Cost of Gas in the US and How it Affects You

DB Apr 28th, 2008 Link

Current gas prices are seriously making me reconsider my next possible MINI that’s for sure. While the extra power of the S is tempting, the mileage of a Cooper (or, Clubman) is very tempting, especially with how much I drive.

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C4 May 1st, 2008 Link

1)Currently I am driving 85 miles per day. I have re-discover the “joys” of driving at the posted speed limits, using my cruise control on long stretches of road, and make use of 5th and 6th gear more often that not. Currently, my unmodded ‘05 R53 S is pulling 29 MPG in the city and a total range of nearly 400 miles per tank. Incredible but true. The R53 can be fuel efficient as long as you keep the tach at or below 3K.

Our new Clubman S with 1,400 miles on the clock is delivering 28-29 MPG in the city with A/C and sport button turned on. Yes the “forte”of the Prince engine is its amazing fuel economy, no doubt about it.

2) No way we are selling our MINIs. I believe that as long as you are in the 20 some mile per gallon range you’ll be fine. Probably there are other alternatives with marginally better fuel economy, but you are going to give up a lot on other fronts. VW diesels are tempting, but Diesel here is $.50 more expensive than Premium and I am very skiptical of VW’s and their dealer network in general.

3) I am glad we have MINIs. I think these cars are still a smart choice in these difficult times and you still get to enjoy one heck of a fun to drive car that leaves most others in the dust (Including SUVs).

4) When we ordered our Clubman we initially considered the Cooper Clubman. But quite honestly, the MPG difference between the N/A and Turbocharged models is neglible. For $2K more we get a car that is comfortable to drive, has amazing acceleration/passing power, is effortless and smooth as butta, yet returning mid to high 30’s fuel mileage in the highway. I drove a Cooper Clubman auto recently and I liked it a lot. But when you punch it you immediately notice the difference in power delivery. Interestingly, I also noticed that when the Cooper Clubman is driven spiritedly, tends to be a lot thirstier than the Clubman S as you have to keep it more in the upper RPM range.

Gas at my nearby Shell station is $4.05 for V-Power 93 octane. I’ll take $50 fillups in these cars anyday of the week over $100 fills ups on larger vehicles.

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Richard May 1st, 2008 Link

Up here in Canada gas is running at approx $1.20 litre (~$4.60 gallon) for premium. My ‘08 mcs is getting about 30mpg city driving. I have definitely adjusted my driving habits as a result. Definitely drive with a lighter foot, and slower on the highways. But still can’t help taking advantage of the extra power the s offers every once in a while. I am still happy though with the mcs, and consider it, at this point in time, to be a perfect balance of power, sportiness, and fuel economy.

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C4 May 1st, 2008 Link

I also keep on top of the maintenance and check air tire pressures on a weekly basis. Adjusting your driving habits and consolidating trips really help with the bottom line.

Unfortunately we live in a city with poor public transportation infrastructure. In Miami you MUST have a car or you’ll die, literally. We have a one line, 22 mile metro system that only serves like 5% of the total population. While most people are beginning to use public transporation, in most cases, it is not convenient and you’ll get there faster in your own personal car.

Older major cities in the US with better established business centers, have more developed public transportation. For folks living in Chicago, NY, Boston, Seattle, etc you still have a choice in this regard.

Heck, even if people see you walking here in the streets they will scream obscenities at you. South Florida (Like SoCal) is pretty much built around the car and suburban sprawl.

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Sunil May 1st, 2008 Link

We bought a Clubman S for the gas mileage! The other cars we were looking at came in a few MPGs lower.

While I would love to pay less for gas, I try to keep it in perspective. $4 to go 30 miles is still reasonable. Especially when getting there is this fun.

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C4 May 1st, 2008 Link

Sunil, you could not have said it better!

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Ian F May 1st, 2008 Link

I believe we’ve seen a change, although not with me personally. Mainly in discussions about runs and trips.

For one reasonably popular group drive/gathering we’ve organized for the past 5 years, attendance has been slowing… this year, we have around 25 cars registered where in the past we’ve had nearly 50. Although nobody has said it, I wonder if gas prices are a factor.

I’m not sure The Great Ice Cream Run from Florida to MOT we did last year would happen this year…

The “one big run” we’re doing this year: A Blueridge Parkway Drive, will be driven in our more fuel efficient MCc, rather than the roomier MCS.

If something were to happen to my daily driver ‘03 TDI, I’d have to think long and hard about its replacement. MC vs MCS… or something else non-MINI…

As an owner of two diesels, I’m not as quick to jump on the MINI D bandwagon… I suppose you need to live with one for awhile to understand why… If MINI somehow manages to overcome the techincal issues (or the more unlikely event CARB relaxes its generally anti-diesel stance), then I would definitely look at one… but I would have to drive one before making a final decision.

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Bud May 1st, 2008 Link

I have an R56 MCS with aero package, Borla exhaust (sport) and K&N filter. I don’t drive to conserve and I am still getting 34+ MPGs. This is a mixture of city/highway driving with a 30 mile one-way commute. I have tried to drive with fuel mileage in mind, just to see if I could reach the 36 MPG mark, but so far have only been as high as 35.5. Why would anyone want to trade? Look at your choices for vehicles that get over 35 MPG. Not something that I picture myself driving! Amen to Richard’s comments.

