>>On Item 2 - I would add that my few "bogs" have only happened when the car was very hot "fully heat soaked". I think this is relevant as I belliev that this one is the knock sensor detecting and retrding spark from a very hot intake charge. If anyone has had the "bog" on a less than very hot engine - then that probabaly kills my theory.
>>

For what it's worth, I've only noticed a really bad 'bog' when I've got the AC running. If I turn it off to launch, the car accelerates normally. With it on, the best remedy I've found is to rev high before slowly letting off the clutch. Not too good for the car, but better than getting into a potentially dangerous situation (like when crossing traffic lanes from a parking lot exit).

 

Agreed with most all of today's posts. Just a couple of quick points:

1) I find the yo-yo to occur when decelerating as well, especially when in 2nd or 3rd gear. It happens at exactly the same RPM range as the acceleration yo-yo.

2) RE: Nomonsters' lack of Stumble--I received mine the first week of June, and it came pre-loaded with stumble. Is it remotely possible that Nomonsters actually has a newer version of software installed, perhaps not available to US dealers, but being installed at the factory? Her car would have been built approximately one month after mine...Do any other "brand new" MCS drivers have anything to say about this. (*See new thread.)

 

^ Impossible to say re. #2 unless we knew for sure what version of the software you actually have and what version Nomonsters actually has. And, of course, we can't figure that out w/o the dealer. Same goes for all of us posting in this thread.

Also, the stumble is soooooo subjective. No disrespect, but unless I drove Nomonster's car I wouldn't be able to say one way or the other whether it had the stumble or not. The definitions posted today helped a lot, but we're still talking about subjective opinions on how ones car "feels."

 

I have been an observer since reporting this issue back last year as an early owner. I have had 2 upgrades.car is running better now, but unpredictable with AC on.......

Having worked with german companies for the last 10 years..my experience...besides overanalysis which causes paralysis in their business culture.........

THEY MAY NOT BE RIGHT, BUT THEY ARE NEVER WRONG............we are definitely caught up in red tape between USA and the fatherland...and the Brits thrown in for good measure.............lots of marketing folks and engineering folks pointing fingers, etc.....which causes delays in finding solutions to problems.........and not realizing what really is happening to the brand with existing and new potential customers, since the numbers are still good......a real shame......this safety issue is beyond the normal bugs of a first year model....this should have been discovered in testing before launch.......I will hang in there, but we all are contributing to depreciating the brand once this negative pr gets out to the general public..........on the other side the car was cheap anyways and a lesson learned once again in life.........view it as a disposable car after a few years.......you will be able to trade it in...........

 

>>^ Impossible to say re. #2 unless we knew for sure what version of the software you actually have and what version Nomonsters actually has. And, of course, we can't figure that out w/o the dealer. Same goes for all of us posting in this thread.
>>
>>Also, the stumble is soooooo subjective. No disrespect, but unless I drove Nomonster's car I wouldn't be able to say one way or the other whether it had the stumble or not. The definitions posted today helped a lot, but we're still talking about subjective opinions on how ones car "feels."


would you like me to call my dealer and ask? i would assume in the dealer prepping they installed the latest software.. and even if not my car finished production about the second week in june. whatever software i have.. all i know is my car runs fine.
i understand that, but myself and several other people have driven my car to date and the car runs smoothly... i have not noticed a thing.. if you wanna come here and test out my car be my guest.. theres nothing wrong with it...
i'm not here to argue.. i was trying to offer some hope because you seem to think everyone has this problem..
_________________

 

Look. If some says that their car runs smoothly, I'm inclined to believe her (or him.) I would actually be more wary of people NOT having the stumble and thinking that they did, because they don't know how to use a clutch!

That being said, Nomonsters--I was under the impression that basically everyone with the most up-to-date software had the problem, and that impression may or may not be correct. I'm thinking that your factory installed software (I would doubt that the dealer touched the ECU, but what do I know...) might actually be an up-to-date stumble-free version that hasn't made it to US dealers yet. My other survey thread may show us an answer or two there. We'll see!

