I don't know if anyone else experiences this but when I hit the throttle hard in lower RPMs I seem to get a lag and then explosion of power. Is this normal or should I bee looking to take it in for servicing? Would changing the intake change this? Just doesn't seem right to have this lag with as crisp as the throttle is otherwise.

I'm using 93 octane gas from mobile so that should not be a factor.

Thanks,

 

Did you turn your traction control off?

 

I am not an expert but i have been driving my MCS for 3 years and have noticed a few things.
1. the MINI likes to have the RPM's high, 2,000 and above. Below this it takes a second to get he RPM's up and then takes off. It is not as noticeable as turbo lag, but it is not a V8 with low end torque. I have also gotten use to feathering the clutch at take-off to keep it from bogging down. I have seen other comments to this.
2. DSC will appy brakes and cut power when the wheels start to spin, hence you cannot "burn-out" when the DSC is on, but it you you keep it off, it will sit and spin when wet, etc. and if you start to skid sideways, it will straighten you out.
3. After 3 years it is still fun to drive and I really like the way that the car was designed and engineered, No regrets. Now I am trying to decide if I want to do some power mods to the 03 or order a new JCW.

 

if you have the a/c on or dont keep the revs up a bit when taking off, you will get exactly what you described.

 

ECU upgrades such as the MTH mods can reduce throttle lag and also increase low-end torque, which can greatly reduce the start-off "bog" that many dislike.

 

I have the MTH, CAI and pulley, doesn't happen as often, but still does if I give it just too little gas...

 

Great information form everyone. I drive with DSC on all the time and have learned to feather the clutch too but still get a little lag when I try ti hit the throttle in low RPMs. I guess it is just something to get used to unless I'm willing to get mods for the engine to compensate. I've been looking at intakes but don't have a good feel for what is available yet, leaning towards OEM JCW to keep warrantee good, less problems anyway. I was thinking the intake would help with a little of this lag. I just wanted to make sure this was not something I should get looked at instead of just dealing with it.

I'm not complaining and love my MINI, Gunner and I have a lot of fun everyday going to and from work. It is alwasys fun to have someone ride in a MINI for the first time and show them the quick acceleration we have.

Thanks everyone.

 

The JCW intake is a lot like stock till 4500 RPM's. go with an Alta intake, it's much cheaper and will give more HP. give me a call if you need more info.

Chad
Detroit Tuned
586-296-6001

 

Roger that thanks for the suggestion. I've been looking at all the intakes that are out now and it is becoming hard to choose without someone's recommendation. Are there any warrantee issues for factory servicing once you have installed a new intake such as the Alta? How much different is the sound of the engine and supercharger with the Alta intake?

Thanks again.

 

an intake does not void the warranty. as long as there is an air cleaner in place and all factory connections are still there (like the vacuum port in the tube), you are just fine. The Alta does make the SC much louder inside the car, but everyone that i have sold one to or installed one for has loved the new sound. after having it on the car a few months you start to no even hear it anymore. let me know if there are any other questions. chad

 

I have an 06 with alta cai, miltek, pulley--and noticed the start-off "bog" --hoping an ECU upgrade will help!

I also think it has something to do with what type of car you are used to driving. For example, I am coming from an RS spec 911 motor--the throttle reponse is instant--so I do not expect the same from the mini (but still want to reduce the "bog", if I can)!

 

As long as they keep using the throttle-by-wire, there will be lag. The computer is not as "smart" as a mechanical linkage.

Steve

 

Steve,

You are probably right--the throttle-by-wire is probably the biggest influence on the throttle response. Although, I have a late model BMW that even with the throttle-by-wire, seems "snappier" than the Mini's.

rodd

 

The lag has always been noticeable in MINI's. We have one of the first '02's and even if you hold it at 3k rpm steady (in gear) and then gas it, there is a noticeable delay between the accelerator moving and the engine responding.

 

any best way to fix it. I love the power of the car, but hate the lag when flooring it! I almost wonder if a software fix can help?

 

I have a very bad case of this problem. I have MTH, pulley and an intake, and i have a massive delay between throttle depression and the engine actually responding. If i hit the gas, the intake makes a sucking noise as it should, but the engine/exhaust doesn't make a sound or movement until half a second later, and sometimes it even drops below idle. Does anyone know what could cause this problem?

 

my car is completely the opposite. I find its too jumpy, and will respond to the smallest provocation. I think its my VGS mod, and when i get home ill put it back to stock and see if its any better... Maybe check out your BPV and see if its sticking for a sec?

 

Yeh i suspected it might be the BPV. Cos i've played with it and i wasn't completely happy with the way it was, and even after i fixed it, i still wasn't happy. The plate rested against the BPV walls rather than the adjustment screw, as it should

 

just checked the BPV valve today. Got my bro to hit the throttle while i watched the spindle. Seems to be moving fine, not sticking at all....

 

The drive by wire system is not the issue. These systems are just as fast or faster than mechanical linkages.
The off-idle lag is caused by a small displacement engine along with a crank driven supercharger and its associated systems. The cam profile also is designed for high rpms. A variable valve system would have helped this problem.
So when you give it gas at idle, you have no boost, parasitic drag and a cam profile that is designed for high revs working against you...
The dead spot is also amplified by a rush of power when the SC kicks in..
The mini has great mid-range torque and loves to wind out the revs. This is a great trade-off for a little bit of off-idle lag.

 

I'm a new driver () and I've noticed this as well. I pulled into our driveway and I was in 2nd, the revs must have been ~1500, and I floored it in a desperate attempt to scare the $*#% out of my mom. Not only did I not succeed at all, but the car didn't seem to accelerate at all during the 2 seconds or so that my foot was to the floor. Oh well... I'll have to remember to keep the revs up when I want to start learning what a MINI is all about.

I have driven the MINI a couple of times, but not in the last month, as I am stuck in boarding school. Talk about withdrawal...
I like the MINI's style a lot, but so many people here can't appreciate it. My friend keeps boasting about his new Range Rover (yes, 16 year-old with an $75,000 car, spoiled brat...). That is, until I picked up a car magazine. The Sport Supercharged version's acceleration is 0-60 in a whopping 6.5 - his must be 8 seconds or so

 

i wouldn't mind so much if there was a little bit of lag, but my lag is horrendous. Even a mate who knows more about mini's than anyone i know in aus says that there's something wrong, and suspected the BPV. He drove my car before it was modded, and he doesn't remember it lagging, and he tried it after all the mods listed, and he said it shouldn't be that bad at all, especially since i've done two things to help throttle response, ie MTH and ALTA CAI.

BTW, i always thought that the SC'ed range rover sport did 7 secs to 60mph....but come one, USD75,000 2.7 tonne supercharged truck that can handle, in the hands of a 16yo? That's an accident waiting to happen. I hope he treats it with respect

 

6.5 seconds in a 2.7 tonne car is pretty impressive, but yeah, i know what you mean... Fast in an SUV is very different than something like a mini.