What's up with MINI gas mileage

[rumatt]

OK, someone explain the variation from year to year with the Mini gas mileage?

	         Cooper S		         Base Cooper		
	City 	Highway	Average         City	Highway	Average
2003	22	31	25	         25	33	28
2004	22	31	25	         25	33	28
2005	22	29	24	         24	33	28
2006	22	29	24	         24	33	28
2007	25	32	28	         27	36	31
2008	26	34	29	         28	37	32

I know the supercharger was changed to a turbo in 2007, and this made it more efficient. But that doesn't explain the big jump in the base model.

I know the EPA reporting changed at some point, but I thought it made mileages go down not up (maybe it was 2005 explaining the drop?)

[Rob]

The most important aspect about that chart is that you realize there is only a 3 mpg difference between the base engine and the S engine - make the decision to get the S model really, really easy.

[Plaz]

Originally Posted by rumatt

OK, someone explain the variation from year to year with the Mini gas mileage?

	         Cooper S		         Base Cooper		
	City 	Highway	Average         City	Highway	Average
2003	22	31	25	         25	33	28
2004	22	31	25	         25	33	28
2005	22	29	24	         24	33	28
2006	22	29	24	         24	33	28
2007	25	32	28	         27	36	31
2008	26	34	29	         28	37	32

I also know the EPA reporting changed at some point, but I thought it made mileages go down not up (maybe it was 2005 explaining the drop?)

I know the supercharger was changed to a turbo in 2007, and this made it more efficient. But that doesn't explain the big jump in the base model.

They didn't just switch from supercharger to turbo, they switched from a Chrysler engine to a BMW/Peugeot mill.

I don't know what the deal is with the changes between '07 and '08... engine software tuning, perhaps?

[rumatt]

Originally Posted by Plaz

They didn't just switch from supercharger to turbo, they switched from a Chrysler engine to a BMW/Peugeot mill.

Even the base model?

Any other major changes for 2007 ? Suspension, etc?

[JST]

Originally Posted by rumatt

Even the base model?

Any other major changes for 2007 ? Suspension, etc?

Yes, the 2007 MY was the first year of the R56, as opposed to the R53. Different engines across the board (including, IIRC, Valvetronic and DI, which explains the better gas mileage), different chassis, different body--totally new car. The R56 is fractionally bigger and slightly lighter than the R53.

[ZBB]

Don't forget -- the EPA changed its MPG calculation for the 2008 model year also -- so the '07 to '08 changes are pretty much due to that.

The '07 to '08 change was related to the engine change -- BMW/Chrysler to BMW/Peugot for both regular and S, and supercharger to turbo on the S

[SARAFIL]

2002 - 2004 Cooper S models were manual only, coupe only.

2005 added the Convertible and auto tranny for the Cooper S.

2007/2008 model year is old body style convertible and new bodysytle coupe (different engine/tranny in each) as well as the EPA calculation change in 2008.

[lemming]

direct injection, too plus valvetronic?

the new motors are superior for MPGs.

there are gear heads who swear by the reliability of the supercharged motor and its ability to withstand tons of abuse and higher boost levels --because i need to drive a CooperWorks supercharged car, i'm not convinced.

the turbo gives the engine a lot of life lower in the powerband where it's generally more useful. and with DI, it's a lot more frugal.