yet another MPG update / ECU software / Carchip

MPG update
Date---------------Cost----Ltrs--Gallons--Miles--ltrs/ml--MPG---Total Mileage--Type
29/11/04--£43.34--47.64--10.48----299------0.16---28.5--19773---------OPTIMAX

Trip Comp 31.2MPG : 27.6 avgMPH : 8 mls to go

ECU Software
Read some more on the forums about the 'stumble' when applying throttle from idle.
Seems linked to earlier software versions. I have downloaded the procedure to check the cars version and take it from there.

CarChip DataLogger
Managed to buy a power adaptor from Maplin. Installed a newer version of the software and tested it out.
Looks good , no fault codes recorded. Although quite how useful it is Im not sure LOL.
Maybe I'll sell it on..

Also my first ebay sale , the rear light rings from a fiat coupe group buy arrived last week , so I have put them on a 10day listing to see how it goes...

Roll on Christmas.... Ho Ho Ho......

Date-------Cost-----Litres-Gallons-Mileage-ltrs/mile-mls/gallon-Total Mileage--Type
21/11/04-£38.60-43.42---9.55-----280-----0.16------29.3------19474--OPTIMAX

Trip Data
31.7 MPG
25.7 MPH avg
40 miles to go

Bought a pair of front mudlaps and a carchip datalogger from www.moss-mini.co.uk
Mudlaps are functional and non exciting , the carchip looks like fun.
The only downside I can see is that you are limited to recording 4 channels and the interval is 5 secs minimum. Plus it arrived with a 110V US plug which aint no good.....

I've plugged it in (under the steering wheel on the MINI) so it can record until I find an AC adaptor LOL. Its supposed to record for 300hrs !

Mudflaps on ASAP with the way the weathers going just now!

MPG update / Ramblings / Sis gets a Cooper

MPG Update
Date------Cost--Litres-Gallons-Mileage-ltrs/ml-mls/gallon-Total Mileage--Type
18/11/04-£42.17-47.97---10.55----298----0.16------28.2------19194---OPTIMAX--

Trip Comp suggested 31.7 MPG , 26.2 Avg Speed , 12 miles to go before empty.
I reset the MPG and avg speed at each fill up so its not a cumulative average over all tanks.
It seems that the 'real' MPG is around 2mpg less than the computer suggests.
Car now has done 1700 miles since we bought it , and its the first time I've had to add oil! (0.25 litres). Like water it is too!(0W30) , I thought reading a fiat coupe dipstick was a black art , but the MINI is worse :-) esp just after an oil change.

Ramblings
Car continues to run great.
Traction control way too intrusive in the wet which really impedes rapid progress.
Its a good job you can turn it off :-)
I continue to be surprised by the pre-05 'S' gearbox ratios !!!
1st is way too long , 2nd not much better and 3rd to 6th are way too close .....
Car will pull 6th at 30mph and yet car parks and crawling in rush hour traffic can be troublesome in 1st. Its not a big problem but certainly something that doesnt utilise the MINI's engine to its full.

With a bit more info under my belt , it seems that normal tyres DO fit on the std wheels , so that may be a future option (including a can of tyre weld :-))
Perhaps some nice sexy Goodyear GSD3's ? mmmm

Seen several Minis over the last few days..A big wave to them..
A cool (and relatively rare) pepper white 'S' at Heathfield roundabout in Ayr.
A superb black Cooper with Arospeed rims at St Georges Cross in Glasgow.

I have to say , coming from a 'classic' mini background I prefer ye olde side exit exhaust :-) with a nice rolled edge...
On a big plus side , it appears that you can buy the Works AirBox seperately :-)
I also picked up the touch up paint from the local dealer this week.

Family Affair
Sis gets a new MINI Cooper. Yes its true there are now 2 MINIS in the family..
A brand new 05 spec Cooper Chilli Red/White Roof+mirrors. It looks stunning and has all the new fancy bits. I especially like the MPH readout on the rev counter and the lights in the inner door handles. She was really excited and I hope she enjoys it.

Heres a quick pic of the Mini Cooper 04 Red/White roof + mirrors and an arty version of the same pic for fun....

MPG update

Date---------Cost-Litres-Gallons-Mileage-ltrs/mi---MPG-Total_Mileage--Type-
05/11/04-£40.34-45.38---9.98----259--------0.18-25.9-18896--OPTIMAX

Trip--29.4-MPG,30mls-to-go , as ever the figures differ more than a little LOL.

Car runs great , but short commuting is not good for high mpg!
Also beginning to get annoyed with the 'stutter' that always happens the first time you press the accelerator from cold....

Sadly the super sexy Apexi AVCR which I had planned to fit into the old Fiat Coupe has now been sold (sorry Allan!) , need it to pay for fuel....

Also bought a MINI parts list from ebay. Also bid on a short shifter because it was sooo cheap.....

Wish list : MicroRoadPilot(in silver) [GPS speed trap detector]
: Ipod Mini or Ipod
: Replace Boost Cassette with Boost CD player (none yet on ebay!)
: More Power ! (BBR / West Tuning or JCW are current favourites)

Enjoy...

MINI MPG/Tyres

MPG
Date--------Cost--Litres--Gallons--Mileage--ltrs/mi--MPG--Total--Type-
28/10/04--£40.00--44.99-----9.90-----315------0.14---31.8-18367-OPTIMAX

First mpg report for the new car.
Calculations say 31.8MPG whereas the Trip Computer stated
35.1MPG (avg) :: 31.2mph (avg) :: 21miles est to empty
Apparently you can adjust the trip comp's adjustment factor....
Whatever its still good.

MINI seems to drink fuel when driven spiritedly or during the warmup phase from cold.
Once warm and cruising tho the mileage seems excellent.

FlyByWire throttle can be annoying. It seems to have 3 positions.
Off/Middle/Full Throttle. Mapping for the car from cold is awful , you can feel the car go through huge flat spots at 1500 and 2200 rpms.

Tyres
Did some research about run-flat tyres for 17 inch wheels.
First thing that strikes me is the sheer weight of them!!!!!
The good news is that I can get my favourite tyre (Goodyear Eagle F1) in a run flat config.
Autocar reported that Pirelli's give a hard ride compared to Dunlop or Goodyear equivalents.
I have the Chilli Pack so I run...(data courtesy of www.mini2.com)
17" x 7" alloys fitted with 205/45 run flat tires:
R85 S-spoke (aka LeMans, S-lite) ET50 25.1lb (11.4kg)
which have OEM options of

205/45-17 TIRE WEIGHT (*)
------------------------- --------------- ---
Dunlop SP Sport 9000 DSST 21.8lb ( 9.9kg) P
Pirelli Eufori@ 22.0lb (10.0kg) P
Goodyear Eagle RS-A EMT 30.4lb (13.8kg) A
(*)
---
P = performance (summer) tire
A = all-season tire

I run Pirelli Eufori all round with 2 new fronts put on when we bought the car.
I simply cannot believe the unsprung weights!!!!!
If I choose to go to F1's then I add 4kg per corner which as unsprung is massive.
A MINI with new wheels and non run flats must be truly amazing as the car is it is feels great.
Need to find normal wheel and tyre weights to compare.
The pirelli's are good but let go too soon in the wet and provide little feedback at the limit.
I have yet to try the dry weather limits!

Later...

The artist in me....

Leaving work last night it just so happened to look like this........

What a picture if I do say so myself !
Enjoy