The mini also has a heavier flywheel than most - this actually HELPS acceleration off the line since it stores energy if you rev "properly" before launch. By "properly" I mean maybe 4k+ if you're on a dragstrip, but lower if you're at an intersection and not trying to sound like a WRC racer on launch control... It does take a deft "touch" to launch fairly hard and not either bog the little motor, chirp the tires, or inappropriately over-rev for conditions.

Chows has it right, but there is a way you can stay in the higher-torque area of the curve on launch, it's either appropriate clutch slip (around town) or appropriate limited wheelspin (controlled conditions only). You want just enough slip to stay "revved up" until your road speed catches up with your speed-when-firmly-in-gear. This timing is very small, usually a fraction of a second, but makes all the difference between a bog and moving off smartly.

I guess the short answer is the German "Ubung macht die Meister" - "practice makes the Master" (a better saying than "practice makes perfect").

Have fun practicing! ("honey - I wasn't racing, I was practicing!")

 

LondonCalling, you're absolutely right, there are actually 3 setting for the DSC, not 2. At first, I thought there was just on and off, but, when you think you've turned it off, its actually partially off. If you hold down the DSC button for 10 seconds, it will turn off all the way. At least, that's how it works on the R56.

 

When I stopped in for a test drive in October of 02 the only thing the dealer said was

'slip the clutch off the line or you'll think it is a dog...do that and you'll have plenty of power'

been doin it for 65,000 with no ill effects. if I fail to do it right I can sure tell...

 

How is the R56 in comparison? Higher torque at lower revs should make it much better off the line.

 

Problem with slipping the clutch is that replacing it will set you back $2k according to the dealer.

 

I've never felt that my 06 has been slow off the line. I'm not a big fan of clutch dumps, seems so cruel to my little car. Once the clutch is out it really scoots.

 

I have the JCW power and it still is slow until about 3000Rs, but unless you bog down off the line, it pulls nicely. I never bother with trying to be fast off the line, but power comes in after about 20 feet and it's "hold on!" However, it's much more fun above 3000 in 2-3-4, with midrange passing almost as good as my E46 M3 was.

 

If you all want to understand accelerating along the torque curve, see the graph here. Just an example of somebody's 06 MCS

Torque is the top curve. Note the peak acceleration is at 4K.

The bogging down you feel at 3K is very real, just look at the dip in the graph. The torque curve is fairly flat from 3750 to 5K (albeit not really flat) then drops off meaning over 5K, your accelerating slower. At 6K your accelerating slower than the bog you feel.