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C4 May 1st, 2008 Link

I heard Dragon attendance has been lower this year in comparison to previous years. Gas prices touch every aspect of our lives, for better or worse.

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Anthony May 1st, 2008 Link

Considering that my R53 MCS is a bit over a year old, financially it doesn’t make sense to sell or trade for a newer, more efficient MC (or even the R56 MCS, which should do better in the mileage department than my R53).

I’m trying to adjust my driving habits (and am definitely scaling back on the recreational drives) to minimize the pain of the higher gas prices, but flooring it in the R53 is so much fun…

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paul May 1st, 2008 Link

Been getting 28-29mpg in my ‘05 MCS cabrio since the summer gas mix came along which is the best I’ve seen since I bought it. I sure wish it was more though, kinda rubbish when I think what the average small car back home in England gets. But still better than 90% of the vehicles I share the gas station with.

I do two 130 mile trips a week for my commute and have changed my driving habit to stay at the speed limit for flat road and inclines, and then keep up with everyone else on the downhill bits. Still somewhat fun.

Driving more slowly seems to be a sin here in the US. In a recent chat amongst co-workers about gas prices I suggested driving more slowly and everyone chided me that there was no way they are giving up driving as fast as they want. I don’t get it, complain about gas prices but still drive your Expedition at 90?

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Steve S May 1st, 2008 Link

Funny thing is the increase in fuel and if it continues will make me consider a Mini Clubman S. Other than a hybrid I haven’t found anything that gets better mileage and seats 4. At $4.00 a Clubman S would cost me $112 less per month in gas than I spend now. My threshold is probably $5.50, if we hit that I’ll need to buy a different car. Although no car payment does buy a lot of gas.

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Fred May 1st, 2008 Link

Trying to rationalize:

MTTS a 600-mile round trip. MOTD a 1600-mile round trip. MTTM a 1600-mile round trip.

$500 in gasoline to drive somewhere in order to drive some more . . . .

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TheMeal May 1st, 2008 Link

Purchased my new ‘07 R56 last October partially due to the gas squeeze. I had recently gone from a 0-mile commute to a 60mi/day commute and crunched the numbers in comparison with my ‘97 Wrangler. The savings in petrol was enough to justify the upgrade to my MCS (at least in passing the plan past my finance committee). Of course, now I’m taking the “long way home” a lot more often, so the real savings is significantly less than what it would have appeared on paper, but the smiles per gallon are off the charts.

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Paul May 1st, 2008 Link

I wonder if the rising prices in the US will lead Mini to import the Diesel version. My secondary road daily commute is better sorted for a diesel anyway. If they don’t then I might consider the new Jetta Sportwagon Diesel when it hits later this year. I think I heard mid 40s or up for highway mpg.

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C4 May 1st, 2008 Link

The faster your drive the quicker your fuel mileage will drop. People still refuse to understand or acknowledge that correlation.

People here tend to drive 15-20 miles over the speed limit and flash their lights, honk at you or give you the finger if you attempt to drive at or within 5 miles above the speed limit.

And these bozos still wonder why they pay so much more for gas at the pump and why they get ticketed by the police for often.

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C4 May 1st, 2008 Link

Paul, wait a year or so for VW to sort out the bugs of that new Sportwagon.

Don’t be their product beta tester guinea pig.

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GSKChicago May 1st, 2008 Link

Interesting question. I guess I look at the gas prices as “the cost of doing business” to a degree. People have asked me – for as long as I’ve had my MCS – how the gas mileage is. I have said all along that the MCS isn’t designed for fuel efficiency per se. The MC moreso, but overall the MC and MCS are designed for fun more than anything, IMHO anyway. Add to that, the way I drive, I get nowhere near intended gas mileage – I drive like an idiot! :o)

I’m trading my MCS in for the 135i at the end of this month (hopefully – assuming it arrives in time) and honestly, I didn’t even look at what the gas mileage ratings were on the 1-series when I ordered it. Gas costs what it costs – we have little to no control over it.

I’ve been learning though – and it’s kind of sad – that in more poor areas, gas is actually more expensive. My company uses a semi and we fill up all over and the poorer areas, the gas stations actually charge more because there are fewer stations, etc. It’s pretty ridiculous.

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VMMVMMM May 1st, 2008 Link

@ Fred

I’m right there with you. I registered for MTTS, but with gas prices going ever higher, I may just count my registration as $20 to charity and feel good about myself. This is getting ridiculous.

As for my car choices, I have to admit I have been considering turning my MINI over for something more conservative on gas, but I just can’t find anything that gets better gas mileage that compares to the fun I have in the MINI. I still feel like the few dollars extra I pay to drive a MINI over, say, a Civic, is well worth it. Mostly because the difference is not that much. I do drive a bit differently now, though.

