Just to chime in on the Techron results, I added a bottle of Techron at my last fill-up this past Saturday. Since then, I've driven about 1/2 a tank (the mileage does seem better!) and can confirm what others above have said about the stumble. That is, it's less pronounced and can more easily be eliminated altogether with some relatively mild clutch slipping. I've found that if I turn off the AC, the stumble is almost gone entirely. With the AC on, it's still there, but milder.

Low end performance -- which is probably what I'm really talking about visa vis the AC being on/off -- seems ever-so-slightly improved. Just a little more grunt....but enough to make a difference.

Morning starting (cranking) is still long and anemic. By the latter, I mean that the car doesn't exactly roar to life when the starter starts it. Rather, it sort of weakly turns over and takes a couple of seconds (2?) to come up to normal RPM. This has been the case ever since about 50 miles into my 33.2 software update.

So, in short, Techron makes a difference. What I think it does is to improve (somehow) low end performance. This in turn compensates/masks the OTHER problems, which I'm thinking (and this was either covered above or in another one of the stumble threads) relate to the drive-by-wire throttle AND/OR the clutch. This is the same effect (I'm guessing) as experienced by people with various mods which improve low end performance (intake?). Improving performance gets the "stumble" to the point where it may not be felt by all drivers, and hence some of the posts (from folks with late-model software that SHOULD stumble) that say that their cars don't stumble. In other words, every car with version 33.X stumbles...it's just not perceptable by some drivers and in some modified MCSs.

As for the mileage, I really want to test this. I actually hadn't thought about it until Jstines mentined it. I am wary of the MINI's mileage computer...but a truly dramatic change should be apparent rather quickly. It'll take a couple of tanks to really test that.

And as to the comment a while back about whether the Techron effect would be increased by adding more Techron...well, the bottle says that "results may improve" with an additional bottle. What I think this means is that if you use two bottles (on two consecutive tanks) to start, you may see better results. After that, you should probably just do the bottle every 3000 miles as recommended.

Now the bigger question -- and one that I'm quite curious about since we're taking the time to discuss this -- is WHY does this stuff work? What is it about Techron and/or Chevron gas that improves performance and mileage? My engine is only 18000 miles old, so I know it's not an issue of heavy valve deposits (as illustrated on the Techron bottle). Is there anyone here who knows enough about the technical issues related to fuel to hazzard an informed guess?

 

Just be careful about too much Techron. This stuff eventually finds its way into the oil and thins it.

 

<<<On that subject, what direction do you think we should take if I get a disappointing answer this week?>>>

I think, if you don't get at least SOMETHING from them, then there's certainly a need for mass mobilization. Email is good, phone is better (recalling from my PennPIRG days

 

I saw the thread regarding the Global dealership and contacted my dealer in Cincinnati. They said there was no software fix, to date, and that they were still have problems releasing the new upgrade due to emission concerns. She also mentioned that all dealers would receive this update at the same time and mentioned there were no service bulletins for the dealership.

Is it possible that one dealer has received this fix prior to others or have they confused this with the software version we are all having the same problems with. I have heard of other owners who have had the latest release and have had no issues.

 

He told me he had v.34 but they could not official start putting it on until all dealerships had it, I dont what they do unofficialy but he said he had it, it would not be official until I receive the letter. he did mention that other dealerships did not have it yet and they were also waiting on some boot device?

On mini2 some guy from Britan posted that he had 34 installed and it fixed, but then I saw another that said it was not fixed.

this was all setting at his desk while checking out, so I think he was giving me a heads up on v34 comming soon, Officially.