Thanks everyone for the continued input on this HUGE thread!!!

 

Well I talked to the dealer today and my ECU is now in England! Hopefully this is it's last stop on it's Euro tour and is getting some nice fresh software! I'm still driving the MINI-provided rental car so I know they have to be concerned about the cost of all of this.

I'll let you know but I leave for vacation Sunday 7/27 for a week, so if you don't hear by Saturday, I didn't get my car back.

Graham

 

Graham,

Someone we both know (PK) told me they fried your ECU - so I guess you'll have a brand new one coming - but who really knows?

 

>>Graham,
>>
>>Someone we both know (PK) told me they fried your ECU - so I guess you'll have a brand new one coming - but who really knows?

Tokio, thanks for letting me know! I'm not going to call them as I'm going on vacation. I'll be dreaming of nice, freshly loaded, stumble free software while cruisin' the Caribbean and sipping something that I haven't decided on yet. Maybe a Tom Collins or some rum concoction. Anyway I'm through worrying about this 'till I get back! Leaving on Sunday!

Graham

 

>>I would agree with all of what you wrote cpeters. I'd like to add a number 4 if I could, but to be honest I'm not entirely sure if it is related and might be a completely different issue (I'm sure somebody on here will know). At redline (regardless of gear) the engine cuts out until the rpms come back down below red. I mean if I wanna blow my engine, let me do it...it's my friggin car!
>>
>>Not related to this thread? Well it could be. Bear with me...Let's say the ecu is trained to do the "engine cut out" thing at redline, and for some strange reason it is erroneously detecting "redline" when we are attempting our normal take offs. The ecu then does it's job and cuts the engine out (very, very briefly, causing a stumble) and then allows the engine back on again once it realises it's mistake. Does that make sense to anybody? I haven't been wrong on anything for decades, so I'm with me on this.
>>
>>Ken


What? This is a joke, right??? All modern engines have fuel cut-offs at redline. I'm sorry but there's just no way they are related.

 

greatgro,

You are right in them probably not being related but it certainly does have the same sensation when it happens.

 

>> i'm not here to argue.. i was trying to offer some hope because you seem to think everyone has this problem..

Understood, but if you'd read most of my recent posts on this thread, my point was EXACTLY the opposite! I do not think that every MCS stumbles...and this is what makes describing this problem so bloody difficult. Some stumble dramatically, some not at all, and some do it in such a subtle way that it not be discernable to the driver who has no other point of reference than his/her own car (I was suggesting that your car might be in that latter category).

Anyhow, great for you that you have a stumble-free MCS.

ps -- they don't install software during "dealer prepping." Not unless they fry your DME or something...

 

OK EVERYONE!!!! Your attention please. :smile:

I am just excited, sorry! Here's the scoop:

On Wednesday I got a call from a dealer asking me if I could come by on Friday to meet with an engeneer from BMW to take a look at my MCS and see what the"stumble" feels like.

So today, Friday, I went there at 9am. There was 2 engeneers with cool accents (one German, one Polish) that were extremely cool. We took a drive around the parking lot, and....... NO STUMBLE!!! Is it the biggest Murphey's law or what?

Then they asked me to drive their MCS to see if it felt any different, and it didn't. except for smoother tranny. (I mean the shifting of the gears itself, not driving)

Anyway.. They took my car to their "research center" for the day, to try some new software versions, and thanked me for letting them use my car as a Guinnea Pig.

They also mentioned that they are going to AZ soon, because it seems that most of complaints are coming from that neck of the woods, (heat, elevation?) so i am positive fixes are comig soon.

Will let you guys know how it feels after their "updates" (I'm getting my baby back at 5pm) , and I have to let them know on Monday if it feels any different.

Motor On!

