Ah, the 1800 lb CRX...recently departed. I can't decide whether it's funny or tragic that the MINI weighs just a bit less than my old '76 Capri. Sure, it's got airbags and all sorts of other stuff, but still...

 

I know what you mean - two years ago when the R56 had just come out, I remember being embarrassed for all of the R53 owners that were complaining that the R56 was "too fat", or "diminished the brand" or was "too soft". Seriously, compared to the original Mini, any MINI is a porcine abomination of excess - the differences between the R53 and R56 is just petty hair-splitting in comparison.

 

I weighed my 09 Mini Cooper S the other day at work on our scales with half a tank of gas and stock wheels and got 2615lbs. Now with my 4 pounds per corner lighter wheels I should come in right at 2600lbs with the same fuel level. Not bad for todays cars. Porsche 911s were around this weight back in the 70-80s.

 

It'd be nice if you fill up on gas, reset the trip meter and write down the odometer, and keep track of all gallons consumed so accurate gas mileage can be calculated. For all my cars, whenever I go to the gas station I always top off, write down the odometer and the trip meter, and reset the trip meter. Gas mileage = trip meter / gallons of gas pumped.


With this information you can even correct for your wheel/tire size change. Keep in mind that the mileage you get on your trip will probably be the best you'll ever achieve.