from a stop. It almost feels as if something is holding back the car. Out of frustration, I typically gun it, and I get some of the power, but not all...

This is really strange behavior. I've suspected it wasn't normal, and other posts on this thread have confirmed my suspicions. What is really strange is that this only happens maybe 10-15% of the time. Otherwise the car puts me back in the seat when I need it to.

When I take the car in for my first service (another 4000 miles), I will double check to see if there are any software updates. I'm not counting on it. In the mean time, I do have the Alta CAI and 15% pulley in my garage waiting to be installed...

 

That's because DSC is never the problem... the problem is ASC+T, which comes with EVERY MCS, whether you choose DSC or not. Unfortunately you can't turn off ASC+T and leave on the rest of DSC, you get all or nothing.

In your case, mitchman... try turning off ASC+T and see if it helps. I think you'll find it does.

 

I too have noticed a slight lag if I don't rev the engine enough on launch in my MCS. Once I got used to it though, I hardley ever notice it.

The only thing that does bother me is when I'm heel and toe downshifting and try to blip the throttle. I notice a slight lag there as well which forces me to give a larger blip than I'm used to doing in my older BMWs. It's worse when I go from driving the BMW for a few days back to the MINI. As long as I remember to give it a bit more all is well, it just makes the process a little more frustrating to get right. Although I guess you could argue that also makes it more rewarding to perfect.

That being said, I wish that slight hesitation when first depressing the gas pedal wasn't there, but that is probably the only real complaint I can say about my car.

 

If the engine actually stalls, the only thing that I can think of that would cause it is a) not giving it enough gas and/or popping the clutch too quickly, or b) a software problem or something similar (as has been mentioned). The DSC could also cause a bog down (if wheelspin is detected), but should not stall your engine.

On my 06 JCW, I've felt bog down due to both cases -- but both times, it was due to my driving style (not getting the revs up enough before letting out the clutch, or spinning the tires with DSC on). These days, I typically lift the clutch around 3k RPMs, and disable traction control unless the weather is bad...

On a related note, I've been chirping my tires a little too frequently, and am noticing some significant differences in tread wear between the front and rear tires (after only 3500 miles)... Time for a tire rotation.

 

My 06 MCS doesn't have any lag (knock on wood?), and I'm loving the very quick response to the gas pedal - I assume it's the drive by wire....

At first, fear of stalling at lights and just unfamiliarity with the feel had me revving too high at starts, but now I got the clutch and rev feel down pretty good, just take off so smoothly I often find myself in 3rd and don't recall how I got there....

But then I've only chirped once... maybe I'm TOO easy on it!

I notice big differences in my skills when not driving my clunker shoes... all you barefooters out there probably do it best.

Anyway, whippin' through the gears is a blast!

Sir M.

 

I found the throttle lag frustrating too on my 06 MCSa, I can safely count about .3 to .5 seconds of lag when testing on N gear, a full floor or a slight gas makes no major difference. Combined with awkward auto shift logic (downshifting during throttle lag), at times it actually slows down while I desperatly need to accelerate in a hurry!

I have since learned to "cook" the gas padle for a second prior to hard acceleration and passing. But under some circumstances there is simply no time for such a well prepared launch, oh well I hope it can get some fix from 1st scheduled service. I have 15% pulley and HDI btw.

 

I didnt read thru this entirely, but I though I would bring this up.

If your complaining about the car not having any "go" while starting out with the AC on, then its just the placebo effect.

As soon as you go WOT, the AC shuts off wether you tell it to or not. The compressor will kill itself anytime you go WOT, so its no excuse.

 

Bingo: you do need to adjust to it. The thing to remember is that the MCS is really two cars: under 2800 rpm it's a low compression 1.6 litre econocar without much torque. Above that point the supercharger comes in and things change for the better.

A brisk getaway demands a reasonable amount of throttle and some clutch slip. Too little and you'll bog down, enough and you'll take off smartly with a touch of tire chirp, too much and the DSC may take offense.

You'd be well advised to practice this in non-critical situations.

Neil
05 MCS
96 M3

 

Nothing whatsoever to do with AC. This is about throttle lag. Someone else brought up the AC thing.