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mike c. May 1st, 2008 Link

I’ve stopped driving “just for fun” on the weekends, I’ve started driving closer to the speed limit, and (here’s the real kicker) starting today I’m taking the bus to work whenever possible. It helps when my company kicks in half of the cost of public transport. Will I sell the MINI, no. Would I buy it again, yes. Would I consider the Cooper instead of my Cooper S, possibly.

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callahan May 1st, 2008 Link

Having just purchased my R56 two weeks ago, the biggest chnage for me will be loss of use of my R56. I have a 6 mile trip to the busstop where I pick up the bus for my 25 mile trip to downtown Cincinnati. My wife has a 24 mile round trip in her Ford SportTrac and gets about 18 MPG. So doing the math, she will probably end up taking my MINI during the week and I’ll end up driving her truck. Some how this in just not fair.

As far as future purchases go, I see all these highly touted hybrids and Smart42 etc, and quite frankly I do not see how they are better than a MINI. The same mileage with half the fun! I am trying to convince my wife to get a Clubman.

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C4 May 1st, 2008 Link

Good luck dumping that Explorer SportTrac. I think your solution to the problem is to become a 2 MINI family.

:)

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MaxMCS May 1st, 2008 Link

I know I’m not incredible with my economy in my R53 MCS, but I’m still miles ahead of the competition (literally). Yes, filling up with premium is slightly insulting, but I can still drive “in a spirited fashion” and fill up once in a week and a half, with the distance I drive. Yes, gas is pricey- but I constantly remind myself of what they’ve been paying for decades in Europe and I begin to see the genius of the MINI.

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Crusoe May 1st, 2008 Link

I went the frugal and fun route with an ‘06 MC. I couldn’t consciously buy a R53 but did not have enough info (or patience) to consider waiting for the R56S or non S. In the end I’ve rarely dipped below 30MPG in brutal commuter traffic but the MPG of the R56 does marginally change the way I look at my MC. If buying today the R56S would be acceptable but would probably go for a R56 non S. The R56 gets great MPG with less of a carbon footprint so folks should value that greatly. As for driving differently, no, I’m NA so getting to the speed limit as fast as possible doesn’t change much.

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b. nystedt May 1st, 2008 Link

I switched off the digital speedo and turned on the constant MPG gauge… so far it doesn’t look like it does much than tell me how much pressure is on my right foot!

What’s the best way to juice my R50 for all it’s worth MPG-wise?

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Ellis May 1st, 2008 Link

I try to drive below 3K on the tach. But sometimes it’s tempting to go over it. I still manage to get 29 MPG city/highway. I hope this gas price will go down soon for the sake of everybody.

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Nathaniel Salzman May 1st, 2008 Link

This is a very timely question for the Mrs. and me. We’ve taken a couple major steps, but we’re about to take a couple more.

Firstly, for our urban commute we both bought scooters. She bought a Genuine Buddy for her 12 miles to work. It gets (I am not kidding) 90+ mpg and will do 65 mph if you need it to. I sold my vintage Vespa for a Genuine Blur, which gets 70+ mpg and will flirt with 80 mph. If you’re only hauling one person, why do you need a whole car? The fun factor is pretty huge too. I think a scooter is about the only vehicle in the city where you have as much or more fun than a MINI. Riding scooters has changed how we get where we’re going, as we now avoid bigger roads and freeways. But the traffic is better on surface streets at rush hour, so we end up getting home faster. And between two scooters, we can do all our grocery shopping and most normal ’round-town errands.

That only works in good weather though. So we are in the process of selling her Tacoma to trade down (up?) to a Honda Fit in anticipation of even higher gas prices. We love the ability to haul stuff in her truck, but we haven’t really hauled much lately. It’s a lousy commuter vehicle, and that’s about all it gets used for. And we’re not really losing much, as there’s an amazing amount of hauling room in the Fit. But what we are gaining is a three-fold increase in mileage.

That’s had me thinking about my ‘06 MCS. A couple months ago I had an ‘08 Cooper auto as a loaner car while my MINI was getting worked on. After spending 48 hours with the R56, I have to admit that I was converted. As much as I’ve fumed against it, the R56 Cooper with its amazing mileage is really calling my name. So I was actually at Motorwerks MINI yesterday and spent about an hour with a manual R56 Cooper. The seats are more comfortable, I’ve got more leg and head room, the boot’s a touch bigger, and with the sat nav in the dash, I don’t mind the center stack. And the biggest thing is that its ride is so much less jarring and with the sport button on, it really does feel almost just as a fast as my R53. You’ve got to manage your gears and RPMs more intentionally, but it’ll still haul ass down the highway.

There’s such a great simplicity in that kind of motoring. I couldn’t help but think how that Cooper was the MINI in its purest form. It won’t win many drag races, but it could still win plenty of rallies. And pushing 40 mpg without really trying…wow…anybody want a gorgeous DS/S R53 MCS with stripes ala Todd? Chances are I’ll be in a Cooper before the end of scooter season. I’m so surprised about it, but now I’m a believer.

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George May 1st, 2008 Link

Gas mileage was part of my reason for getting a MINI. I was used to 20-21mpg in my Subaru, so getting 30 was a revolation.

