A quest for 40mpg (2011 Mini Cooper 1.6L Manual)

[Zerohour]

So after a year's worth of ecotopia, I got a new car to replace the Subaru.

A good documentation of the Subaru can be found here: Linky

But to start off, here is the new car:







2011 Mini Cooper
1.6L
6-speed manual
Chili Red w/ Black Roof w/ Piano Black interior (red on black on black)

I think the aim for the Mini is going to be 40 MPG.

Mini's initial fuel economy:
1st tank: 31.26
2nd tank: 36.78 <---engine is almost through break-in period, and work commute.

[Arragonis]

Subbing - and there needs to be a TR thread

[euromodder]

Second tank is already 8mpg above the 90day average of the Subaru.

Get a new more efficient car should really go on the ecomods list

[some_other_dave]

Definitely interested! My 2012 should be here in another month or so!

-soD

[Zerohour]

Bump for 3rd tank. made it to 1225 miles today...which means the engine "wear in" period is more or less complete.

Also had to fill up...and scored a 39.34 MPG! It hasn't been warm in PA either and we've been getting a good amount of rain. I'm really excited that the car is doing beyond what I figured for mileage. I averaged the Mini in at around 34 MPG when comparing the costs to the Subaru. if the average comes out to be 37-39ish, an extra 4mpg is half a day's commute on each tank, which is about $4 less per fill up on premium gas!

To compare (Gas):
18.48 mpg Caprice @ 3.499 per gallon = 18.93 cents per mile
28.25 mpg Subaru @ $3.499 per gallon = 12.36 cents per mile
37.00 mpg Mini @ 3.899 per gallon = 10.54 cents per mile

To Compare (Payments, Mileage over loan, caprice had no loan, but total in repairs versus selling price = depreciation)
Caprice = 15.00 cents per mile (8,000 over $1200 depreciation)
Subaru = 10.94 cents per mile (32,000 miles over $3500 depreciation)
Mini = 16.88 cents per mile (80,000 miles over $13500 depreciation)

A quick cost per mile sum:
Caprice = 33.93 cents per mile
Subaru = 23.30 cents per mile
Mini = 27.42 cents per mile

So saving 2 cents per mile in better gas mileage does help offset the cost of buying the car! But it will still be more expensive in the end But I'm feeling it will be well worth it to drive a Mini for an extended period of time!

[Zerohour]

So Cooper is averaging 36.6 lifetime, but the damn first tank is killing the average! lol Last three tanks have been average of 37.4 mpg. I've been using the defrost alot with the temps dropping, so I'm happy to be around 37 mpg for fall weather. I'm imagining winter is going to get down to 34-ish with cold starts and low temps.