So this morning I jumped in my Mini and immediately put it in first and drove down the street, I made it about 10 feet before the car cut off. I was still a little sleepy and figured maybe I stalled since the car is pretty sluggish when it is cold. (It was about 36 and was snowing out) Well I made it another 10 feet before it cut off again. I tried one more time and it cut right off.

At that point I called my bf who told me to try to rev the engine. Well I couldn't keep the car on long enough to even hit the gas! Finally I pushed in the gas while I started the car. I idled/revved at about 2000 rpm for 2 min or so and could finally get down the road. The whole time I was idling/revving I could feel the car trying to cut off.

I found another thread about the car shaking but only one person said their car had stalled. Does anyone else have this problem? Any ideas to the cause? I plan on running by the dealer in the am just to be sure. (Some info on my car is 07 MCS manual 3600 miles using 93 octane from Kroger. Also changed the oil at 800 miles and used mobil 1 fully synthetic oil.)

 

Moving this to R56 Stock Issues and Problems

 

I have had issues with the car stalling when its cold out......you have to let it warm up just a little bit and all is perfect. I usually let it warm up until the RPM's come down and dip just below 1000. Since I have started doing this I haven't had the car stall once.

 

Even if you don't warm up a car with a MT, it should not stall on you. What the OP is describing seems like something is wrong. I would take it to the dealer.

 

We're having the same issue! Called the dealer and they were swamped with calls after the temp dropped the past few weeks. Dealer claims re-programming the ECU fixes the problem. Going in on 12-14-07. I'll try to re-post with an update.

 

What week build do you guys have?

 

I'm not sure and my Girlfriend is at work with the car. It's probably a relatively early build. We took delivery in April 07. I'll check tomorrow and post it.

 

Build date is 03/07. Dealer also stated that Top Tier premium fuel is highly recommended.

 

I'd take it to the dealer and have them check it out.

 

My dealer said there is an update for the ECU to correct this problem. Also, the cars are not designed to run with more than 5% alcohol. This standard is why only top tier fuel (91+ octane from Shell, BP, Exxon for example) is recommended. Don't use off brands if you can avoid it.

 

So my MINI and I can't have a beer together?

 

Mini's don't drink and drive.

 

Did everyone get this resolved to their satisfaction? I had the same problem with my Mini (picked up mid-September) stalling out the other day when it was about 50 degrees outside -- not what I would call cold. I restarted the engine several times and each time it immediately stalled. After the fifth time I was able to give it some gas and rev the engine. The dealer's service rep told me to make an appointment so they could run some diagnostics. There was no mention of any ECU update. I always use top tier 91 octane gas (Chevron) and the tank was nearly full.

I wouldn't say my love affair with my Mini is over, but events like this sure take the shine off the romance.

 

If you are in an area where top tier gas is not available or if you are worried about gas quality, try adding some Lucas Fuel Treatment to your tank when you fill-up, your MINI will appreciate it!

 

I'm not saying that bad gas can't and won't cause problems in a car, but my experience has been that it is usually not the gas, but rather something wrong with the vehicle that eventually causes problems like this.

 

Bad gas could have some water residue that could cause problems.

 

Mine is having the exact same problem. Works okay out of the garage, but if I let off the gas for a second on a cold start before its warmed up it stalls. I'm pretty bad with heal toe driving but I'm getting a bit of practice now. Used good 93 shell gas in the last fill up too.

 

I definitely wouldn't use Kroger gas. I stick with Texaco, Shell, or in a pinch, Exxon. Also, 93 octane.

But, it does sound like a job for the dealer.

 

All of Michigan Gas has 10% Ethanol in the gas all year round, so there goes your dealers theory..

 

Dealer installed the updated ECU software on 12-14-07 and we still have the stalling problem. The service coordinator stated that Mini is aware of the problem and are still trying to work out a fix. We may call Mini's corporate office to try and get more information on a quicker fix. This is not a good situation to be dealing with in Wisconsin winters!

 

The book says no 15%--nothing about "more than 5%."

 

Well they updated my software. I'll have to see how it works when it gets cold.

 

Called Mini's US corporate number and the guy who answered wasn't aware of the problem. He said he was going to forward it to their main headquarters. Not very reassuring when the US corporate guy's don't seem to know what's going on. I'd like to encourage everyone who is having this problem and not getting it resolved at the dealer to call 1-866-ASK-MINI and flood them with complaints. Maybe this would get the ball rolling a little faster.