Hybrids in Texas don’t make as much sense because of all the highway miles we drive, so that would knock a bunch of the new bandwagon cars out of the way. MINIs are just the right compromise between serious fun/performance and great daily driving.

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MINIme May 1st, 2008 Link

The hike in fuel prices has caused me to park my SUVs and change my driving style in my R53. It is not nearly as fun to drive when you are keeping your foot out of it… I am basically just putting around in a rough riding compact car.

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Larkin W. May 1st, 2008 Link

I drive an 88 CRX HF for work duty. 45 MPG city/ 51 MPG highway makes this thing too cheap not to drive.

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Ken E. May 1st, 2008 Link

We leased an X3 and liked it well enough but we are now a 2 MINI family. “03” MCS and “08” CMCS. My wife drives the Clubman S and loves it to death. With resale being what it is we bought the Clubman and the “03” is paid in full.

I have tried to change my driving style. Taking more distance to get up to speed. I typically catch up with the guys that drive aggressively at the tight spots on the Ike.

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C4 May 1st, 2008 Link

Yep. Same here. My ‘05 MCS is paid in full and we owe less than 40% on the Clubman S.

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Garth May 1st, 2008 Link

In my family, we have 5 drivers, all with different agendas/needs. We break down our driving thusly, one of my daughters drives an MC to school and work, my other daughter drives an ‘07 Jetta to school/work (she lives away at school), our son alternates between my MCS and our new Yukon Hybrid. My wife drives our 535 to work and back. I work out of my house most days and use the MCS when I need to visit clients.

Since purchasing the Hybrid a month ago and playing the game of maximizing the MPG’s out of it (BTW, on a 200 mile freeway round trip, using CC and changing over 4000 feet in elevation, I got 22.5 mpg’s on Yukon, driving at 68 most of the time) I have noticed my habits have changed for all the cars I drive. I coast more when approaching stoplights, I drive the limit most of the time, I let the MCS freewheel on the longer downhill stretches, I try not to exceed 3k on the tach and I use the CC whenever possible.

We replaced our ‘04 Tahoe with the Hybrid and use it for mainly towing our boat. Average MPG for the ‘04 was 12-14, 8 when towing. We have not towed much with the Yukon yet but my average MPG is about 20 and I expect 12-14 when towing. Very significant differences.

We are not planning to alter our driving this year even with gas at the $4.00 mark here in socal. We will take 2 or 3 trips to Lake Mead (approx 800 miles round trip) and likely go to Nor Cal once with the boat and my son and I will be doing the LA Chapter BMWCCA driving school at the end of the month at Willow Springs. Both Days.

Like C4 and others here have stated, slow down. It not only saves lives but also gas. Playing in the right lane can be entertaining too!

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beken May 1st, 2008 Link

It puts my plans for Magical Mystery Tour and other MINI events in jeopardy. Probably less expensive to stick around home and explore the back roads.

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hank chinaski May 1st, 2008 Link

Think I’m gonna buy an 2002 bmw. In inka, for summer lovin’. Maybe I’ll be more apt to cruise than in the mcs. Resale sure shouldn’t hurt.

See the interesting mpg ratings via the Reuters article on hypermiling?

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LTL M CPE May 1st, 2008 Link

Gas prices and fuel mileage figured into my recent Clubman purchase. I was on the list for a 135i, but also have two dogs so need “hauling” capacity. I opted for a non-S Clubman to keep the purchase price down and MPG higher since I have a 45 mile one way commute. I’m at about 1700 miles so far and the computer says 35.9 mpg average. My measurements of miles vs. gallons to fill have been 31, 34, and 37+ for the last three tanks. It’s going up as the car breaks in. Full tank range is stating 500 miles although I have not pushed that far yet.
I’ve also changed my driving habits some recently to get better mileage.

Jim

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Volker May 1st, 2008 Link

Our Cooper ‘vert is the wifes car and mine on the weekend. City traffic 90% we get 28MPG. My company is currently paying for my rental (at the moment a Pontiac G6) and I pull about 600 miles a week with it with 90% highway and get 28MPG as well. I wouldn’t need to look at the MPG as I get the gas paid full but as my one way commute to a project out of state is 300miles I decline usually the SUVs they offer me. For one, I hate SUVs and the way they handle on the road. Second, the last time with an Escape V6 I barely made the distance before running out. The G6 had still 130 miles left to go when I arrived. I would love the get a MINI rental. Maybe I have to contact Hertz :)

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Steve May 1st, 2008 Link

I’ve switched to motorcycle commuting when the weather is good.. 43 mpg on a Harly Dyna vs 30 for my MC (and it is fun)

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mike May 1st, 2008 Link

Nothing changing here. I walk to work most of the time. I fill my gas tank maybe once a month.

I don’t mind higher gas prices as long as the increase is going somewhere useful and not to the oil companies CEOs.

Here in St. Louis, I wouldn’t mind if gas went up $1 a gallon if it would go to maintaining our roads which need it desperately.

Does anyone know how much of what is paid in the UK goes to taxes?

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M. Dillon May 1st, 2008 Link

Here are my answers to the following questions:

• No. I own a ‘03 MINI Cooper.