 

Yes. :evil:

 

>>[quote]>>Like it or not, these software upgrades are NOT perfect when BMW releases them; and BMW does not seem to inform every dealer of everything all at the same time. To add to the confusion, MINIUSA is not apparently capable of communicating with its customers in a consistent or fully informed manner. Thus, one dealer could very much be doing guinea pig duty for the entire system. If we pick this sort of thing up as rumor (which frankly ALL of what we're dealing with here actually is), we can easily end up going off half cocked and getting a WORSE car than we have now. Fine if BMW wants to do things this way, but I'm not going to put my car up for testing in this way. :evil:
>>

Well said! So if MINI comes out with a fix, who is up for it? I actually would not mind since I own a kind of guinea pig car anyway (demonstrator for my aftermarket customers), but I'd want y'all to back me up if it sucks.

Graham

 

I got yer back, Graham!

But uhhhh... I mean... you first, really. You've been waiting longer, I wouldn't want to jump ahead. No no... I insist!

 

94 octane from Sunoco has helped with the stumble slightly............mine only does it when I am turning with AC on and getting on it hard......stumbles after 2000 rpm in First gear.......stumbles at idle deceleration with AC on, once in a while now.....mileage has reduced 2 mile per gallon........to 25.6...........

 

>>I got yer back, Graham!
>>
>>But uhhhh... I mean... you first, really. You've been waiting longer, I wouldn't want to jump ahead. No no... I insist!

Heard from MINI today. I'm going experimental with some stuff out of MINI-Division that will eventually be packaged for Dealership install. No details, no timeframe, but my car will be on downtime for a while.

Pray for me!

Gaham

 

So they are sending your dealer an experimental fix? Did they tell you anything about the fix ... ie was it hardware or software?

R

 

^^^

Fearless leader!!! I'm thinking super-positive thoughts for you and your MINI!

 

>>So they are sending your dealer an experimental fix? Did they tell you anything about the fix ... ie was it hardware or software?
>>
>>R

All I know is that I take my car to the dealer, they ship the ECU to New Jersey where it get's worked on, and a few days later I get my car back. I didn't get any more details than that. If you want me to guess, they have a beta release that they want field tested. I'm up for it! The guy did say that they are only doing a few of these, before setting the dealers up to do it. Again ne details, no timeframes.

Graham

 

Hmmmmm..... sending the ECU off? Well, it's obviously software based change they are making. The interest point I see is that you are sending in the ECU. Makes me wonder if it has anything to do with the software not totally loading as a Euro MINI owner indicated. He had to have his MINI's ECU sent in to be corrected and then was fine. Hmmmmmm..... That would further the basis that it's a software loading issue, especially since it's not affecting completely similar cars (build date/options/software version).

R

 

You go Graham! We anxiously await your report.

And yes, for what it's worth, I'll back you up.

I think Dave's right in his guess about what's up with the ECU. I seem to recall several posts about either having to send ECUs in for "updating" or incomplete software loading.

 

I just got a call back for my dealer service and they acknowledge the fact that the stumble is a software problem and Corporate is working on a fix. His answer on an estimated time frame was 30-90 days out. I am in the Chicago area and this is a reputable dealer too, if that helps.


Peter

 

All I know is that I take my car to the dealer, they ship the ECU to New Jersey where it get's worked on, and a few days later I get my car back. I didn't get any more details than that. If you want me to guess, they have a beta release that they want field tested. I'm up for it! The guy did say that they are only doing a few of these, before setting the dealers up to do it. Again ne details, no timeframes.

>>Graham

Graham, which dealer is doing this for you. I live in Dallas and offered my car's ECU up as a guinea pig for this operation. I haven't heard back from Marc Casteel, the MINI service rep at John Roberts -

Karl

 

>>Graham, which dealer is doing this for you. I live in Dallas and offered my car's ECU up as a guinea pig for this operation. I haven't heard back from Marc Casteel, the MINI service rep at John Roberts -
>>
>>Karl
>>

Marc can't do this for you. It has to be authorized by MINI.

Graham

 

Today, I spoke to the service manager @ Hassell Mini here on Long Island....

He mentioned that he had several cars...w/ "stumble" /"yo-yo" issues.

He stated that what he had to do was re-load the software ..sometimes...several times before all components actually ...loaded correctly.

He's a great guy,,, his name is Alex and I'm sure he'll talk to anyone who calls w/ a problem.

