Auto Start-Stop Function

[mini_specter]

What are your thoughts on the new Auto Start-Stop Function coming out on the MINI? It is a design measure to conserve fuel, when the driver places the gear lever in neutral and removes foot from the clutch the engine turns off. The engine restarts as soon as clutch is depressed. There is a monitor system so as not to shut engine as well as AC down when it's 100 degrees out, there is also a override switch. I'm thinking complexity which would lead to more wear and tear on starter than normal along with additional potential of more things going wrong as car ages. Of course better MPG is always a good thing as that is one of the factors of why I'm thinking about getting a MINI.

http://motoringfile.com/2007/05/25/mini-increases-efficiency-for-2008-models/

[Casper]

I agree with you - excessive wear and tear on starter, aging concerns, increased workload on battery and inverter, additional cost of system and what about the response time, when the traffic starts moving again. Gas savings may be off-set by inconvience of more repair trips, whether included under warranty, or not - and some of us owners don't live just down the street from a dealer. And what is with the 100 degrees - a car interior can get very uncomfortable, very quickly, when it is only 95 outside, for example. Technological improvements can be good - or overdone, just because it can be done.

[MDK]

Hybrids have this system and one of the main issues with them is the heating up of the car when at a long light, what is the mpg increase? The MINI is already pretty good on gas and it doesn't seem like shutting down at a light will make a huge difference.

[mini_specter]

Not sure what the MPG difference would be, the article did not specify. I can't imagine it would be that significant. I think the best bet for better MPG would be to further reduce the weight of the MINI.

[HerodsMINI]

I agree w/mini_specter on reducing the weight,but where & at what $$$ ?

[Vango]

I would not want my mini to cut off at a light. But I hardly ever take my car out of gear and remove my foot from the clutch. So I dont think it would be a issue with me. I seem to always be in race mode Especially at stop lights.

[mini_specter]

I used to have an 02' ZX2, I believe that car was lighter than the mini and it had a 2.0 engine. I think the extra weight in the mini must be in all the safety equipment like airbags..ect. The new Audi TT has more aluminum in it's structure and is bigger than previous model but weight still has not significantly changed. I would hope that BMW would look into weight savings for better MPG rather than tech gadgets.