• No. Being frugal/cheap has allow me to make the most,with the least. However,since I’ll will be heading into my mid-forties in a few years,I wanted to get an exotic super car. The only one that has made my list is the Lotus Elise(does everything a Ferrari does;but,at a third of the price,plus it STILL gets about 28MPG).

• No. I did my homework beforehand and KNEW that pound for pound,MINI had the most bang,for the buck.

• Yes,I would not reconsider getting another MINI Cooper. The money I’ve saved,I’ve put into things like Mastercard,VMWare,and Visa(and soon Digital Globe). Hell,even tightwads like myself need to reward themselves with something nice(like perhaps the ‘09 MCS/JCW droptop;or,the ‘10 MCS/JCW SUV)for all those years of being so tight that I’d would squeak when I walk(cue in drum and rim-shot sound effect).

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Jim W. May 1st, 2008 Link

I’m trying to coax my ‘06 R53 to better gas mileage than the 26 mpg I got at the last fill up (am I still in winter gas mode in Minnesota?)

I have given up for now the occasional joy ride which I used to treat myself to, and now our summer drive to Florida is going to be one of staying near the speed limit.

Our future Clubman, to replace the family SUV, will probably still be the “S” style ’cause I loved my Jetta turbo and I appreciate the added power boost when you need it. But we may have to hold off on that purchase until later, maybe the 09 Clubman. Hopefully MINI will bring those gas-saving technologies to us that they currently are trying out in the UK.

All in all, gotta have a MINI, still the most fun on the road IMO.

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Ron Michael May 1st, 2008 Link

Funny you should bring this up. I am seriously considering selling my 2006 MCSC for a 2008 MC. Cost is one factor. While it’s my only car, I don’t have to drive a lot, so I have been wondering if it really makes sense to pay top dollar for gas, insurance, auto loan, upgrades, winter tires, summer tires, wheels, etc. A new Cooper will have a ton of new gadgets I don’t have on my 2006, and overall handle just as well – just not as fast. And it’ll be a lot more comfortable to drive, and have a much more rigid frame (that is probably the most important factor for me right now – the cabrio’s extremely un-rigid frame is driving me batty).

Overall, my choice to switch is not so much about gas prices, but about an overall consideration of the natural resources and financial resources I am wasting. The extra money I spend on the MCSC no longer seems worth it. But mind you I’m not so far gone from enjoying cars that I’m ready to buy a Prius.

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Jon E May 1st, 2008 Link

The reason I purchased a MINI (‘08 MCS) was the fact that there simply is not a better combination affordability, fuel efficiency, great handling, and purely fun motoring available. Period. For these reasons it is now my daily driver and I am enjoying every minute I spend driving this fun car. I have owned several Porsches in the past (and I still own one) and they are fantastic cars but the MINI does a better job of combining all of these important (at least to me) features into a single package.

I purchased my MCS three months ago and currently have about 3800 miles on it. My gas mileage has ranged from 28.5 to 36 mpg. Typical for my daily commute and miscellaneous erands is 32 to 33 mpg. Given the amount of driving fun that this car provides I certainly have no plans to change to anything more fuel efficient.

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Bilbo Baggins May 1st, 2008 Link

I had a diesel back in the 70s and loved it. I would definitely consider a MINI D should they ever become available on this side of the pond.

So far I will be sticking with my R53 MCS. Just gotta love the supercharger whine.

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TO May 1st, 2008 Link

As a result of lowering my carbon footprint, my son accuse me of driving like an old man. I told him that’s why I’m an old man. But that doesn’t preclude me from revving it up for that “occasional” sweet sounding supercharger whine on our MCS.

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Neal C. May 1st, 2008 Link

I love me r53, but I’m taking public transit whenever I can. I’ve also dusted of my old huffy and using that to get to and from work when the weather permits.

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Lee L May 1st, 2008 Link

I am just tired of people coming up to me at gas stations to tell me how I must be so glad to have this car with gas prices so high!

When I tell them I get 24-25 MPG with a 75-25 mix of highway and city and it takes premium, they shut up real fast.

I wish I could get the mileages people are saying here. I have a 2004 MCS. The best I ever got was drving pretty early AM on a trip of about 140 miles putting the cruise right at the speed limit of 65 mph and that was just a tick over 30 MPG.

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MQuiN May 1st, 2008 Link

if somebody can put a cooper s hood on a mini cooper and swap the grills…i’ll look into getting one after my lease is up.lol

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Craig May 1st, 2008 Link

I have owned a 2003 MC and now own a 2006 MCS with a JCW Air Intake. The price of gas here in Eastern WV is around $3.95 for 93OT, if I can keep from enjoying the 4500rpm opening of the JCW Air Intake, I am getting around 24 mpg to and from work, a very short commute of 16 miles rountrip, thanks be. On longer rides I easily get 34 mpg, so as far as I can see, I will keep my 2006 MCS….thank you very much. But with that said, something has to be done to not only get the cost of gas under control, but the checkout isle at the local supermarket or none or us will be driving anywhere for any period of time. Money talks and nobody walks!!!!!

