When does it work? How frequently can I access it? Do you feel any difference in your car?

 

The overboost kicks in when you floor the gas pedal. Yes, you can use it anytime (if you don't mind crappy gas mileage and a lot of speeding tickets! LOL!), and you notice a rather significant increase in power when the pedal is floored.

 

Overboost is like when Captain Kirk hits the com button and says, "Scotty, what just happened?"
And Scotty says, "I dinna know, Captain."

The steering wheel jumps a bit from torque steer; hold on tightly and admire the mixed palate of colors whizzing by you. See the gleeful faces of the children as they wave. Enjoy the up-close view of butterflies as the squash on your windshield.
It's the fast forward button on your car. Your time machine. Ice cream with no calories.
It's more boost on demand.

 

you already have speeding tickets??? excellent work soldier!

 

I have felt it several times!!! I am a believer!!!!

 

Cool! Ok, now the overboost lasts about 10 secs right? after shutting off, how much time before I can engage it again?

 

I think he "tested the envelope" with his 56 before he went back to a 53.

Matt

 

This is how it went at track day as an example:

enter track from pit; head-check over right shoulder and scan mirror (all clear).
Floor it (overboost phenomenom) until turn markers.
Brake hard.
Look through turn, point wheel, floor it (overboost), let up on gas for a moment to induce oversteer, floor it again (overboost), brake hard, floor it, brake hard, floor it, etc.

I was rewarded with a whiplash-inducing burst of pep every time I stomped on it. I never came back from the well with an empty bucket. One of my track instructers giggled, in fact.
Very gratifying indeed.

 

Um, I don't think it runs out. The "overboost" kicks in when the gas pedal is floored, plain and simple. It's not really anything that crazy, just some extra power when you floor it.

No way you can keep it floored in any gear but 5th or 6th for more than 10 seconds though. You'll be bouncing off the rev limiter if you try.

 

I'm looking forward to the "overboost" experience once past the break in period. But the crappy gas mileage thing is relative; my daily driver (non-Mini) chugs the petrol at a rate of 19mpg.