I own three Minis. 2010s coupe, 2004s jcw and a 2012s coupe. The 2012 is mostly driven by my daughter. A few days ago I went to the airport to pick up the car, so I got to drive it a good 1/2 hour. I drive the 2010 and the 2004 a lot, so am familiar with them.
I was very surprised at the difference in performance between the 2010 and the 2012. The 2012 seems much more powerful and raw in performance. With sport mode and traction control disabled, the 2012 was a beast compared to the 2010. Both are automatics, but the 2012 when slowing down pops and burbles like crazy like my 04 stick. Is this normal or did I just get and odd car The 2012 is not a JCW car, so I am confused. I can do anything to the 2010 and cannot get a pop or burble or anything of that sort out of it.
Let me know what you think.
Thanks

 

Not a gen2 guy...
But based on the years....
The 2010 is a n14, and the 2012 is a n18.....look at the valve cover to be sure...
The n18 added varrible valve timing to BOTH intake and exaust valves....also lessened carbon issues....
The 2010 might be due for a cleaning...usually walnut shells....the valves get covered in carbon...results in a power loss, and eventually loss of compression....
But to add....some folks in reviews when the change to the n18 was made preferred it to the n14 (even in the JCW varration) due to the change in tourque band....so even if they are both 100%, there is a real difference......

 

Here's some information about the engine update: http://www.motoringfile.com/2010/05/...ines-in-depth/

The pop/burble was removed in the 2007 R56 and came back in 2011: http://www.motoringfile.com/2010/07/...e-pop-is-back/

 

Thanks guys, good information. I did not know that. Looks like I might sell the 2010 and get a newer one.

 

163 (I think) vs 181hp might have something to do with it...

 

The 2010 MCS had 172 HP, the 2011 had 181 HP. Glad I chose the 2011 instead of the 2010 I was looking at. Plus, the 2010 had 44k, versus the 21k on my "new" 2011. The 2010 had a better color, I liked the dark Grey with the black roof and black custom wheels, but I am just fine with my BRG, white roofed 2011! Now to do something about those stock wheels. Or maybe I should wait until I have made my first payment to the bank?

 

Save yourself a lot of money, get the 2010 tuned. Period.


I've driven my friends, 2012 S (with the n18, which he shortly traded for a 2011 JCW with the N14), and his JCW. Both are 6 speeds. Neither of them in stock form hold a candle to my tuned 2010.


Is it just me, but was the pop and burble cool for about the first 5 minis of driving than it becomes pretty annoying?

 

I love my pop and burble. It adds so much character, I'd not want to live without it.

I was shocked that the brand new 2013 S Bayswater (auto, listed at 183hp?) that I dynoed last year put down as much power to the wheels as my 05 JCW (210 hp kit). I saw very little powertrain loss on the 2013.

 

I won't argue n14 vs n18 but I spent a year trying to get that popping tuned out of my trans am when I put a borla on it, drove me nuts. My wifes 2011 r56 does it in sport mode, my 2013 r55 does not, different exhaust with 2 mufflers, glad mine don't.