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ML May 1st, 2008 Link

Frankly, there really aren’t many other cars out there that get better gas mileage than a MINI other than hybrids. I love my ‘06 MC, and I’m still glad I didn’t get an ‘07+ MC even though it has better gas mileage. I just find it ugly, inside and out. I think you have to find that balance. However, it does suck a little knowing that the ‘07+ MCS gets pretty much the same mpg as my ‘06 MC, but at least I don’t have the ugly interior and plastic exterior rear pillar thingies (which REALLY bugs me… I love the wrap-around glass!).

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Alpinamike May 1st, 2008 Link

people always asked why I did not get an S? Mcc 5 speed gets the best gas.

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Glenn May 1st, 2008 Link

wow, some of you get some pretty amazing numbers. My 2006 MCa only does 24 or 25 in the city. Highway I can get up to about 40 mpg max. If I do a lot of highway driving on a particular tank of gas I can average 29 or so mpg.

I already don’t drive much as I take the subway to work. So I only use the car for errands or trips. Less than 8500 miles in 2+ years. I have started walking to the grocery store more since it is probably only about half a mile away.

So I only have to fill up once a month or so. But I was a bit bummed that my last fill up was over $40 at $3.96 a gallon. That was about a week ago.

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Ken B. May 1st, 2008 Link

Give up my MINI? Never! I love it. In fact, I had a 2007 Cooper S and traded it for a 2008 Cooper S. I look at it this way. I went from burning over 1100 gallons a year with my 2003 Chevy K1500 pickup that got an average of 15.5 MPG. Both of my MINI’s have consistently gotten 32 – 33 MPG commuting, and that’s combined city / freeway driving. Even paying the extra 20 to 25 cents a gallon for premium fuel, my fuel savings for out weigh the extra added cost per gallon. I also had taken my 2007 Cooper S on a 700 plus mile road trip last summer and averaged 40.6 MPG, and I know I’m not the only one to average over 40 with the “S” version. You drive your baby 60 MPH and you’ll get Excellent fuel economy. If the Cooper D would come to the US would I buy it? Most definetly. The Cooper D would cut my fuel usage in half again and the C02 emissions would be one of the lowest of any car out there. 2007 MINI’s on are excellent on gas. I have two friends who have a 2005 & 2006 and their mileage is quite a bit less than mine, though they love their MINI’s. The new MINI’s are one of the most fuel effecient cars you can get in the US. Even the new Smart cars ratings aren’t impressive, especially when you look at the size of that thing. It’s rated at 33 & 41…. Hummmmmm…. why drive that when you could have a whole hell of a lot more fun in a MINI and get the same mileage?

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gokartride May 1st, 2008 Link

I’ve always enjoyed the frugal side of the MINI equation more than the power side…a by-product, I suppose, of being around classic Minis that were in no way screamers. I’m now on my second Cooper…first an ‘03 and now an ‘07. I ride commuter rail to work and so my daily commute is a bout 15 minutes and all city driving. This R56 Cooper (manual) routinely gets over 40 mpg in city driving and even more when I coax it. Pretty amazing.

Gas prices aren’t a strain on my budget (not at 40 mpg), but nonetheless I did stop driving across DFW a few years back when gas prices spiked…I found plenty of things to do and plenty of other ways to enjoy MINI motoring than traversing the metroplex.

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Stephen May 1st, 2008 Link

I actually own an 03 Mini Cooper and have an 08 Cooper S on order.

It seems rather silly, as I am not a crazy fast driver. However, it will be fun and I live in a fairly mountainous town and make a decent salary, so I believe I’m going to follow through with my plan.

I’ll admit to have been tempted to keep my first Mini in storage in case gas prices hit the UK level….

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Shamus May 1st, 2008 Link

Here in eco-friendly San Francisco, I’ve adopted some fuel-saving measures of my own: Slowing down only will result in you having to speed back up again. Save momentum by slaloming around slower traffic which also reduces wear on precious brake pads (a non-renewable resource). And, since walking is a leading cause of calorie burn resulting in a major drain on our food supply, reduce your personal carbon footprint (carne-asada burrito emissions) by eating less and driving more often. Driving more also eliminates exercise-related injuries thereby lowering the cost of health care in America. We really should stop being so selfish and think of the future by driving a bit more often. Please, think of the children and do the right thing…drive!

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Dave May 1st, 2008 Link

Last weekend I drove up the Sacramento Valley, CA on I5, nearly flat, good weather, light winds, and kept my R53 S at 60 mph (limit is 70). I got 35.9 mpg calculated (36.1 on computer). I usually get 31-32 mpg on this stretch going about the speed limit.

We plan to replace our station wagon (26 mph highway) with a Diesel vehicle later this year. Mini needs to bring in the Cooper D!

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VMMVMMM May 1st, 2008 Link

nice

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Philip May 2nd, 2008 Link

Today’s price of one gallon 98 ROZ in Frankfurt, Germany = US$ 9.24

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john mcilroy May 2nd, 2008 Link

The US gallon is nearly a liter less than the UK version.Gas is now over $10 a gallon in the Uk now. The $ is in the toilet because the FED is printing money like its going out of fashion. Thats why Gas is so expensive. A $1 1940 WAS WORTH ABOUT $14.11 NOW. That make your $ today would be worth 7 cents .

