I've been away from MINI for a while now. Frankly, I loved my Clubman ('09), but was enjoying my EOS in the mean time. Test drove an S and, man, it was fun! The car looks fine to me, in the right color that is. I forgot how tight the cockpits were with MINIs. Made going back to my EOS feel like I was stepping into a BMW 7 series. I loved the F56. Definitely on my short-list.
It was kinda odd, honestly, but I left it on to get a feel for what it would be like. In my opinion, I like that the car doesn't try to fight you at an extended stop. And when I'm starting from an extended stop, I generally don't demand immediate response. When it did kick in I never felt like it was letting me down.
Re: Start / Stop Just wondering what kind of impact on the life expectancy there will be to the battery and starter?
Good question, but the gas you save by not idling for a minute or two at a light could probably buy both of those annually... Great idea BMW! You are really saving on NOTHING!
BMW (and MINI) have been using the system in Europe since 2008. So BMW knows the answer, although the information probably isn't public.
Huh.... Never thought of that profit stream.... Before "Start Stop".... Money went for gas... Petroleum companies made out... After "Start Stop".... Money went for replacement parts / labor.... MINI / BMW made out... Gasolene profits became profits in labor and replacement parts.... cool way to shift the profit stream....