I have had my car for 2 weeks now and it has 700 miles on it.

I am noticing a slight hesitation that only occurs every once in awhile when I am accelerating from first gear. My car is a manual and I have been driving stick shift for over 15 years, but this does not seem right at all. The car feels like it has a loss of power/hesitates before going. This only happens when accelerating from first gear.

Has anyone had a similar issue on their car? Can anyone recommend a solution, so I know what to tell the dealer?

Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you
Daniel

 

Try giving it more gas, MINIs tend to gear better at higher RPMs try shift between 3 or 4000 RPMs. Had same issue, with a/c on full blast it's almost stalling out. The solution for me was is to drive it at higher RPMs. worked for me. Good luck.

 

What your saying is that it falls on its face when you are actively accelerating?

Is it at a certain RPM?

Does it do it when you start out in 2nd gear?

 

are you turing the sport button on. I have a 07 and i have the same problem you are describing when i have my sport button off. i dont know why but turning the sport button on makes it take off way easier, at least for me.

 

Is your car an S, JCW, or non-turbo? The non-turbo has a nice dead spot from a stop till you give it more throttle then it revs up and off you go. Sport mode should help a little. The S has it too, but with sport mode off it's a little better than non-turbo with sport mode on. S with sport mode on is pretty instant throttle response.

Bottom line, gas it more, especially the non-turbo is difficult to drive smoothly at low speeds (it should 'learn' a little)

 

Thanks for all you replies. I appreciate it.

I have a Base engine Mini, no supercharger and have never used the sport button. I will try it.

I feel as though it is the a/c that is doing it. Not 100% sure though, but told my sales person and the service people that this is not right on a brand new car.

This only happens in 1st gear. I have been giving it more gas then I ease up on the clutch and it wants to stall then it goes. I have driven a manual transmission for over 20 years and never had an issue like this. It is also very rough when it doesn't move.

Should I exchange it for an S model as this would make it more drivable?

Any suggestions would help.

Thank you
Daniel

 

The a/c would make it worse as it is sapping more power from the engine. If using the sport button fixes it to your satisfaction I think there are 3rd party devices that will auto-engage it for you instead of having to push it every startup. Might be worth researching and seeing if price is worth it.

This behavior was very noticeable to me in the test drive and I excluded the non-turbo mostly because of it. The car shouldn't be jerky/hard to drive smoothly brand new at low speed and you shouldn't have to push a button every startup to lessen it.

 

turn on sport mode. non sport mode is weird. I've noticed that too. report back when try sport mode on

 

+1 i'm telling you it's the sport mode. you got to have it on. i have the same issues with mine when the sport mode is off.

 

I did try it and it made a difference. It is completely different and the hesitation/loss of power when pulling away in first gear is much less or gone.

At least I know my car is alright and working properly.

Thank you for your help.
Daniel

 

Glad to hear! Happy motoring!