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glangford May 2nd, 2008 Link

I’ve always been sensitive to gas mileage in my driving. I remember the gas lines of the 70s all to well. I’ve always driven four cylinder cars since then. Even in the late 90s with one dollar gas I kept telling my wife this isn’t going to last. In 04 I drove a friend’s MCS and loved it. I thought about getting one, in researching MPG the Accord got about the same mileage, so I got it. When we decided on the Accord, I toyed around with the V-6, but opted for the 2.4 L four cylinder. (Also partly due to the fact the V-6 used the timing belt, the four had gone to a timing chain.)

Then the second gen came out and I bought a MC as a second car. I had toyed around of getting a 250 cc vespa for my 8 mile commute to work, but my wife really didn’t like that idea. When I told her I was going to look at one, she suggested the mini and I started researching the second gen. Opted for the MC rated at 32/40 and absolutely love it. Around town in mixed driving my OBC is usually around 37-39 mpg and on a highway run it is 43-46 mpg. I drive conservatively try to stay around the speed limit and as noted this does affect mpg. Just monitor the instantaneous mpg with varying driving and you’ll soon realize that your driving habits matter.

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Ken E. May 2nd, 2008 Link

Lee L May 1st, 2008 Link I am just tired of people coming up to me at gas stations to tell me how I must be so glad to have this car with gas prices so high! When I tell them I get 24-25 MPG with a 75-25 mix of highway and city and it takes premium, they shut up real fast. I wish I could get the mileages people are saying here. I have a 2004 MCS. The best I ever got was drving pretty early AM on a trip of about 140 miles putting the cruise right at the speed limit of 65 mph and that was just a tick over 30 MPG.

Lee, You didn’t say auto or manual, pulley exhaust or any other mods. I have a Milltek exhaust, 15% pulley, JCW intake and 17” wheels. I don’t the wheel size makes much difference but I know the exhaust, pulley and intake, w/a free flow filter, do.

If you are running bone stock, get a pulley installed and see if that helps. The factory pulley should have been the 15% reduction that everyone seems to be adding. Once you do that, go to a free flow filter with your current air box, add an exhaust down the road. That should get you better mileage and performance. Those mods will improve mileage. Well that and lifting between lights and easing off the line. I get 24 city/highway on a 20 mile commute and 33 with out trying on longer trips. I’m sure it helps that Illinios is as flat as a pancake.

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J/C May 2nd, 2008 Link

Does it change the way I drive? I haven’t slowed down my driving but I do tend to drive less. Part of driving less is to save for our annual trips to my wife’s hometown. Last summer we drove my MC from SoCal to Chicago and back, putting in about 4500 miles. Will fuel prices stop this? Nope. (air travel is also affected somewhat)

Could petrol prices potentially change what I drive? No, I’ll still want to drive a MINI. It’s the most fun car I’ve ever owned.

Does this change what I value in the MINI? I believe I answered that in my response above.

At what point do I start to reconsider the fastest MINI out there and opt for the most efficient? I’m already at that point.

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ie May 2nd, 2008 Link

I have definetlly changed my driving habits in my 06 MCS and have noticed a significant difference- 30MPG average. I’d say that’s pretty damn good. Keeping the tires at 40, my foot light, and the K&N filter make all the difference.
But, if the diesel came over here…I’d trade in a second for 70 MPG!

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allenski May 2nd, 2008 Link

I am definately more conscious of my speed, and I’ve cut down the number of ‘long’ weekend trips this year. But I’m still content with my R53 2006 MCS.

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iriemanhq May 2nd, 2008 Link

I will admit that my situation is pretty odd/unique so please don’t hate me: I have a 4-minute commute and tend to drive roughly an additional 50 miles a week beyond that. Throw in the occasional 100-200+ mile “fun run”/road trip per month, and I’m still far under average fuel usage. I could walk to work but when you calculate time (12 minutes walking) vs. money (filling up once a week, maybe), it is still more efficient for me to drive. Or I could just be really lazy, I don’t know. Everyone else I know drives big trucks or luxury cars so, while I am feeling the pinch, I am still very much not in a position to complain about gas prices within my circle of friends.

I still put in $40 per fill up- Although it don’t go as far, so I’m still not feeling it mentally. Perhaps when $40 only gets me 3/4 of a tank, reality will set in.

I am in SoCal where, as I post this, Premium is at about $4.15 at the “expensive” stations.

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Rocketboy May 2nd, 2008 Link

4 Nos.

And Iriemanhq.. I have you beat, I have a 3 minute commute… :)

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Scott May 2nd, 2008 Link

I have an R56 MCS, and do mostly around town driving. Average MPG is 23.75 as I calculate, and 24.7 as calculated by the trip computer. Is anyone else noticing that the trip computer MPG varies between 1 and 2 MPG compared to actual?

Overall I’m quite happy with the fuel economy – having traded in a Volvo wagon which averaged about 15 mpg.

When you compare MPG to FPG (Fun Per Gallon) the MINI is a winner in my book.

