If it functions the way you say it does, then I see your point. But I echo bamatt's request for proof of what you're saying. Are you suggesting that software dictates the rate of the needle's motion, not engine temp? All I know is, I get in my car every morning and keep an eye on that gauge until the car is warmed up, and I don't rev above 3k rpms until it's at midline. It takes longer to get there on cold mornings. Without a gauge, this functionality is lost, correct? All that the R56 has is an indicator light to show when the engine is too hot?

 

Again can you please tell me where you are getting this information?

update: nevermind, I just got of the phone with MiniUSA. According to them the R52/R53 temperature gauge is an analog gauge that does reflect the actual temperature in real time so lava, it is not a bogus gauge.

 

I have heard that the engine in the R56 is so modern that there is no longer a need to warm it up. I've heard this about the newest BMWs as well. Also, on page 36 of the new Owner's Manual, it says:

"Do not let the engine warm up with the vehicle at a standstill. Move off immediately at a moderate engine speed."

So maybe the temp gauge is no longer necessary and an indicator light will do just fine. I will probably still be warming it up due to old habit.

 

Bamatt, thanks for verifying that this is bogus, it would still be interesting to see the reference on where lava "read" this...

 

Do folks really not understand the purpose of a gauge vs. an idiot light, and the value it provides? See posts #11 and #14 for details...

 

Chris - you are very cautious no doubt, but for what? Where did you come up with this rpm restriction? Its fine if thats what you do, but to me it sounds like you are trying to create a good reason for reading the lower portion of the gage. But the other 99% of Mini owners that have been ignoring your ritual don't seem any worse off for it.

As for where I heard this, I read it in the comments of one of the MINI blogs. I think it was Ian Cull that made the comment, or confirmed it. I thought he is someone that knows the electronics in the car. So email him yourself. I don't think its any big secret.

I can't speak for Ask Mini - you really called Ask Mini about this? Well I wish I could say I always get good info from them, but so far I don't! Some of the reps I've spoke to there have told me that they were experienced primarily with BMWs and didn't know the minis.

 

So you have no link(s) to back up what you posted... and question bamatt's source which he posted... I guess you also refrute those of us with R53's that understand and have 1st hand experience using our temp gauge?

 

Ok - got the link from my browser history. I'd gone back asking about the chrono so it was not too deep! I can't believe I'm doing this but I'm not surprised that you guys would not trust me.

Here is the link:

http://dbmini.us/she-is-british/

and the quote:

Now, I'm pretty sure that's Ian Cull. And frankly I think I trust him on this over an AskMini rep. I don't think I exagerated, but you make your own interpretation. But to me its obvious its an indicator light dressed as a gage.

 

The owners manual for the R53 says the exact same thing.

 

My temp gauge does not peg "exactly half-way"... and tops out differently based on city or hiway driving combined with ambient temps. Guess MINI gave me a real temp gauge, imagine that! Hey, that matches nicely with the "real hood scoop" on my R53, Sweet!

 

I just can not believe this thread. Completely overrun by you guys "defending" the old temp gage. This is the same crew that points fingers at R56 buyers and says we can't stomach any criticism of the car. This is a joke.

 

You are the joke
Thanks for providing some much needed laughing relief. Your biased opinions and poisonous attacks are certainly for the books

 

I can't wait for the next lava thread!

 

"defending" the old temp gauge?

OR

"correcting" someone's mistaken belief?

 

So does the manual for my Honda Accord and when I brought it in for its first scheduled service they reiterated the point. Its so bass-akwards from what we've been told to do all these years that it just plain sounds wrong, but apparently some of the newer engines are different.

I followed the advice and I've got 130K on the Accord and its never given me a moments trouble. I'm not one to second guess the folks that made the car.

dean.

 

Chin up, Greg.

dean.

 

OMG OMG OMG no way... you come in here & say something incorrect about the temperature gauge then I call MiniUSA to verify it, then you tell me that they don't know what they are talking about & you now say that people are falsely "defending" the T53 temperature gauge in some attempt at taking a jab at the R56. Do you read what you write? While there are plenty of 1st gen owners criticizing the new Mini to the point of ridiculousness. You are no better because all you do is go & start threads or heavily participate in threads whose sole purpose is to criticise the R53 in some attempt at making your Mini seem superior. Do you realize that you have crossed the line & now are acting just as bad as the people bashing to R56 to no end?

We do agree on one thing though, this thread is a joke

 

Listen. What is your problem? STOP trying to accuse me of dishonesty! I am not "trying to create a good reason for reading the lower portion of the gauge." What I'm doing is a good reason for reading the gauge. I'm not creating anything. As far as where I "came up with this rpm restriction," it's a pretty common general guideline that I've seen promulgated here by people who know what they're talking about, and a hell of a lot more than 1% of people reading this probably do something similar. Stop trying to turn a useful discussion into a fight.

Are you kidding me?! I asked you, civilly, for the source of your information. You have a lot of nerve getting hostile and telling me to e-mail someone myself.

 

For crying out loud - these guys are over the top.

 

It's you. You provoke people with your comments. I have seen no other poster who has ignited more flame wars over the R56. Sure everyone has their moments but you down right bash the 1st generation mini to no end & I for one am sick of it. You have even gone so far as to tell us 1st gen owners that we should "get lost" from the 2007 threads.

 

Lava, get a life and get a girlfriend. Too much time on the computer!

 

You are over the TOP. Hello McFly, anybody home?

 

I'm sure that modern engines are much less prone to damage due to being run cold than the ones being built a few decades ago. However, the manual suggests "a moderare engine speed" until the engine is warmed up. I watch the gauge and don't really stomp on the gas until it reaches temperature. Even a modern engine is going to be hurting if you start it up on a cold winter morning and go right into a 6k rpm run through the twisties.

The manual is just saying that it's safe to drive the car as soon as you start it, so you don't need to let it sit in the driveway - not that it can go from a dead cold stop to high rpms without harm.

 

But you have 7,000 more posts that he does.

Ut oh ...look out ...the new guy is trying to be funny.

dean.

 

Yeah, since July 2002

And thank you very much, I have a life outside of NAM. A wonderful wife and my 3 month old baby boy who loves to motor!