Hey All,

I'm sure there have been many threads (including Yo..Yo Chronicles)concerning the engine stumbles problems. I've had the stumble for a year and a half, with the past few months becoming more pronounced.

On Thursday I finally had my software updated to V. 38. WHAT A DIFFERENCE! Not only does the car's engine refuse to stagger, but at high speed, there is a deeper throaty noise when you punch it.

I also had my brake wear examined (20K). My brakes were 70%, and 73% remaining. That was reassuring to me after reading some of the threads regarding uneven brake pad wear.

If you have that stumble issue, get V. 38!

Coop

 

I told you that V38 was the best software to date!

...can't say I perceived a throatier exhaust note - but cool if you did

 

does 38 also fix cold-start or are we still waiting for that?

 

Well, MINI promised a "fix" back in December of 2003 and it is now July of 2004 but a FIX is a FIX so that is indeed good news.

Glad to hear there is something good to cheer about.

 

I also heard there's a V38.1 that helps the CVT to solve the jerk which occurs when selecting Drive after backing in Reverse. :smile:

 

I'm getting 38 Thursday. The service tech I talked to said it would definitely help my stumble. This was good news considering my assigned service technician (on vacation this week) has acted all this time like he has no idea what I'm talking about.

My stumble has gotten so bad this summer (September 03 build) I have to turn my AC off sometimes if I need a "spirited" take-off.

I'm looking at RX8's again....

jerij

 

I just got my S back from the dealer today. I had the new V38 software installed and it runs like a totally different car! No stumble, yo-yo, rough idle, or any of the annoying things so far. The acceleration is silky smooth all the way up to my self-imposed rev limit!

 

V38 sounds just like what I need. anybody have it done at Long Beach Mini?

 

RX8's sure are nice. Seem to handle well too. Looked at them for awhile but backed off because I kept hearing the same things concerning the rotary.
Unlike "normal" engines that get better as they get a few miles on them, the rotary is pretty much at it's best when brand new. It goes downhill from there and rather rapidly. Not unusual for rebuilds at 50,000 miles. Often compared to 2-stroke motorcycle engines.
Mazda apparantly still has flooding issues.
Great high rpm scream, poor low end torque.
Expensive to repair and hot rod.
I don't know any of the above from first hand experience but I hear the same comments from many sources so I backed off.

 

Worst I heard about the RX-8 was the misrepresented HP info. Started at 250 and was adjusted down twice. Not sure what the current rated output is.

 

All of the dealers should have it by now. I went to Crevier but had to tell them that I know the V38 will cure the yo-yo problem.

 

Thanks Rick.

 

The "8" may need some tweaking, but the early 7's got it right. The one on the left has 171k+ and has NEVER had a rebuild. The car still gets 28mpg on the highway. It was rated at 27....

enjoy


jerij

 

I had the software on my Cooper updated twice and each time it has reverted back to stumbling. Now that i'm out of warrenty I wonder what it would take to have v.38 installed. As a preexisting condition should it be updated for free or will I have to pay and if so how much?

 

My dealer has finally received v38, and I am scheduled for the install. The Service Advisor states v38 corrects my Yo-Yo problems - however recommends I drop from my Sunoco Ultra 94 Octane to 89 Octane for my Cold Start Promblem. Can he be for real???

 

For those considering an RX 8, I've known several people with over 150,000 miles on there're RX 7's with no engine problems. Unless the RX 8 is for some reason less reliable I don't see the rotory as anything but a reason to buy the RX 8, rather than a reason not to.


R.E.

 

First off, how do you find out what version of software you have?

I believe my S has the yo-yo but I am not sure if it the same as everyone else describes. If I take mine in to have it upgraded to v3.8 (assuming I don't already have it), is it done under warranty?

 

You can't. The dealer has to cross-reference numbers and make an educated guess from there.
V.38 is a free upgrade within warranty. Just make a service appointment and complain about the yo-yo in your MCS. If you just go in and ask for the update, they may not do it.

 

Of interest....

My yo-yo is gone. I don't care. It didn't bother me. Not to be disrepectful but I've never quite understood why it did seem to upset so many people.
I rarely drive in the "aggressive" mode that the yo-yo was evident so maybe
that was a factor in it not being that annoying to me.

The stumble is JUST AS BAD. Most noticeable with the A/C on but v38 had no effect on this parameter in my car. My '74 AMC Gremlin still has better takeoff than my Cooper S. How sad...

The stumble bothers me because it is a safety issue. My reluctance to pull out into traffic knowing the fuel injection system/motor/car is going to be just as reluctant to respond just isn't cool.

I will probably still put my M7 device on (when it arrives) and may even opt for the 15% pulley (however, I can think of many other/better ways to spend $400 on parts/labor, even $100 for that matter parts alone, self-labor) in a couple of final attempts to rectify this safety issue with this car.

It doesn't look good....

jerij

 

thank god, my cars been runnign like crap since v.37 I'll have them look at it when I go in for my oil change in august! sweet glad to here that it fixes it, I was really missing v.36 smoothness in my ride

 

I wonder if the yo-yo you have is the same as what some of us are dealing with. Driving in the aggressive mode actually was not a problem for me. I found it to be more prominant while driving in the "granny" mode.

 

Wow!

Absolutely no effect in "granny" mode for me. When I would "romp" (for me at least) up past 3-4+ grand or so, the car would "yo-yo" like hell. It was kinda like a ride at the fair.

The stumble, however is what's in my toilet after I stand up....

jerij

 

the yo-yo only got me in second gear from 2,000 to 3,000 RPM so driving in sport mode with high RPMs avoided this range.