Why did they change the mini cooper S 2007 to a turbocharged and not keep it as a supercharged? Supercharged seems better then the turbo.

 

They did it so they could get more power and better gas mileage. With new turbo technology there is virtually no turbo-lag.

What about supercharged seems better than turbo?

 

Still some lag, but only the virtual kind....

 

you need to drive both engines back to back. the new turbo engine is light years ahead of the supercharged one in the way it drives, power band, and fuel economy. i was also worried about the turbo like you, not any more.

 

Supercharged sounds nicer in my opinion, (with the help of a CAI and smaller pulley), but it is parasitic, because the engine must sacrifice some power in order to turn the supercharger.

The Turbo allows for much higher power gains, which are not parasitic.

Turbo is the wave of the future, and the easiest way to huge horsepower numbers.

 

Well said, jonnieoh,

Thats pretty much it exactly, nothing more to say.

Everyone can go home now

 

Because it is less expensive...

 

That's even better, Less expensive and more efficient. Win-win for all. Cool.

 

...nevermind the huge torque gain, refined Bosch ECU, or the improved fuel economy

 

Torque gained... top end lost. But that is not the question being asked... the question is why the change from supercharged to turbo... answer is cost. Like many other design changes in the R56, cost was the driving factor. The turbo is cheaper...

 

In the age we live in turbo's are not problem prone. At one time, yes they were, but those days are long gone.

Ryephile I'm looking forward to see how your turbo R56 runs on Monday.

 

And more efficient....But I still like my SC!

 

It is rare when a design change is a win-win for all concerned, but it happened in this! And that is pretty dang cool!

 

Losing the supercharger is not a win-win for many drivers... there are plenty of MINI enthusiasts who prefer the supercharger and its characteristics. Torque on a 2500 pound car is hardly critical... I prefer a broad power band and the ability to wind out an engine. The supercharger also gave MINI exclusivetivity. The turbo has given the MINI a more "refined" power band for broader appeal and is cheaper to build... so I can see where BMW may consider this a win-win. I consider it just another loss of unique character that was the MINI, and I'm sure others share the same sentiment.

 

And many who don't. That's just the way things are.

 

Yes.. exactly as I stated... more refined for broader appeal...

 

When I first heard turbo charged MINI I decided to buy a 2006 supercharged one so that they would have time to work out the bugs and do some develpoment work before it was time for me to buy my next MINI.

Now, having driven a turbo charged MINI, I was impressed with the torque band down low. I could not test the upper rpm range as I was on public roads. Turbo lag is a non-issue with the new motor and it's twin-scroll turbo. The sport button is a must have for the adjustment to the steering and throttle response.

The stock suspension and steering is quite numb feeling with significant body roll compared to the Sport Suspension Plus that I am used to but it still seems to handle well. I have not been able to test a car with the new Sport Suspension yet.

As for why a turbo, it comes down to effeciency, pollution control, power delivery, and cost. But apparently, so far, the turbo does not seem to lend itself too well to hotrodding. Nothing so simple as sliding on a new pulley. But it is early yet, time will tell. I still have a few more years before I will be buying another. I am patient.

Maybe they will have an AWD short wheelbase R53/R56 style available by then. Maybe even a refined center consul. I can always hope.

JOHO

P.S. I'll miss the whine.

 

Some folks find it more refined, some folks find it equally edgy but more compliant. There's so many ways of viewing this thing. The more time enthusiasts have with R56 the more various nuances are coming to light. The "broader appeal" idea was a theoretical way of understanding R56 early on, but things aren't that simple, imo.

 

I'm curious as to what you would quantify as cost cutting design changes you've found in the R56 vs the R53?

 

Getting pretty low in the bait bucket. Not enough worm left to hide the hook.

 

Hardly Critical????? Have you drove the R56 yet?
Even with more torque down low, you can still wind out the engine. What do you guys mean the top end power is loss on the turbo? I never noticed that...??? All I know is the lower torque has improved by a million miles~ and the fuel consumption has improved a lot on the new engine...

SC seems more exclusive, but the turbo is faster, more powerful, and more fuel efficient.

 

I like the supercharged 06 that I have, and I hate the interior on the 07. The console looks like something out of the comic books. I have driven turbos and do like them. I keep hearing that they have fixed the turbo lag, but if you know anything about driving or feeling how the car reacts, you will know that the lag is still there. That's my 2 cents.

 

Try the "search" button... it has been discussed at length in various threads...

 

Agreed... there is lag. The power also ends abruptly... all characteristics of turbo charged motors. They do tend to have higher fuel efficently... but so do hybrids. I do admit the thought of a diesel MINI would be very appealing... it would offer signifigant fuel savings.

 

We speculated a lot, that's about it. There may be the perception of of cost-cutting around some items, but just the opposite on others. Over all, folks driving them are pretty happy.