I have promising news for anyone who was contemplating having their DME pulled and sent to NJ for a software update to try to fix the stumble. While I was making a service appointment for a non-powertrain-related repair, I asked about having my DME shipped to New Jersey while the car was in for the visit. The service advisor replied (approximately) "Oh, do you mean CD 36?" The service advisor further stated that sending out the DME would not be necessary, since they had received CD 36 last Monday and they could load it while the car was in for the service visit.

I'm scheduled to have CD 36 installed on my DME 12/8. I hope that this is the software release that the finally-satisfied folks in the "Stumble fixed" threads have received. If it is, we may all have something extra for which to be thankful today!

Any interested stumblers out there may want to check with your dealer to see if they have their copy yet. If they don't, they should get it soon!

 

Just a heads up. CD 36 may or may not be the answer.

One of our MCS owners wrote:

"just got MCS back today after DME sent to NJ last monday- stumble at take off all gone- feels so normal again. However lurch/stumble on deceleration at 1900 rpm still there-"

Please do post what you think of your new software version.

 

Read the info on mini2, link below, its unclear to me if the US version of 36 has the fix or not.
Maybe it does but the german version was just out earlier?? MINI2 german CD36

 

I had my ECU sent to NJ for reprogram. The stumble is worse than before despite the fact that the outside temp is much colder than before the re-program (also yoyo's). The car also runs rough at times now. Call me paranoid but I believe that Mini may be claiming there is a fix in order to hold off lemon law claims and allow greater time to repair the problem. I didnt have a problem with the rattles and other problems but I will not tolerate the stumble.

 

A couple months ago I put my name on a list to be notified when they (MINI of Peabody[MA]) received v.36. Well, I got that call tonight, and I'm bringing in my stumbling May '03 build MCS first thing Monday morning to get flashed.
I've got an hour long drive to work from there. I'll put up my feedback when I get there.

 

I believe I read in some leaked official memo that the German version was (prior to this release) to be loaded per request for specific problems. That is, it noted for the Cooper issues that would commonly be called the yoyo and for the Cooper S mentioned only the stumble effect.

I have one of the first of the 2004 MCS run, I have no stuble but I do have a yoyo. Was this listing meant to be exclusive? Do we know yet if CD36 fixes any and all annoying engine management issues on all vehicles?

All that is to ask, is my dealing going to give me a load of **** when I tell them my S has a yoyo but no stumble ? (and I would like the fix contrary to whatever their memos may say)

Thx
Chad

 

<<< I had my ECU sent to NJ for reprogram. The stumble is worse than before despite the fact that the outside temp is much colder than before the re-program (also yoyo's). The car also runs rough at times now. Call me paranoid but I believe that Mini may be claiming there is a fix in order to hold off lemon law claims and allow greater time to repair the problem. I didnt have a problem with the rattles and other problems but I will not tolerate the stumble.>>>

You're the first person (that I've heard of) who's gotten the upgrade and still has the stumble. I think the verdict is still out on the yoyo stuff, but I'd DEFINITELY take your car back to the shop and have them check to see if it loaded properly. No way I'd be sitting on that--not when other's have had such great success.

 

OMToast

Others have had the upgrade but still have the stumble & yoyo. They have posted about their problem. Keep in mind that you may not have heard from others if Mini has bought back their car. The same thing will happen with me if Mini buys back my car (will not have the need to post about the problem) any further. Of course if Mini chooses not to buy back my car, a lawsuit will be filed and all the information pertaining to stumble will be discovered (including how long Mini has known about the problem, number of people who have the stumble, any accidents arising from the stumble, and much, much more) and disclosed to everyone!

 

Minichrist,
Let me know how it goes. I'm gonna try to make it up to MINI of Peabody on wednesday for the flash. My stumble has remained the same, but my yo-yo is getting severe. It is like riding a bucking broncho at times! (and I ain't no cowboy!) :evil:

 

Bisch, Have you had stumble and yo-yo since day one or has this problem continued to get worse as you put miles on the car, your post seemed to indicate it was getting worse yo-yo that is. At what RPM does it do this and does it kind of feel like it's hunting, rather like the fuel supply is being cutback then opening up again.
norm

 

And now for the bad news, I had my MCS in the shop on Saturday, and if they did the update, well, it is the same if not worse, I will have to call tomorrow and see what version of the update they used. I have been back two or three times for updates and the stumble never goes away.