Thanks Neil, I'll try to keep that in mind!

 

After nearly 6K on a '06, I have experienced this throttle lag 3 times. Having owned V-8's, as well as many 4 cylinders (all but 1 or my 20+ cars have been manuals), can't come to a conclusion about the real cause.
The first time the lag happened it persisted over a period of 5 seconds or more. Definately wasn't because RPM's were too low. Could be due to DSC (or ASC +.) Luckily, I live in the sticks so having to merge with traffic from a standstill isn't a issue.

 

Does anyone know how the system actually works? Here's a guess:

1) Potentiometer at base of gas pedal (any adjustment here for slack?) sends a signal to the computer.
2) Computer sends a signal to a servo on the throttle body (any adjustment here?)

Anyone?

 

Especially in instances when the adrenaline is flowing ( i.e. eighteen wheeler is bearing down on you), one will have a tendency to floor the throttle and pop the clutch. With DSC, this will result in 5 seconds (more or less) of absolutely nothing more than just enough to roll you into the intersection. I never leave the DSC turned on except when the road surface is wet or icy. Ian's DSC Auto-off is the best aftermarket option you can buy: http://www.gbmini.net/MINIcircuit/index.shtml

 

Are you asking how the traction control works? It works off of the abs sensors. When it detects wheel spin it reduces the power to the wheels by cutting engine power.

 

I think he's asking how the throttle-by-wire works.

 

From what ive seen in the wiring diagrams, thats just about it.

The potientiometer or rheostat is near the top of the pedal. Its all one sealed housing.

As far as i can see, there is no adjustemt that you can do yourself, its all internal electronic stuff.

 

what it suffers from is "latency" I wonder how many milliseconds of latency is in the transfer

 

Always Blip....Never Bog. Its a matter of having sufficient revs before letting the clutch out; not a matter of the DSC. If you find your self in that bog situation throw the clutch in, blip the revs up and let the clutch back out and bye bye semi! Its second nature, you can't think about it. Practice in non stress situations. Blip...Blip...Blip!

 

Oh, about an hour's worth.

 

So have you been able to practice your take offs?

 

Well yeah, but when I'm trying to do it, it's no problem. It's only when I'm not thinking about it that I get caught out. I've been experimenting with double tapping. A quick tap on the throttle, then launch. It seems to be something I can do quickly, without squeeling tires, and it seems to solve the bog.

 

Geez, I am glad you guys are ok!!

I have an 03 MC with CVT and have never driven an S. With my care there is a momentary lag when you press the accelerator but it's something I've adjusted to or assumed was 'normal'. I may try turning off the DSC.

Having not ever driven an S I am wondering if my GP due in late October will have this problem you guys are talking about???

iflyMINI
03 MV Velvet Red & Loaded!!!

Due in late October GP1292!!! :impatient

 

does it happen right after you start the car, before it gets warmed up?
cause my 06 MCS wont spin the tires unless shes nice and warm

 

Exactly what I was trying to explain. The traction control has nothing to do with DSC. Traction Control and Stability control are two completely different systems with completely different purposes and functions. DSC does nothing in dry weather quick acceleration. ASC+T is the system that controls wheel spin (And prevents it by retarding engine function). DSC controls individual wheel braking to control abnormal yaw (Fishtailing, hitting an oil slick, etc). Unfortunatly on the Mini (And every other car I know of) these two systems are tied together.

 

Sounds like it needs more gas pedal. Have you driven other manual transmission cars previously? I don't have anything except ABS on mine, so can't speak for all the computer gadjetry or its impact on performance.

I also agree with the earlier post that 1st gear is just to get the car barely moving followed by shifting into 2nd gear less than a second later, plus lots of gas as second gear engages. I think you might need to relax a little on the merge into traffic and accept that 1st gear isn't going to get you going fast enough to safely enter traffic, that it requires second gear (or even 3rd depending on how fast traffic is moving) to make the real merge.

One last thing, are you coming to a complete stop prior to merging? As a rule you never want to do that (regardless of automatic or stick). It seems to me that is a regional thing with some parts of the country having a lot more drivers who do that than others. For instance, almost never see that in Chicago. See it all the time in KC even though there is less traffic here.