 

)? Or come to the northeast where we also seem to have some stumblers. Maybe they'll be coming my way after AZ. I'll look out for the guys with the strange accents. Were they wearing lab coats?

 

That is tremendous news Phobol...with the exception of NO Stumble when they tried it. As you say, that is typical isn't it? Just wondering though, are you saying they were able to get it to scream off the line each and every time they tried? Or did they even try flooring it and only attempt 'normal' take offs? I wish they'd have picked my car to try that with coz there is no way in hell she'll do it (Murphy's Law or no Murphy's Law).

Ken

 

No Lab coats, but they did have ID badges. I tried screaming off the line, I tried "normal" starts, nothing, just a fine acceleration. Though they went driving it to the town about 10 miles away, so I am pretty sure they'll experience it.

Though today is an unusually dry, cool day. (Northern NJ). I don't even know what I'm doing in fron of the computer on a day like this! Oh, right.. I don't have my MINI, and I'm at work ..

you guys are so pessimistic! it's a good news I delivered, not bad.

 

Yes Phobol, that IS good news, and I didn't mean to suggest otherwise. I'll be very curious to find out what they say...and hope that you can grill them for info. :smile:

 

Well, I'm here in AZ with a Cooper, and I have stopped driving mine because of the shaking and stalling. I'm afraid to drive my car because it has stalled in intersections and driving on major roads. It's been this way for about four months now. The dealership tells me there is nothing I can do but wait. No help from them at all. I am about ready to call MINI and demand something happen soon. I'm just frustrated, and I miss driving my car.

 

Sugar,

When you do talk to Mini USA don't say "soon" they seem to think that means indefinately.

Ask Mini what the problem is and if they say it is a software problem - ask Mini to give you the same software that all the cars without problems are running on.

It really is a rediculous situation. Seems like BMW are clowns.

_________________
'03 S DS

 

I already have all the newest software updates. I'm just waiting for the "one" to fix this issue that they have been working on for months.

 

Just called MINIUSA and they were not able to give me any information on the update. All he did is leave a message with my service advisor explaining the issues and troubles I have been having. Blah!!!

 

OK, OK, Update!

The two "Engeneers" took my car away, and when I came to pick it up, they weren't at the dealer, so I couldn't get any info directly out of them, but I spoke w/service manager and he told me they just "reprogrammed the ECU".

Anyway, I don't know WHAT they did, but the car is (knock, knock, knock) running like a friggin' champ! 30 Miles so far, no stumble in first (or any for that matter) and it feels a lot stronger. and I mean stronger, not more powerful. It pulls equally well in all gears and the engine sounds a lot smoother. I can't explain the feeling, maybe "stiffer".

No yo-yo either, and in 6th going slightly uphill it just moved from 70 to 80 without any "hesitation" or slumpy feeling.

Now the only problem that I have is myself. I got so used to adjusting for the stumble that now I can't drive normal...LOL

These are my impressions so far. It's only been 30 miles, and my previous stumble started after 50, so who knows... (maybe those engeneers?)

So far I'm happy, and I think MINI is onto something. The "engeneers" said that they don't write the software themselves, but they send info and test software for BMW. So I assume and hope that the fix is coming soon for everyone.

BTW, I drove a '04 Corolla today, as a loaner... what a boat.

 

Just now played my phone messages and my car is ready for Saturday pickup! Whooohooo! Going on vacation on Sunday but will try to give you my impressions.

Graham

 

I may be adding Arizona to my roadtrip itinerary far sooner than I expected... do you think, Phobol, that you could send me an artist's rendering of Hans and Stan?

(That is super fabulous news about your car, too!!! )

Graham: Happy vacation!

 

Phobol, that really is fantastic news. Tell you what you have to do for us...Give us all the name and phone number of your dealer, and the service manager's name too please. I'm going to go into my dealer on Monday and have my guy call your guy to see what they did and what mine needs to do.

You might want to warn your guy he might be a busy man if everybody else follows suit.

Thanks.

Ken