I have a 6 speed 2008 Clubman S with about 1200 miles on it. The car runs great and I really like it, but I find that if I am in traffic or at a stoplight, I feel like I have to overcompensate with the accelerator when starting off in first, or its gonna stall. The problem completely disappears if I have pressed the Sport Button. Then the car drives like I think it should.

At first I thought it was because I hadn't driven a stick in so long, but I'm used to the car now and still having this problem.

Is anyone else experiencing this? Any ideas?

 

How bad is it? Remember that this is a "drive by wire" car, the accelerator is electronic and hot a wire going directly to the throttle body! It my be that you need to get used to it!

 

It's definitely a feel thing. 95% of my driving is Sport button off, so the normal mode feels completely normal to me. Sport mode feels very responsive, almost to the point of being touchy.

After getting off Sport mode into normal I struggle a little bit with launches, but after 2-3 lights I get used to it.

I also think the MCS/MCCS need more gas at idle than other manual cars. I'm thinking it might be the nature of the turbo, but that's a guess. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable will chime in.

 

Have experienced the same with 07 MCS 6 speed ... the Sport Mode appears to mimic more closely the throttle response I was used to with 97 Z3 and other manual gear box machines for the past 60 years ... something about old dogs and their tricks I suppose ... even though it isn't that difficult to transition to the non-Sport Mode ... just different ...

 

I also have the 6 speed automatic trans aside from the drive by wire you have to press the accelerator pedal further to make the car move keep in mind that the transmission starts off in 2nd gear not 1st in regular mode.You can just push the shifter paddle and it will then go into 1st gear.Driving around town I don't bother using the Sport button because it is a bit jerky (kind of like a wild Stallion wanting to be let loose).I do use the paddle shifters a lot though when I am in the sporting mood.

 

I don't have a problem most of the time, but when using the air conditioning, I really have to pay attention when launching without the sport button. Especially if on an incline. A couple times I've had the car nearly stall, no matter how much throttle I give it as I let the clutch out. It's not that the clutch isn't disengaging as I take off, it's that the motor knocks and stumbles. I was beginning to wonder if there is something wrong with the flywheel. I'm not new to a stick shift or clutch.

 

You're not alone, I have experienced the same exact thing. Not new to driving stick either.

 

Drive with the sport button off for 2 days and you will get used to it. But I didn't like the mush feel so I turn the button on EVERY time.

 

I rarely drive with the sport button turned on so this is not the issue I'm seeing. Last time this happened to me I had the sport button turned on. The car stumbled and stalled, I restarted it, hit sport button again, stumble and stall, restarted, this time slipped the clutch and got it to stumble off the incline onto flat ground before the motor stopped stumbling and regained power. This was with the a/c turned on. I've had it do the same before but it didn't stall. The time it was stalling was on a steep incline.

 

I agree, I feel like I'm just learning to drive without the Sport Button on and I've driven nothing but standard transmission cars for the last 40 years! My fix was to install Coffeeman's automatic sport button relay found on this forum under the electrical section. It's great, full time sport button and I don't stall the car from a stop and look like a beginner.

 

Kukaepe, I will do a search for that thread.

Did you notice a big difference with fuel ecomomy once you were able to keep the Sport Button on at all times?

Thanks, Rich

 

I get the same feeling when I drive with the sport button off, you have to depress the pedal almost twice as far to get the same response. I always drive with the sport button on, the throttle feels more like my 350Z did.

 

Are you running premium fuel? I've noticed a difference in take-off "feel" between regular and premium fuels, especially in the summer.

 

I'm on my second tank of mid-grade. Trying to get a baseline of three tanks of mid-grade and then compare fuel economy to several premium tanks. Do you think that the difference between mid and premium could be part of the issue?

 

That could be very possible.MINI does recommend a minimum rating of 91 octane fuel.The ECU retards the ignition to avoid detonation on lesser grade gas.

 

I run 91 octane in mine. Maybe it was just bad gas though. I'll have to keep track and try other stations. I always buy from Chevron, Shell or other top tier station. The car runs fine otherwise.

 

The difference between 87 and 93 octane is very noticeable when pulling out from a stop on my Non-S, 6 speed Cooper. I'd try a tank full of 91-93 octane and see if it helps. I'd guess that it would improve. In the summer months, I'm more apt to use 93 octane all the time due to the heat and the AC engine loading. I'll sometimes do a 50/50 mix of 93 and 87 to get me close to the 91.

Either way, it certainly won't hurt to see if higher octane will help your problem.

 

My "Fuel Economy Study" has been aborted. I'll letchaknow about the results of my new "Fuel Acceleration Study".

 

Hope it works for you!

 

 

So, I noticed people talking about 93 octane gas, I have not found many stations in the West that have 93 octane gas, only 91 octane. Is this an Eastern thing or am I looking at the wrong stations. I'm in Boise, Id for a week and then on to Seattle for 2 months.

PS I also have a semi-permanent "Check Engine" light that nobody can figure out.

 

same here. it's worse when I take my coworkers out to lunch. 2 6'+ at 190lbs each makes the engine feel super sluggish. I think I actually did stall once with them in the car + AC on once. I know to engage sport button as soon as I get in the car when they get in the car now

 

The premium octane rating of 91 and 93 does vary from region to region.Mini recommends a minimum 91 octane rating which covers all of the U.S.

Check engine light I have no idea but maybe check to make sure your gas cap is on securely? I got a check engine light once and it was from the gas cap not being put on correctly after I filled up with gas.

 

I've experienced this on my 2004 S 6-speed Manual. I bought it used a few weeks ago so I took it to the stealership for an oil change, engine flush, and diagnostics. I've also ran two tanks of fuel injector cleaner through in response to the dealer recommended a $220 fuel injector flush. Things seem a little better now (although it may be placebo) but the dealer said he checked everything out and it is performing as expected.

 

I had a hesitation when pulling out on my 02 MCS that never got solved in 36,000 miles.One of the most fun cars I have owned.
In fact I am on here researching what the quirks if any are on the 08 's.I would like to get a new clubman but not if they still have a hesitation problem.