I mean, there are alot of ponies under there, yet leaving a red light takes like a year to get going. 1st and 2nd seem so slow, you have to get it past 3500 RPMs to really get a jump. Is this the DSC I have installed? Or are they all like this...
jason

No, I'm not confused with the actual R56 turbo models.

Believe it or not, the supercharger's boost doesn't produce noticeable results until about 2500rpm (in my experience). It spins from the get-go, of course, but it just doesn't have much punch right off the bat. Above 2500, though....

The DSC will only come into play if you start to spin your wheels and it'll be obvious when that happens--you'll hear and feel the engine cut power to the wheels.

Personally, I'm okay with the sluggish start--I have to deal with stop-and-go traffic every morning and evening. The only thing worse than that would be leaping into the back of the M5 in front of me (if he can afford an M5, he can also afford to ruin my life).

well i know exactly what you are talking about when you say that the starts can be slow, but if you are trying to spin your tires during a launch peak torque sits around 4000 rpm so thats where i launch from, and i dont see a point in launching below 3500 rpm

slow sluggish start indeed. i almost stalled many times trying to get used to it when i first got my mini. but punchin it to launch is always fun.

Isn't this one of the reasons they made the gearing changes in '05? Also, I noticed a cold air intake helped a bit with this in my '02, though I might have been crazy.....

Glad I am not the only one. Was starting to think it was just mine...
jason

Yeah, that is what I was thinking - the shorter gearing on the 05s/06s, and even the auto MCS, makes a difference.

So what mods help with this lag? Anyone?

My 2003 JCW is stuck in peanut butter below 2500 rpm. 0-10 looks like I can't drive stick. Kinda funny actually.

A combination of about 1600 rpm and a very slight slipping of the clutch will produce buttery smooth starts... Or if you want a faster start, just use a lot more rpm, like say 3000-3500. Your results may vary depending on your gearing and level of mods, but this ought ot get you in the ball park.

Today was the first time I was driving around with the a/c on this season. Man, talk about a difference. But then again, I had a full complement of passengers.

I don't often beat anyone off the line. That's one reason I can't wait to get to 3rd. (Traffic lights were obviously not designed by MINI drivers.) I would have to say that 3rd gear is my favorite, as I often run up the RPM's there just for the heck of it! Asking myself, what's the rush to get TO work?

if i don't let the clutch slip it's a rather sluggish and slow and almost boggy start...unless i let it rev to 3~3.5k, in which case i almost always get a little bit of wheel spin and the dsc would kick in. i'd imagine having the lsd would cure this a bit

Oh c'mon, a little clutch slip and a few more revs on launch and the MCS launches like a champ, and drama free. Only problem is grabbing 2nd too hard and having the DSC nannie kick in (have to remember to shut that d@mn thing OFF on launch).

(and to be honest, I sometimes don't rev enough or let the clutch out too fast, then she's a dog off the line, but that's more a problem between the pedals and the steering wheel - AKA, me.)

The 05/06 tranny really helps in this area . The Mini will never really be a stop light bandit with its weight, front wheel drive and relatively low hp all working against it . Perky yes, fast, not really .

Some say that turning off the DSC helps.
I just did a 15% pulley, and while logically it shouldn't help at launch (the SC only engages with heavy throttle) I swear that it doesn't bog as much off the line.
It's definitely not 'just you'.

Exactly what I was thinking!

The DSC will absolutely bog you down on a quick launch. Turn it off, which means the DSC light will be ON.

Lets be honest here... the mini is not a drag racer. It has the same traits of all small displacement engines, that is low torque at the start of the RPM range. Of course the cam profile has something with this too. In order to get that rush at start you have to get the RPM up the power band. That being said, many drivers of larger cars are forced to eat my dust if they want to play. By the time you get 2nd gear and the SC starts to sing they are toast.
The downer to drag racing is that it only lasts a few seconds but in the MINI you can have fun all the time. I love to watch those guys driving SUV's and monster trucks and other inflated motor vehicles struggle to keep the MINI in sight. Remember when you watch the space shuttle lift off it is slow to start but is usually top eliminator.

Beanryboy, just Punch It! Your right 1st and 2nd aren't great but not has bad as some are saying here . Make sure you turn off the DSC, this makes a huge diff. if your car senses a traction loss. Also do you have any mods?

I was under the impression that adding a SC pulley would help in this department, especially getting a 17% or even 19% to get more kick earlier. Is this the case? Haven't recieved my 15% yet, but it should be here in a few days. Insight?

My '05 with a 15% pulley is an utter hooligan of the line.

Of course the pre-flight check list is

1) Turn off DSC
2) Hold 4K revs
3) First gear
4) Slip the clutch and plant gas pedal into the bulkhead
5) ****** second as the rev limiter arrives
6) re-bury gas pedal (wait for the limiter)
7) ****** third
8) re-bury gas pedal
9) Grab fourth (at just short of 6500 revs)

10) Collect timing slip and look at the prety black lines that you left in the first two gears....

You really need to rev it and rev it hard, it is utterly gutless below about 4K, so you have the 4200-6200rpm band to play with - stay in it and the thing will fly.

Stab your foot on the floor in second with 1200revs on the clock and you can count to some pretyy high numbers before it accelerates.

Max

ps. The above is not that 'clutch friendly'

No mods yet, I have only had the car a month. I have several things planned, but as of now, stock. I don't want to drag race, I just want to go at a good start. I guess I just need to give him some revs....
jason

Ozark got it right.

Your talking about a small, hi revving 4-banger

Go google torque curves ... you accelerate along the torque curve. If you want monster torque down low, you bought the wrong car (in general). If you want to keep the acceleration as fast as possible, stay at the peak of the torque curve. As soon as it starts to drop, you slow down acceleration.

A whole month and no mods yet . Just joking. Get some more air to your engine, CAI and an Exhaust system. Then it will start breathing better.

I'm with MaxN. DEFINITELY have the DSC off. I've beat most everything "my size" and a little bigger off the line, and I'm still straight stock (Celicas, Hondas, Accords, etc) I haven't dusted a 68 Camaro yet, though.
Keep the revs high - that's where the torque is.
Another option that I've heard of is Stage II on the dsc. There is some thread somewhere on here or on the miniusa website that talks about it. It's some kind of keyswitch position 2, holding the dsc button down for 10 secs... I can't remember. Anybody else ever heard of that?
In the meantime, I'll do some research. It's supposed to make it "quicker out of the hole", but not break tire/pavement contact.