How bad is the fuel economy on an early cooper S?
Discussion
Hi all,
The wife is thinking about getting rid of Her petrol hungry 4.4 x5 and really fancies getting back into another mini(she had a 2003 plate cooper before the x5)
I have done some searching through forums and the fuel economy figures they are quoting on pre 2007 cooper s with the scharger seems ridiculous. She is currently averaging around 18- 19 mpg in the x5 hence looking for a change. Average figures from owners of the cooper s are being talked in the low 20's MPG to high teens if driven hard. Surely it cant be that bad? I average around 22-24mpg out of my own e46 M3 and its much heavier, has 340 odd bhp and is driven with my foot welded to the floor when ever I get the chance!
What sort of average economy are owners here getting out of their cooper s?
The wife is thinking about getting rid of Her petrol hungry 4.4 x5 and really fancies getting back into another mini(she had a 2003 plate cooper before the x5)
I have done some searching through forums and the fuel economy figures they are quoting on pre 2007 cooper s with the scharger seems ridiculous. She is currently averaging around 18- 19 mpg in the x5 hence looking for a change. Average figures from owners of the cooper s are being talked in the low 20's MPG to high teens if driven hard. Surely it cant be that bad? I average around 22-24mpg out of my own e46 M3 and its much heavier, has 340 odd bhp and is driven with my foot welded to the floor when ever I get the chance!
What sort of average economy are owners here getting out of their cooper s?
My wife has a new Mini but her colleague has the earlier supercharger type. The difference in economy between the two is vast. The supercharger seldom manages 20mpg.
It seems that the supercharger can only manage economy if driven very gently all the time, which negates the purpose of buying the performance model. Even then it’s not great.
Either accept the poor economy and drive it properly. Or if you are forced to drive the S slowly for economy then a Cooper faster, but cheaper to buy and run. If finances permit then go for the later turbo.
It seems that the supercharger can only manage economy if driven very gently all the time, which negates the purpose of buying the performance model. Even then it’s not great.
Either accept the poor economy and drive it properly. Or if you are forced to drive the S slowly for economy then a Cooper faster, but cheaper to buy and run. If finances permit then go for the later turbo.
I run mine on super-unleaded only, and get 26-29 mpg with mixed driving. I managed 33 mpg on a 340 mile run once, but that was about the only time it's ever cracked the 30 mpg barrier. Even on the run down to Le Mans last year it averaged under 30.
When I used to run it on normal unleaded, the average was consistantly under 25, and on one occasion, I even emptied the tank in under 200 miles.
When I used to run it on normal unleaded, the average was consistantly under 25, and on one occasion, I even emptied the tank in under 200 miles.
Thanks for the replies. It seems crazy the economy is so bad. I have had a number of quick cars over the years and driven most of them fairly hard including a 911 carrera and my current M3. most over time have averaged low to mid 20's (although mostly on super) and are far more powerful and heavier than the mini. Shame cause the wife had her heart set on one, but kind of defeats the purpose of buying something more economical than the X5. May need to take another look at the audi tt. We had a seat cupra r a couple of years ago with the same engine and it averaged high 20's to low 30's on regular unleaded. Not really asking for anything silly, just a high 20's average with a bit of performance
Gav, does your wife drive her X5 as hard as it sounds like you drive your car?
I own a 52 plate MCS and on my daily commute (mostly motorways and a roads) I get 33mpg, getting about 320-340 miles out of a tank. When I push on a little fuel economy gets down to the mid 20's. I am running purely on super rather than regular unleaded. I take care of the car and service it regularly, don't carry a lot of unnecessary crap around with me and enjoy the car for its handling rather than outright speed. If it is speed she wants then I wouldn't recommend getting a MCS, there are plenty of hotter hatches out there.
I own a 52 plate MCS and on my daily commute (mostly motorways and a roads) I get 33mpg, getting about 320-340 miles out of a tank. When I push on a little fuel economy gets down to the mid 20's. I am running purely on super rather than regular unleaded. I take care of the car and service it regularly, don't carry a lot of unnecessary crap around with me and enjoy the car for its handling rather than outright speed. If it is speed she wants then I wouldn't recommend getting a MCS, there are plenty of hotter hatches out there.
When my gf drives my Cooper S she gets 30+mpg on a run between Leeds and Barnsley or Leeds - Thirsk.
My motorway commute with Super unleaded is returning 37ish at moment but 40mpg has been seen.
Around town, when it was still a new toy I was only getting 27,mpg though.
Depends on driving style. I'm sure it will be significantly better than the X5 and slightly better than the M3, but if fuel economy is the reason for the change in car, maybe think about a Cooper D.
My motorway commute with Super unleaded is returning 37ish at moment but 40mpg has been seen.
Around town, when it was still a new toy I was only getting 27,mpg though.
Depends on driving style. I'm sure it will be significantly better than the X5 and slightly better than the M3, but if fuel economy is the reason for the change in car, maybe think about a Cooper D.
The x5 doesnt get driven particularly hard to be honest. Alot of the wifes driving tends to be round town which really hurts the economy on a heavy V8 and she barely gets above 70mph on the motorway. When I do drive it it tends to be more motorway cruising or in traffic again rather than driving it agressively. That was part of the idea with the cooper s, I figured it was bound to be far better on petrol in traffic than the X5.
