Well, agreed... but does that mean one is working correctly and one is not? Shouldn't two machines, given the same variables, perform the same way? If not, what would be factors that would influence the functioning?

I gave the dealership a call and let them know that the loaner functions much differently than my car with the sport button on. I'm interested in seeing what they found out. I wonder if the issues I had with the control unit crashing back a year ago maybe effected the programming of the tranny box, even after the new unit was installed and re-programmed.

 

Were they both level and holding steady speed at the time?

 

Exactly. While ideally I would have them drive side-by-side for an extended period, from what I could tell at 70mph for an extended period, the loaner car was at 3200rpms while mine was at 4000-100rpms. Both are the same model year, 07, and both are MCS autos.

Interestingly, the loaner displayed "sport" in the little window of the tach, but mine does not. Mine has the SatNav but loaner doesn't.

 

The "sport" display in the tach was a software change that appeared around the Aug 07 build time.

 

Mine was built in May 07- got a sport button (and I'm not afraid to use it!)

I even bought the T-shirt!

 

Mine was built in april 07. MC w auto. when the sport button is used, the big letter "DS" appears on the tach window.

 

come on dchautin you had to laugh alittle at LynnEl's comments. The penny loafer comment was priceless. Keep it up LynnEl we all need to have a sense of humor

 

The sport button works fantastic in slushbox equipped Cooper S models (R56 and R55). I like the more agressive shifting points of the AISIN automatic with it turned ON. In fact, us auto owners have 2 or 3 sport modes to choose from!

 

uh........NO not funny at all.

sorry...I am not happy right now about having an impotent mini cooper..

mine is not a go cart..it's a slow cart.

They will have to come to my house and pry this loaner away from me..I am not giving it back..they can have my pos.

 

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hahah THAT would be funny. They call you to tell you that your car is ready and you just insist that they can keep it cause you would like to keep the loaner instead

 

The bottom line is the OP's MINI should have had the sport button as should all 2nd Gen MINI's.I just spoke with my MA regarding the missing sport mode button.His response was "huh".Then he went on to say that the OP's MINI should never have passed through the VDC.I say keep the loaner!

 

Well, in regards to my question, the service tech said that it was due to my tires being 17" and the loaner having 16" tires. One his test drive he says all's well with it, although it does need to go back in for the timing chain adjustment. I believe I'm satisfied.

 

Hmmm....that would be true if the outer diameter of the tire were different which is certainly a possibility.

 

I thought BMWs read their speed from the differentials.

 

Hmmm I don't know. I know that it's not true for the first generation of MINI's.

 

In your scenario, it sounds like your car was in 5th gear while going 70 MPH, whereas the loaner was in 6th gear going the same speed. I'm not familiar with the auto transmission in the MINI so I can only guess--were you in manual shift mode at the time?

 

I don't know how it's set up in the MINI either since it's a FWD.

 

No, both were in automatic sport mode. I'm admittedly not the most knowledgeable "manual" shifter, but I would certainly post if I had them in different gears. I'm not looking to waste people's time. :-) Everything in both cars was identical from the driver's seat perspective, except for the rpms.

So, the question I would have is, why would the sport mode put the tranny in 6th in one car and 5th in the other for the same speed. Unless, of course, it just the wheel size? It makes a 3.1415 inch difference in the circumferences of the wheels.

 

Not necessarily....generally the larger wheel would have a smaller tire from the factory in order to retain the same exact circumference. Unless one of the cars has aftermarket tires on there, the circumferences would be the same.

 

Make sure they don't install a "placebo" Sport button either... Some drivers will be satifisfied that the word "Sport" appears in the tach when they push it yet there won't be any discernable difference in steering or throttle response.

They did that to me at Beijing MINI. They also did a paint touchup on my right front fender. I had to tell my kids not to eat the paint from that fender.

 

Just eat around the paint.

 

I completely understand dchautin I just was getting a kick out of LynnEl's comments, but if I were in your shoes I would be upset as well. Good luck getting it resolved. Until then have fun with that loaner

 

Well, thanks! I can appreciate the OP being pissed at his car not having a sport button. But, he may also note I was the first to respond that if he has an R56, it should have a sport button. So, maybe he should appreciate my "always" being on line and learn to channel his temper better. Yeah, I am sarcastic, ocasionally humourous, opinionated and, sometimes, even helpful. If a bunch of you would rather do without me, I can live with that, but I'm hardly going worry about the tantrums of a newbie with a few posts.

 

dchautin, if you're really after better performance trade it in and make sure they give you a good value and then upgrade to the MCS. I haven't driven the MC and have only had my MCS for about 10 months now but I love it. Without a doubt it's the funnest car I've ever owned

 

Pissy as he is, there's no reason he should take a hit because the car was built wrong. It's all electronics and should be a quick fix to install the sport button. If not, they should replace his car.