I won't trust MPG until the second or third tank because I'm still taking friends and co-workers for crazy test rides. Like I've said before in other threads, finding it hard to stay under 4500 rpm. Oh and once hard to stay under 100 mph. (It's ok, I had a cop in the car with me on that test run. :-D)

 

You guy make me feel bad...

It has been almost a week..120 miles on the car so far..got to do some more driving this weekend.

After 1200 miles and change of fluids, I will start playing around with this car. Until than, better keep it under 4-4.5..

 

I seem to be getting around 33 with my mixed driving (MCS). This is better than my wife gets on her '04 MC (~25), but she's mostly city driving.

 

clubspec330i--you're right, you need to DRIVE! Take the long way home, run extra "errands," whatever. I've had my car 8 days and have nearly 1000 miles. The longest trip was a "fun run" with the club--160 miles. The rest was...motoring.

 

It's great to hear that the higher fuel economy ratings on the new engines seem to be justified. Anyone new to MINI, be aware that the mpg calculated by the computer can be off by quite a bit, as much as 3 or 4 mpg, so the only way to really figure out what you're getting is to calculate it yourself at fill-ups.

Hopefully the new engines, in addition to their greater efficiency, turn out to be as bulletproof as the R50/53 Trident engine.

 

It's not just MINI -- my Toyota always lied and was off by about the same margin. Always calculating it 3-4 MPG high.

I figure they designed it that way, knowing the computer would be wildly inaccurate. If it was inaccurate on the low side, they'd have customers banging down the doors complaining about poor mileage. Now if the customer comes in complaining about poor mileage, they can say, "well, the computer says you're getting 18MPG, which is the revised EPA estimate for mixed driving. You must suck at math."

 

Looking forward to what my MC manual will get when it comes in late this month. AT a 32/40 rating, I expect great things. Based on the results here it looks like I won't be disappointed. Agree you have to check at fill ups, and then even average over a few of them. Some pumps won't cut off at quite the same point and your fill can be +/- a half gallon or so, which will be significant in MPG calculations.

 

Just wanted to chime in, about mileage, I just filled up my tank it took 9.02 gallons and I had 280 miles on the odometer so 9 into 280 yields 31.11 mpg not too bad considering A. my average mph is 27.5 B. I'm in the middle of winter C. this is the first fill up.

For comparison I have an 07' MC auto

 

With you average mph, basically mostly city driving it sounds like, that is good. As the engine runs in, it will improve some from there.

 

I finally got an actual tank calculation--32.2. This covered a great deal of "spirited" driving, city stop and go, hills on the highway, etc. Considering the way we've been pushing it now that it's been broken in, I'm still pleased with the mileage. The car goes like stink and we've been taking advantage of that, if you know what I mean. Driven conservatively and at a lower highway speed, I could easily see close to 40.

 

Thanks for sharing your calculations daffodildeb! Over 32mpg in mixed driving sounds fantastic!

 

40?

You are being far too optimistic.

 

You haven't seen us drive...the feds do an entirely different drive pattern to get their mileage estimates.

 

You are still being too optmistic.

You people cling to your ECU readings like theres no tomorrow.

 

Sport button? or no Sport Button? Anyone yet measure the difference between doing a whole tank with sport mode on then off?

 

No sport button.

 

I got about 28.5 (6sp MCS) in my first 500 miles if I assume the dealer filled the tank. If the computer is accurate ( I reset if several times in the first 500 miles) 40+ would be possible on the highway if you are very careful and almost completely avoid starting and stopping. I've found it very easy to use a bunch of fuel very quickly and kill the milage average.

Perhaps if they made the sport mode standard and changed the button to "Economy", that would beep at you when over 75MPH or 3000 RPM or so, it would be easier to exercise more control.

Also I was able to put in 12.5 gallons when my 2.1 gallon indicator had just come on. I think the tank size must not include the filler neck or something.