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Johan May 2nd, 2008 Link

Witch Mini would you guys choose if you had the Swedish gas prices? About 8$ a gallon?

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modboi May 3rd, 2008 Link

riding my fixie more than driving my mini

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Paul Atkins May 3rd, 2008 Link

In the UK at one of the cheaper petrol stations I am now paying £1.08 a litre (UK) £4.91 a gallon (UK) . I think that works out to around $9.69 per gallon (US).

I am getting 40mpg (US) from my Dec07 Mini Cooper. On a weekly run of 85% 60-70mph and the rest urban driving.

1 gallon US = 0.83267418 UK.

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Evan May 3rd, 2008 Link

I have an ‘04 MC manual. If I only drive in the city I get 25-27mpg. And that’s not being too agressive with the throttle. Once I add in some highway it bumps up to 30mpg. Then, if I do only highway I’m consistently around 35mpg.

However, my last drive from Chicago to Massachusetts, I did the test of lowering my average speed from 75-78mph to cruise at 72mph. I got to 38-39mpg. So, I’ve changed my highway driving style due to gas prices. An extra 30-40 miles per tank makes a difference.

We’re actually moving to Boston, so we’re selling my wife’s Civic which is great on gas- better in the city than the MINI but not as fun with the same highway mileage. We’ll also be biking/walking everywhere and using the MINI to get out of the city when needed.

Next car will be in 3yrs. If there’s a Clubman Cooper D, that will be it. If there’s a 4-cylinder BMW diesel (1er or 3er) that will be it. Otherwise, we’ll be going for a Clubman S. The mileage is good and the fun to be tapped into is quite deep!

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zoomer May 3rd, 2008 Link

I have an ‘06 MCS SB/S Manual, and it’s been ok on gas; also about 25-27 mpg (average). I live in Southern Connecticut. I don’t blame the car itself, and I do like the performance that the R53 gives me. With that, I think that we should be proud to own a car that gives us such reliability and performance. There are several other options out there, but are they in the same category as the MINI? I think not. I was looking at the Smart and you wouldn’t catch me in one of those. The competition between both cars, the MINI comes out waaaay ahead, and I’m not talking straight fuel economy. My point is this; we should be proud that we are doing what we can to drive as efficiently as we can – and we need to try and enjoy our cars as much as possible. If financial constraint is a problem today, that is understandable. I think the ones that should be ashamed are not the R53 drivers, but rather the under-18 mpg vehicle owners, because most of the time those types of vehicles are just not necessary, in my opinion.

Then there’s the political reason of why the gas price is so high, which I won’t get into, but if the price were much lower, then we’d see more of those under-18 mpg vehicle owners out there, so which one’s better? Drive the R53 and enjoy its reliability, quirks, and performance ;-)

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Craig May 3rd, 2008 Link

Just a gas update here. Gas DROPPED 6 cents a gallon overnight. At first I thought I had one to many last night!! But no the 92OT was down to $3.79 a gallon and with my .30 cents off using my Martins Gas card I filled up for $27.30….7.8 gallons @ $3.49 gal and averaged 23mpg. Pretty good as this was all stop and go driving and no highway with a bit of a heavy foot, the weather was just perfect, a good enough excuse!!!!! I’m happy and so is my wallet!!!

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Lee May 4th, 2008 Link

What? You drive a MINI and gas is killing you?? Are you serious?

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DB May 4th, 2008 Link

What’s the best way to juice my R50 for all it’s worth MPG-wise?

My ‘03 R50 (with almost 190K miles on the odo) is still pulling down 30-32 average with my horrible, traffic filled 110 mile round-trip commute. If I’m driving highway only, it gets closer to 36 (with A/C on at 73ish MPH).

If you are looking to boost the mileage in your R50, get rid of the factory exhaust and intake. I installed the Borla Exhaust and K&N Typhoon Intake and realized 5mpg increase immediately. As an added bonus you get a bit more horsepower (about 11 in my case) and the sound is awesome! Especially those times when you need to push the revs in 3rd to overtake that numbskull in the SUV on the freeway, Starbucks in one hand, texting on their iPhone in the other.

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Aussom May 5th, 2008 Link

I’m happy with the fuel economy of my ‘02 MCS due to economies of highway driving. Increasing fuel prices mean I take it out for less trips on the weekends and shop around for cheaper Premium fuel. Have tried to use lower octane E10 blend fuel with the engine experiencing a misfire into ‘limp home’ mode.

The only modification I’ve made to my ‘02 MCS is to upgrade the air filter to a K&N performance model. I’ll upgrade my exhaust system when the current one from new breaks down (6 years old and still counting).

When you sit down and do the calculations it’s not worth paying a small fortune to upgrade engine components for marginal fuel efficiency gains unless if it’s tied in with a major service, plus you can lose a lot of money trading in for a different model.

I’ll wait for turbo (or twin turbo ‘S’ models if available) diesel model to come out.

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Big Jim Swade May 8th, 2008 Link

I would have ordered a Clubman D if it were available here, but I went with the Clubman S. I still haven’t taken delivery of it yet, but I sure wish it would get here (scheduled for June).

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