It's that time again. On the eve of our four-car fuel-sipper comparison test, I thought I would calculate the lifetime fuel economy of another diminutive fuel sipper -- albeit one that's fun to drive. Since our last update, we've actually improved our Mini Cooper's fuel economy by 0.6 mpg! How about that!
Average MPG: 26.24
EPA Combined MPG: 29 (d'oh!)
Best Tank: 33.70 mpg
Worst Tank: 16.57 mpg
There was a fill-up that reported 40 mpg, however, the entry's penmanship was questionable and it just seemed too good to be true. So it's certainly possible that Brian Moody went on a 123-mile downhill road trip with a stiff tail wind, but I've thrown it out just in case and used the second-best tank...
James Riswick, Automotive Editor @ 14,775 miles
dougtheeng says:
10:12 AM, 04/29/08
I got 38.8 mpg in my MC on the weekend, but I don't have the S model so my engine is smaller.
avoirfiscal says:
10:31 AM, 04/29/08
Isn't the engine in the S and non-S the same size, just supercharged in the former? Regardless, my wife used to have the regular Cooper and it was still a blast to drive!
opfreak says:
10:36 AM, 04/29/08
the new egines are the same size. I dont know about the older models. And new ones have turbos.
Still considering the clubman, though with gas prices today, no s for me.
plazomatic says:
10:38 AM, 04/29/08
I've averaged almost exactly 30mpg over the first 6000 miles of my MCS, which includes many commutes into midtown Manhattan. I'm very pleased with its economy, as the engine still has ample power and more than ample fun factor. Very pleased.
dougtheeng says:
11:49 AM, 04/29/08
I knew there was a turbo-charging difference, but I also thought the engines were different sizes. My bad. So the turbocharger jumps it from 118 hp to 170-something? Nice.
tslbmw says:
01:02 PM, 04/29/08
My 08 Clubman S with about 1300 miles on it is averaging 30.1 mpg. Thats with about a 70/30 (city/hwy) split. I'm very please so far. I'm seeing 34ish on the hwy and 28ish around town.
avoirfiscal says:
02:16 PM, 04/29/08
I *think* the first generation was supercharged and the current generation is turbocharged, but I'm not entirely sure on that. To be honest I really don't know the difference between the two.
SubyTrojan says:
02:27 PM, 04/29/08
You are correct, avoirfiscal.
plazomatic says:
06:05 PM, 04/29/08
Both a turbo and a supercharger force more air into the cylinders through compression than would be drawn in "naturally" by the force of the cylinder vacuum alone.
The difference is that a supercharger is driven by a belt from the crankshaft, while a turbocharger is driven by the force of the exhaust gases exiting the cylinders.
briancam says:
07:46 PM, 04/29/08
Poor penmanship? I resemble that remark.
hdriver347 says:
08:00 PM, 04/29/08
"Worst Tank: 16.57 mpg" Wow, that's comparable to v6s.
tmanz says:
09:15 PM, 04/29/08
""Worst Tank: 16.57 mpg" Wow, that's comparable to v6s."
That had to be one fun tank of gas :)
brn says:
05:24 AM, 04/30/08
""Worst Tank: 16.57 mpg" Wow, that's comparable to v6s."
It's comparable to our full time AWD V8. My (any) V6 blows that out of the water.
Given the way people (Edmunds staff) probably drive this vehicle, I'm not surprised by the generally low mpg for the size. It's not the car's fault.
cbmorton says:
05:50 AM, 04/30/08
My new MC has averaged 34 mpg so far, mostly short trips around town. Looking forward to seeing what it'll do on the highway.
thegrocer says:
11:21 AM, 04/30/08
The BMW Mini Mk I had the Tritec Rover/Chrysler engine, introduced in 1997 and BMW continued to use it despite the purchase of Chrysler by Daimler because the contract ran to 2007. After it expired, BMW developed the Prince engines with PSA, which are the motors in Mini Mk II. But the displacements stayed the same - 1.4L and 1.6L as well as the bore and stroke...talk about confusing...
blueguydotcom says:
02:27 PM, 04/30/08
30 mpg average with my Cooper S, 6 MT. Drive pretty hard. 50/50 city/hwy and most of my driving is done during peak drive times so lots of stop'n'go.
The Edmunds folks must drive like hooligans or use the AC often as I've only seen south of 28 mpg once and that's when it was 100+ for a week straight last summer.
If I try to get good mileage - 65 mph - I can easily see north of 33 mpg. Avoid WOT, hard acceleration and 34 is in sight too.
greenpony says:
11:23 AM, 05/ 1/08
When you guys calculate average fuel economy, do you divide total miles driven by total gallons pumped, or do you take the average of the calculated per-tank fuel economy? The two should give you slightly different numbers.