Supercharger or turbo charger

[Beemer-5]

Presumably, the move to the latter means that the factory see it as the best option, but which do you think is best in a Mini?
I actually prefer the supercharged engine.

[Hobzy]

Supercharged all the way for me. But its easier and cheaper for them to turbocharge the new engine. More scope for tuners too.

[gonzales]

I like the whine of the supercharger but there is more scope for doing engine mods to the turbo, plus it is cheaper to tax. Won't be swapping to a R56 though.

[Twit]

Having driven both there is no doubt that the turbo engine us better than the supercharged one. Its was more gutsy and feels much more tractable. However, the supercharged engine sounds a bit better and probably feels a little more special. Horses for courses really, generally those with supercharged engines will say those are best; those with turbos will say theirs are best!!!

They are both good.

[baSkey]

you'll be able to get decent oomph out of the turbo in a few months no doubt but it'll possibly get a bit laggy.

as twit said they're better at different things.

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as an interesting aside i was behind an ibiza cupra (current 180bhp one) on the motorway. everytime the traffic cleared if we were doing a decent speed he'd drop me for a little bit..if we were going slower i had to watch out that i didn't run up the back of him..! it was a really good example of the difference in the instant power of a supercharger vs the on/off boost of a turbo. by all accounts the mini turbo is better mapped than the vag unit but you know what i mean.

[Twit]

The thing with the mini turbo is the buttefly, basically the turbo boost is there from the outset and there isnt any lag at all. I have never really driven a turbo engine like it, and I've driven a few, is phenomenal and if it was a big capacity engine with the same set up it would be mega. If you havent driven one go and try them. I was expecting it to be a bit rubbish, having been a bit inderwhelmed by the supercharged unit, but it was brilliant!

You simply don't get caught off boost!!!!

[anissut]

I have to agree with Twit. There really is no lag from the 1.6 Turbo in the Mini. Pretty much any gear at almost any revs there is instant pick up. The torque is great for our congested stop start roads as with a free revving engine, before it gets into its stride you end up getting stuck behind another car. The strange thing with the Turbo engine is due to the low rev torque it has you are almost disappointed when you put your foot down past 4000rpm as all the action seems to have already happened. Great engine though and feels very quick I must say.

[baSkey]

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baSkey said:

by all accounts the mini turbo is better mapped than the vag unit

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i reckon the turbo unit probably is a good bit better.
i also reckon it has less character.

overall i'd probably want an r50 9i really have to learn the number of my own car..) with the r56 turbo engine... but with the 'sound kit thingy'

apart from anything it's the extra economy that'd be nice in this day and age..

[Loui]

Think the engine in my R53 works S will be going turbo`d, although until then the 240bhp on tap will put a smile on my face

[Miss Swiss Tone]

Supercharged all the way for me!

Having driven the new R56 I would say that I much prefer the super to the turbo.

Slight bit of lag I thought..............

[Beemer-5]

On the road i just feel the supercharger works earlier than the turbo.

Is there anywhere to get a power and torque graph for my Works GP?

[John Boy]

Even though I havn't drove a turbo charge engine, I still very much perfer the supercharge engine.
The whine and the sound, brillant!

[parc77]

Has to be the supercharger, for me that sound is up there with straight six, V8, V12, and adds character