Thanks for some more positive comments on the economy of the Mcs. Mid to high 20's average would make a massive difference. The idea wasnt to get the most economic, fastest or most practical hatch, just a good fun combination of the three. At mid/high 20's it would save a grand or so a year in petrol as well as the cheaper road tax and servicing over the x5
Thanks again for all the comments
Thanks for some more positive comments on the economy of the Mcs. Mid to high 20's average would make a massive difference. The idea wasnt to get the most economic, fastest or most practical hatch, just a good fun combination of the three. At mid/high 20's it would save a grand or so a year in petrol as well as the cheaper road tax and servicing over the x5
Thanks again for all the comments
I never really get these low figures...
According to the trip computer, I average around 32 mpg on my daily route to work (30 minutes London to Surrey, via in-town, dual carriagway & back-roads, with approx 10 minutes @ 60 mph, 10 minutes @ 85 mph, 10 minutes @ 40 mph), but have seen >45 mpg as an average on certain trips. I fill up to the first click and get about 290 miles before the light comes on.
On a day to day basis, I bring her up to about 5,750 rpm but not much past there, as I feel it's a bit unnecessary, but I'm not exactly a granny, though I do like the growing torque if you accelerate from 50 - 90 in sixth. NOM NOM NOM.
According to the trip computer, I average around 32 mpg on my daily route to work (30 minutes London to Surrey, via in-town, dual carriagway & back-roads, with approx 10 minutes @ 60 mph, 10 minutes @ 85 mph, 10 minutes @ 40 mph), but have seen >45 mpg as an average on certain trips. I fill up to the first click and get about 290 miles before the light comes on.
On a day to day basis, I bring her up to about 5,750 rpm but not much past there, as I feel it's a bit unnecessary, but I'm not exactly a granny, though I do like the growing torque if you accelerate from 50 - 90 in sixth. NOM NOM NOM.
Wilburo said:
I never really get these low figures...
According to the trip computer, I average around 32 mpg on my daily route to work (30 minutes London to Surrey, via in-town, dual carriagway & back-roads, with approx 10 minutes @ 60 mph, 10 minutes @ 85 mph, 10 minutes @ 40 mph), but have seen >45 mpg as an average on certain trips. I fill up to the first click and get about 290 miles before the light comes on.
On a day to day basis, I bring her up to about 5,750 rpm but not much past there, as I feel it's a bit unnecessary, but I'm not exactly a granny, though I do like the growing torque if you accelerate from 50 - 90 in sixth. NOM NOM NOM.
You really want to explore >5,750 rpm, it wails like a banshee and takes off!According to the trip computer, I average around 32 mpg on my daily route to work (30 minutes London to Surrey, via in-town, dual carriagway & back-roads, with approx 10 minutes @ 60 mph, 10 minutes @ 85 mph, 10 minutes @ 40 mph), but have seen >45 mpg as an average on certain trips. I fill up to the first click and get about 290 miles before the light comes on.
On a day to day basis, I bring her up to about 5,750 rpm but not much past there, as I feel it's a bit unnecessary, but I'm not exactly a granny, though I do like the growing torque if you accelerate from 50 - 90 in sixth. NOM NOM NOM.
Silent1 said:
Wilburo said:
I never really get these low figures...
According to the trip computer, I average around 32 mpg on my daily route to work (30 minutes London to Surrey, via in-town, dual carriagway & back-roads, with approx 10 minutes @ 60 mph, 10 minutes @ 85 mph, 10 minutes @ 40 mph), but have seen >45 mpg as an average on certain trips. I fill up to the first click and get about 290 miles before the light comes on.
On a day to day basis, I bring her up to about 5,750 rpm but not much past there, as I feel it's a bit unnecessary, but I'm not exactly a granny, though I do like the growing torque if you accelerate from 50 - 90 in sixth. NOM NOM NOM.
You really want to explore >5,750 rpm, it wails like a banshee and takes off!According to the trip computer, I average around 32 mpg on my daily route to work (30 minutes London to Surrey, via in-town, dual carriagway & back-roads, with approx 10 minutes @ 60 mph, 10 minutes @ 85 mph, 10 minutes @ 40 mph), but have seen >45 mpg as an average on certain trips. I fill up to the first click and get about 290 miles before the light comes on.
On a day to day basis, I bring her up to about 5,750 rpm but not much past there, as I feel it's a bit unnecessary, but I'm not exactly a granny, though I do like the growing torque if you accelerate from 50 - 90 in sixth. NOM NOM NOM.
Silent1 said:
You really want to explore >5,750 rpm, it wails like a banshee and takes off!
Really? I always thought the bulk of the acceleration was done up to around 5,500rpm in the S, while the charger is working at it's peak, with it dropping off slightly thereafter. Peak torque is around 4,200 rpm...?I'll have to give it a try
Now feeling a little better about the MCS. To be honest the wife would probably be Ok with another cooper, but having driven one a couple of years ago I quite enjoyed the 'S' and as I drive her car every now and again am pushing her that way. As long as we could manage mid 20's upwards economy It would make sense out of getting rid of the X5. Now to look at 15% reduction pulleys and a remap to improve the performance!
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