I have a 2002 MCS with a 15% pulley and (I think) she's still running on software 31. I am scheduled to go in for an upgrade to v36, but after seeing a post in the "Stumble" thread about worse MPG and soot, I'm having second thoughts. I have a slight yo-yo problem but is version 36 worth the risk of bad mileage and more soot?

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I think the soot's not an issue (i.e., it's no worse IMO with CD 36)...and the MPG may be a couple of mpg worse than before...but if you actually have the stumble, this will be worth the price of fixing it. Anyway, in my case, I;ve noticed NO negative change in mileage.

 

Orb,

I'm in a similar situation, 15% pulley and v31 in my 09/02 prod. 03 model year MCS. I too have no stumble, nor yo-yo to mention, and the dealer recommended not to upgrade to v36 based upon the "If it ain't broke..." philosophy. I'd keep v31 unless you truly have driveability issues.

 

I do have a slight yo-yo as I said in my orig post. My concern is that v36 will fix the yo-yo, but make the MPG worse.

 

Hey, what's "soot"? Thanks

 

That black crap that comes out of the exhaust and ends up on the back of the car. It's basically unburnt fuel and in gasoline burning vehicles it's caused by an engine that runs too rich. I was used to it with my Jetta TDI (diesel), but I've never seen it on a properly tuned gas burner except for the MINI.

 

From posts from owners so far-version 36 software works better to deal with stumble than with yo-yo for some MCS owners.

If you have mostly yo-yo trouble then I would wait on changing to it for now and see how others do first.
ECU changes can affect mpg and might increase soot on the tailpipe but I had some soot in a stock MCS with the original exhaust.

 

That is weird, I was about to post on my experiance, I polished my Magnaflow tips since I got v36 a couple weeks ago and they are still shiny, I would say my car is running perfectly now, it's so much better, that I stopped thinking about buying upgraded software from Randy. I've only driven about 300 miles since the change, but it's been all good.

15% <-- 19% as soon as I can make it to philly.
Magnaflow
Madness Intake

X2

 

I recently had the V.36 software put on my car to see if it would get rid of the yo-yo. So far it does not seem that it has. I have driven about 100 miles since having it done and it looks like the milage is about the same. I guess I'll know more about the soot as time goes on.

 

My '04 MCS with 220 miles on it is headed back to the dealer tomorrow to see if I have v36 installed. I have the "yo yo" between 3k-4k, very noticable in 2nd. Not sure what they'll do if it is already installed. I drive with partial throttle too often to deal with this on a daily basis, so I really hope they can fix it .

The dealer is about 120miles from my house so it will have a good trip to sync in on the way home if they do install it and also to check fuel economy. I averaged 31mpg on the night I took delivery (basically all highway).

 

I know how you feel. The yo-yo is a pain.

I think tommorow would be better spent with friends and family personaly. The yo-yo is going to get alot of attention over the next year or so hopefully.

Since v36 (which very well may be loaded) hasn't been reported to be to be the cure all, I would wait for the next go around.

People with identical software versions have not both had the yo-yo. People have reported that it goes away after time, after adding a intake, after a fuel additive etc... No consistancy yet ...

My car had it nearly dissapear then it came back after resetting the ECU and having the pulley done. I pondered if this meant it was belt related, but the jury is leaning towards a faulty sensor or some bad code. If MINI knows what causes it, there not telling. That would mean admitting to it as a problem. Which now that the stumble appears fixed, they will hopefully start doing.


I honestly don't think they have a good enough handle on it to waste tommorow driving to the dealership. Unless the roads have some nice curves.
After it's broken in !!!

The yo-yo is most annoying during break in, it's unaceptable, but not as big a problem as you would think, at first.

If your looking forward to the drive, than great. If your dreading it, drive somewhere else and spend some time bonding time with your car. There will probably be at least one more software update after date this.

Honestly I would break it in first, then learn how it likes to be driven. Then call the dealer. It might be better than going back in a month with a leaky coolant tank or some other problem as of yet unknown. Then your not going to very happy at all.

 

Regarding the soot, I have a partial theory about (no scientific basis). My Corvette has center exhausts outlets as well, and I notice a bit of soot near the exhaust tips (happened when a bonehead friend of mine put 87 in my car because he was a cheapass on a road-trip). Since it's yellow, the it easily shows dark dust. Perhaps the slipstream of the car and the placement in the center (vs. off angle and unsymmetric at a side?) contribute? Does anyone notice a similar problem with
a standard Cooper, which has the exhaust off to the side???

 

I had version 36 downloaded into my MCS, and the stumble is about 80 percent better, and the yo-yoing is almost gone. The power band seems lower also. Not sure if this is true however. I did hear a rumor that version 36 was derived from the JCW version.

 

Not sure if this info would help with the soot issue. The MCS is known to run way richer than the Cooper. This is done b/c of the supercharger - to keep temps down. it's an easy, safe way of protecting the engine.

Get there. As soon as you possibly can!!!

 

400ex, thanks for the suggestions. :smile:

I want to get this noted in my service history early. I am not happy about it and I am hopeful there will be a resolution. I was really on the fence about getting the MCS and I am starting to waver after only a couple hundred miles. My decision to buy the MCS was really a fine line between it and another car and right now I guess I'm just sensitive to anything negative which puts my decision into question.

Its a nice day in the D.C. area and the drive will hopefully be enjoyable and the beltway will be accident free.

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Chris
'04 MCS: 1,2,3, aux guages, aux input, dk slvr, blk/lapis blue - delivered 12/22/03

 

Milage is about the same for me too.. i got averaged 32mpg accoding to the OBC today driving 75 miles with 25% city and 75% highway