well I just picked up my MCS yesterday.
One thing I notice is that it takes few trys to start the car.
I started the car about 5 times over two days and except one time when the engine turned as I put the key to the crank position, I have to keep it cranking until the engine turn for about 3-5 seconds.
I want to know if this is because the car is new and will it go away as the car gets broken in or is there some problem with the battery?

 

I noticed this as well with my new MCS.

Next time try cranking the engine for 2 seconds and see if the engine fires. It seems it needs less cranking than the engine noises would indicate. The sound of the engine firing isn't as distinct as other cars I've owned.

 

I don't remember having that problem with my '04, and the '05 hasn't shown up yet. You might want to give your dealer a call and ask them about it - see what they say.

 

On car's that ive had in the past, it was considered 'normal' to crank
up to 15sec. Not sure on the MINI's but I wouldn't be too worried.

 

Thanks for the replies.
i'll give it another week and if it still bothers me, I'll stop by the dealer.

 

Sometimes if I put in the key and crank right away it fails to start. However, if you turn to position 2 only, you will hear a hum/whine/whirring sound for a few seconds (there are a few ideas in threads here regarding what that sound is). If I then crank the engine after that whirring sound it never fails to start. (Waiting for that whirring sound to stop is just enough time to fasten my seatbelt.)

 

After 20 months,over 40k miles,and thousands of starts,my MC has never cranked for more the a second or 2,even at -47F.

 

I've made a habit of turning the key to the on position for 3 seconds, then start. Starts up very fast ALL the time.

James

 

The humming should be the fuel pump building pressure in the fuel lines.

 

Car sounds like it has no fuel, so maybe that's it.
I'll try to leave the key on the on-position for a few seconds.

 

It should start right up, no position 1 or 2 stuff. Also no dealership "adaptive memory" excuses, make them fix it. Plus you don't need to give it gas when starting.

 

I had the "opportunity" to rent a 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix for a extended work-related trip. I noticed that it had an interesting feature related to starting - When cranking the engine, at the instant the engine started the starter disengaged, even if I held the key in the start position. It took me by surprise the first couple times because the engine started so quickly. Evidently the GP's ECU monitors the engine startup and automatically kills the starter.