Hope this helps y'all

Peace,
D

 

I am now without my MINI for a little while. I expect the ECU back from MINI by the middle/end of next week. I'll keep you posted. BTW do you want driving impressions of a rental Chrysler Sebring 2 Door?

Graham

 

BTW do you want driving impressions of a rental Chrysler Sebring 2 Door? >>

That's scary !

A big thank you to you, Graham! For letting your great MINI be a "test" for the uploading of the software! Your MINI really Rocks! I know you will miss it!

Well, ok, tell us what it's like driving that Grandpa car Chrysler!

What's it's score on the Smile Factor rating ? a 1 !!!
BJ

 

>>BTW do you want driving impressions of a rental Chrysler Sebring 2 Door? >>
>>
>>That's scary !
>>
>>A big thank you to you, Graham! For letting your great MINI be a "test" for the uploading of the software! Your MINI really Rocks! I know you will miss it!
>>
>>Well, ok, tell us what it's like driving that Grandpa car Chrysler!
>>
>>What's it's score on the Smile Factor rating ? a 1 !!!
>>BJ

Well on the evasive lane change test, I'd say a 2, the slalom, maybe a 1. I cannot get over this slop in the connection between my hands and the road! Understeer? We need a new word! I can't imagine what those front tires look like (all up on the outsides?) trying to get this thing through the corners. OMG! Anyway I don't mean to be so critical, but people don't demand much of their vehicles do they? As long as it feels like you're sitting on a couch with a phone close at hand, nice squishy feel to iron out the bumps, hey whatever, it's OK right? At driving school, I've seen a vehicle that Mom's drive their kids in up on two wheels at 35mph during evasive manouvering whereas MINIS could do it at 60mph or more!

Hey sorry for being off topic but I could not resist!

Graham

 

>>Hey sorry for being off topic but I could not resist!

Nothing wrong with being off topic. We've got nothing but time in this thread.

A couple of notes just to pass the time:

1) Rented a "really nice" Nissan Altima a couple of weeks ago, and I had the exact same impressions as Graham: people pay really good money to get a "couch-like" experience out of their cars. It's really not enjoyable. In the city these barcaloungecars aren't too bad. They certainly suck up the potholes better than COOP does, but get out on the highway, and it's just plain sloppy--rolling up and down and just generally slow to respond to any driver input. No fun whatsoever!

2) So, Graham, you're getting work done to your ECU. Maybe I've missed something (actually, I can almost guarantee that I have), but you already have aftermarket ECU work done, according to your signature. Does using a not-exactly-stock setup not bother them at all for using you as a guinea pig?

--Maxwell

 

So, Graham, you're getting work done to your ECU. Maybe I've missed something (actually, I can almost guarantee that I have), but you already have aftermarket ECU work done, according to your signature. Does using a not-exactly-stock setup not bother them at all for using you as a guinea pig?
>>
>>--Maxwell

Well, they are going to totally overright the ECU so it won't matter to them. The point is I will test it over a period of several weeks and report my findings here on this ONE thread. Not on all the others. I expect to be able to make an initial report by next Friday, July 18 at the latest. I have made arrangements for several MINI owners that have this stumble problem to also drive my car. They may elect to report their findings also.

After I'm all done with that I'll get my pulley software updates redone.

Graham

 

Don't forget that Nissan will sell an awful lot more Altimas and Chrysler many more Sebrings than all of the MINIs sold across the planet. Point is, what's not fun for us is perfectly good (and desirable) by others. That's the definition of "to each their own." :smile:

Hey, I'm still on my FIRST tank with the Techron! I have been anxious to drive the full tank and then try one without...but this stuff has seemingly improved my gas mileage sufficiently so that I'm buying gas about 50% less often than usual. That's at least one positive benefit. Yeah, I know, I should just go driving to run out the tank...but unfortunately no time for that this week.

I just hope that when the DME/software fix comes through that it doesn't come with a substantial reduction in gas mileage...