 

WEll I don't have an S BUT, when I went to go get the cvt stumble fixed in my car, the first time I think they didn't do anything, or they did it wrong, becasue the problem got worse... so I took it to a different dealer ( sterling,VA) and they did it right. another question.. does v36 update address any problems for the regular cooper

 

>>Bisch, Have you had stumble and yo-yo since day one or has this problem continued to get worse as you put miles on the car, your post seemed to indicate it was getting worse yo-yo that is. At what RPM does it do this and does it kind of feel like it's hunting, rather like the fuel supply is being cutback then opening up again.
>>norm

The stumble started at ~1500 miles. The yo-yo at about 4500 miles. The yo-yo is under part/half throttle. 1800-3000 rpm. It feels like an oscilation. Almost like someone playing with a light switch...on,off,on,off,on,off. Rapidly.
On a similar note, I have not had the cold start issue in nearly 1500 miles :smile:

 

>>{snip}
>>
>>I have one of the first of the 2004 MCS run, I have no stuble but I do have a yoyo. Was this listing meant to be exclusive? Do we know yet if CD36 fixes any and all annoying engine management issues on all vehicles?
>>
>>{snip}
>>
>>Thx
>>Chad

9/22/03 '04 MCS here also. Came through without the stumble but suffers from the yo-yo. I've not been able to find anyone with an '04 MCS who has the stumble but almost all report the yo-yo.

How's that V.36 holding up minichrist?? Inquiring minds want to know?

Theo

 

Got v.36 this morning, and I have to say it ain't worse then it was before. What I mean to say is, there's no magical performance increase or seat-of-the-pants boost that a normal person would notice. But because I’m far from normal and I've got an OCD about this car I can tell there is a difference. In fact, I was unable to recreate the all to familiar stumble that I have become accustom to, especially when trying to blast out of the gates at the various tolls through NH. Nice and smooth launches. I even found myself subconsciously sliding my neck and head forward to compensate for that impending stumble, but it didn't do it. Satisfaction.

As far as the yo-yo is concerned, I did not experience that today either. That's not to say that it isn't there. That condition seemed to occur less frequently then others on this board. I first noticed it after break in when I stopped being so gentle, unlike the stumble that was there when I left the dealer's lot. It only occurs at medium to just less then WOT in second or third, and usually when exiting a turn.

Overall I'm pleased. I'm definitely no worse off then I was yesterday, and I feel that the stumble at least has been cured. Time will tell.

peas

 

Blademan...

If there are others who've maintained their stumble, in the face of either the now-labelled CD 36 OR a vacay to NJ, I haven't heard from them. And I don't want to burst your bubble but... the threat of lawsuits (including a class action) isn't anything that hasn't been done before. The reason you generally don't hear from people who've had their cars re-purchased is because MINI/BMWAG has been remarkably reluctant to do so without certified lemonization.

Trust me... I'm an expert.

 

>>OMToast
>>
>>Others have had the upgrade but still have the stumble & yoyo. They have posted about their problem. Keep in mind that you may not have heard from others if Mini has bought back their car. The same thing will happen with me if Mini buys back my car (will not have the need to post about the problem) any further. Of course if Mini chooses not to buy back my car, a lawsuit will be filed and all the information pertaining to stumble will be discovered (including how long Mini has known about the problem, number of people who have the stumble, any accidents arising from the stumble, and much, much more) and disclosed to everyone!

Blademan,

Bummer. I'm not sure that version 36 has the stumble fix though. I spoke w/ someone at BMWNA in early Nov. that wasn't sure if it would make it into v. 36 or not. He assured me it would make it into some future version, he just wasn't sure which one. That's why I had my DME sent to NJ. I was tired of waiting for the fix.

All I know is that my stumble is DEFINITELY and HAPPILY gone. I do still have a yo-yo but it does seem diminished. The weather has been much colder here recnently though so it is hard to tell about the yo-yo.

 

So far, so good- I had CD 36 loaded onto my DME yesterday, and things are good. The stumble has not occured yet since the update, and there were a couple of times there may have been a bit of yo-yo, but I had to really pay close attention to feel it. If it holds at this level, I could live with it. :smile:

The jury's still out though, becuse I was also really happy for the first day after CD 35 was loaded. A few days of driving gave the car a chance to recover from its reset, and it apparently adapted and re-learned how to misbehave.

Time will tell!

_________________
Midnight- '03 indi blue MCS, learning all the bad habits of a proper British car from Rusty- '75 MGB