I've only put 2 tanks through my '06 Justa, but the mileage has been pretty lackluster. I got about 520KM out of 46L, which is roughly 23MPG? It is lots of stop and go city traffic mixed with 5000-6000rpm "fun" driving on the backroads. Would that account for my lousy mileage, or is there something I need to do?

 

We beat this coasting in neutral vs. in gear thing to death a few times. Fact is that coasting in gear uses less fuel. Think about it: why would Mini make the newer cars engines shut down at stoplights in neutral if they didn't use a significant amount of gas idling (Euro cars only)? And when I was a boy I could get 12 gallons of gas, a 6 pack of Bud, and a pack of Winstons for 5 bucks and get change back. Been there, done that! (And gas is still cheap IMO)

 

I was getting low 40's on my cooper until I put new tires and wheels on the car going from the the Conti 175 65/15 to a 205 50/16 General UHP. Now I'm lucky to get high 30's on the highway.

 

With California gas:

two-lane cruising on 175/65-15 Conti = 39 mpg
two-lane cruising on 205/50-16 Star Spec = 35 mpg
spirited driving on 205/50-16 = 29 mpg

 

I'm jealous.

My gen 1 MCS only gets 21 mpg on average. I try not to drive too spiritedly most of the time.

 

justaCooper/econoCooper

I've been getting about 50mpg, manually calculated during the nice summer weather. The odometer reads miles pretty good. Tank fillups can be uneven, so averaging over many tanks is best. About 26 miles to work each way, about 15 stop lights/signs each way, rolling hills. I turn off the car for looooong stoplights (it's in the Mini manual). Average about 35mph per tank (which doesn't include the turned off time at stoplights. When I wasn't turning off the car, it was showing just under or about 30mph during a tankful). I try to hit 4000rpm at least once or twice a day. It seems to help gas mileage. But most of the time it's under 2000. Using 93 octane. Mid NJ so low elevation. Only had highway driving early in the breakin period for one day. It's an easy life this Mini has.

Had an '02 Focus ZX3 with 205-50-16 tires and only got in the low 30s. Tire/wheel upgrades are tempting, but I got a speeding ticket in the Focus and spending money in court and at the pump, well, I guess I'll just have to get my kicks with maximizing mpg. Not that it only means driving really slow. Driving 25mph in third or fourth behind slow drivers is not getting me, or them, good gas mileage. Use the brakes sparingly. Keep speed through the corners. Conserve momentum. Drive smoothly. No mid curve corrections. Feather the gas. Avoid stopping at stoplights. Know their habits. Most lights you have, at best, a 1 out of 3 chance of it being green. Some lights 100% chance of being red. You're just going against the timing.

Had a couple '78 Fiestas and got low to mid 40s, but never this high. Had a '91 Escort that got low 40s. Totally better car this Mini.

Coasting vs gas off. If the Mini cuts off the gas flow, does it also keep the valves open? Engine compression is engine breaking. Conserve momentum.

 

I have an '05 S. Got 38 mpg on a trip from OH to NC driving like my grandma's grandma Tried not to exceeded 55MPH or 3000rpms. Not the most exciting driving but hella-efficient