Is this normal with the 03 Cooper S, when I step on the throttle I feel a lag in power, the car doesnt feel like it wants to move until the RPM is about 3k?

 

oh boy i ahte to say it but... mos tlikely the clutch same thing started happening to my 02 until it was near impossible to get anywehre with out almost redlining. get on the highway and get in 6th and step on it if the rpms shoot up and your car lags and doesnt gain speed its most likely the clutch going out

how many miles?

 

128k miles, yes it does feel like that, once its about 3k rpm, the car seem to just "go" like someone shot it out of a cannon.

 

The Mini does not have much torque in the lower RPMs so it accelerates a little slow below 3000 RPM. Just keep the revs up for more fun.

 

Mine seems to lag - that is to say slow throttle response - but I attributed it to the SC needing to spool up. I also have the squealing clutch syndrome, but mostly only when it's cold.

 

Here is something interesting, the lag is not there when the car first start up and the controller is still in open loop. (hence more fuel).

 

Have you put a new serpantine belt on in the last 50 or 60 K miles? that could be the problem with the old belt sliping. You might want to check the oil level in the SC and add to it if low. Can get SC oil from GM dealers.

 

thanks for the advice, i will be changing the pulley soon, and will replace the belt at the same time, and other checks.

 

Seems to me that I read in another forum somewhere on NAM that there was a program fix from MINI for excessive lag??? Anyone???

 

Sprint Booster? Controls the electronic throttle

but with the 3K part i vote clutch too

 

If you don't really know what clutch slippage actually feels like, go to a shop and ask a mechanic to take a spin around the block with you to see what they think. Clutch job is pretty expensive, no point in wasting money if it doesn't fix the problem.

 

dont get a sprint booster, get a tune instead.

But it could be a different things, It might just be the small lag that everyone has in low rpm's. But, could be your bypass valve is sticking

 

RPM's go way up, car doesn't speed up in proportion to RPM's.

You'll smell it too.

Once they start slipping with a driver who doesn't know how to milk a worn clutch the life expectancy can be measured in minutes.

 

Well, I have the same thing. I feel that I have to really rev it up to make it go, and even then, it really does not do much until 3K mark while launching. I originally thought clutch too, but as the OP mentioned, once it hits 3K it goes... I do not have lag while driving in 6th and hitting the gas either. Would a new less restrictive air filter work (i'm thing drop in kind maybe foam or paper).

I really can't spend a fortune on CAI (nor do think I may see much diff), and the while I think the sprint booster may help, not willing to part with $300 for that....i'd rather do a pulley, belt, and CAI for that money.

As for tunning, anyone in Ft. Lauderdale / Miami recommend a shop that wont break the back like the dealer?