While I'm not at the do-most-of-it-yourself stage with my MINI, I've always been happier with a car if I felt I really understood the basic engineering of the major components. So I know how engines work, how brakes work, and how transmissions work (though gear ratios in automatic transmissions still blow my mind).

One thing I really don't know is the details of my Countryman's ALL4 system. In fact, I've heard a number of completely conflicting things about it, some from the mouths of MINI dealership employees.

For example, one told me it was based on BMW's X-drive. Another said it was engineered from the ground up by the MINI team. One told me that the Countryman runs completely as an FWD car until there's slip, at which time an electromagnetic clutch engages and sends power to the rear. Another told me that the torque is split 50/50 between the front and rear at all times until there's slip, and it's capable of sending 100% to the front or back.

So who knows for sure? And how does it work? MINIUSA.com is not helping, and different online reviews say different things. Anybody got a reputable source?

 

This article provides the information you're seeking:

http://www.motoringfile.com/2011/08/...stem-in-depth/

 

FYI

I know it's a bit dated, but this is one of the better design reviews regarding the All4 design.


http://www.bimmerfile.com/2010/05/26...yman-cooper-s/

And this is an interview with a BMW exec regarding the differences:

http://www.bmwblog.com/2011/02/18/20...f-mini-canada/

Hope this helps

Mark

 

Thanks, guys. So I'm guessing the CNET reviewer here was just spectacularly misinformed. He says:

That's in direct contradiction to the Motoring File article which says:

Crazy misinformation bouncing around out there...

 

[SIZE=3][FONT=Calibri]Seems like only the Motoringfile.com article claims no more than 50%, whereas everything else appears to claim that in some instances 100% can be sent to rears. I usually take what CNET claims with a grain of salt, they have produced some garbage articles in the past on many occasions, but the everything else seems to suggest it. Guess we will all have to keep digging, and post what we find here, I know I would love to know the answer as well !![/FONT][/SIZE]

 

GKN Electromagnetic Control Device (EMCD) on the ALL4:

http://www.gkndriveline.com/drivelin...icle_0041.html

Similar EMCD unit found on the Nissan GT-R??

http://www.gkndriveline.com/drivelin...icle_0022.html

 

The picture in that article looks pretty much like my CM4:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...p/photo/101868

 

So from those articles it seems the All4 drive is controlled via DSC. So does this mean if we disable DSC from the dash button, do we also loose All4 capability?

 

I'm not sure that's the case. From disabling DSC and Traction Control, I found you can drift the ALL4 rather nicely. You can also fling the back end around with handbrake and throttle. If I were set up to investigate the programming, I'd want to turn an unassigned button into one labeled, "Fun!"

 

I don't think so. I think the same computer that senses slip controls the clutch in the ALL4, but I don't think "turning off" the DSC actually turns off the computer. It would be nice to see all the specs laid out, though.