Overheating issues?

2877 Views 8 Replies 6 Participants Last post by voxel, 8 mo ago

Cheap Sunglasses

Discussion Starter · Mar 20, 2022

Hello. I'm interested in the Mini Cooper SE but I've noticed a possible overheating issue in some of the reviews I've read.

For example, from carbuzz.com: "While the Mini uses the upgraded electric motor from the i3S, it uses an older battery pack. It's worth mentioning that some reviewers found that sustained hard driving will eventually overheat the engine". Also, from motortrend.com: "Remember those little LEDs alongside that power gauge? Just five were lit, meaning the Mini was only delivering half its available power output. (Testing director Kim Reynolds encountered a similar issue after two laps of our figure-eight course.) Allowing the powertrain a moment to cool down restored the power cap by the time I reentered the road, but I can't call this car a hot hatch if it gives up half its grunt after less than a mile in the twisties."

Has anyone noticed this issue? I'd really like to make sure it's not a problem before moving forward with a purchase.
Thanks!

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MichaelC

· #2 · Mar 22, 2022

I have not experienced this issue, but I also don't race my SE on a track. Nor do I plan to.

I have had some spirited drives, but apparently not the kind of "sustained hard driving" that results in reduced power. That just isn't feasible (or safe or legal) on public roads where I live.

I have seen reports by a couple people who have participated in autocross events in their SEs and did not have any overheating problems. But autocross courses only take a couple minutes to complete, with more than enough time between heats to let your car cool down.

I have also seen some people report reduced power when their SE is cold-soaked - sitting outside overnight in freezing temperatures. After driving for about 15 minutes, things warm up enough for full power to be restored.

And I have seen reports by some people who live in hot climates, but have not experienced overheating or reduced power.

As long as you don't plan to use the SE as a track car, you probably won't run into this problem.

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Cheap Sunglasses

Discussion Starter · #3 · Mar 22, 2022

MichaelC said:
I have not experienced this issue, but I also don't race my SE on a track. Nor do I plan to.

I have had some spirited drives, but apparently not the kind of "sustained hard driving" that results in reduced power. That just isn't feasible (or safe or legal) on public roads where I live.

I have seen reports by a couple people who have participated in autocross events in their SEs and did not have any overheating problems. But autocross courses only take a couple minutes to complete, with more than enough time between heats to let your car cool down.

I have also seen some people report reduced power when their SE is cold-soaked - sitting outside overnight in freezing temperatures. After driving for about 15 minutes, things warm up enough for full power to be restored.

And I have seen reports by some people who live in hot climates, but have not experienced overheating or reduced power.

As long as you don't plan to use the SE as a track car, you probably won't run into this problem.

HI Michael

Thanks for the reply. I suppose it's nothing to be too concerned about.
Do you experience much loss of battery range when using the a/c or heater?
I won't be using the heater too much as I live in a fairly warm environment but I can see using the a/c for at least 6 months out of the year.

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MichaelC

· #4 · Mar 23, 2022

Cheap Sunglasses said:
Do you experience much loss of battery range when using the a/c or heater?
I won't be using the heater too much as I live in a fairly warm environment but I can see using the a/c for at least 6 months out of the year.

There is some reduction, yes, but I rarely need to drive far enough on a single charge for that to be a problem.

Winter weather is the worst for range reduction. In addition to the additional energy to heat the interior, the cold air is more dense and requires more energy to push through--as does any snow & slush on the road. And if you use all-season or snow tires, they will be less efficient than the low-rolling resistance high-performance summer tires installed at the factory.

By comparison, using the A/C has a much smaller impact on range.

This video offers a nice discussion on the SE's range:

And this YouTuber is recording a series of range tests in their SE using the same route:
AndysComputer - Range Tests

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tony

· #5 · 10 mo ago

Cheap Sunglasses said:
Hello. I'm interested in the Mini Cooper SE but I've noticed a possible overheating issue in some of the reviews I've read.

For example, from carbuzz.com: "While the Mini uses the upgraded electric motor from the i3S, it uses an older battery pack. It's worth mentioning that some reviewers found that sustained hard driving will eventually overheat the engine". Also, from motortrend.com: "Remember those little LEDs alongside that power gauge? Just five were lit, meaning the Mini was only delivering half its available power output. (Testing director Kim Reynolds encountered a similar issue after two laps of our figure-eight course.) Allowing the powertrain a moment to cool down restored the power cap by the time I reentered the road, but I can't call this car a hot hatch if it gives up half its grunt after less than a mile in the twisties."

Has anyone noticed this issue? I'd really like to make sure it's not a problem before moving forward with a purchase.
Thanks!

Hi I bought a brand new Mini SE on 30 April 2022. The same day it developed a fault and the car went into restricted power mode until it was inspected by a dealer. I noticed the fan would run after the car was stopped and when it was plugged in for charging, I assume to cool the batteries. I also noticed the battery took longer than the 36 minutes to charge to 80%, it took 1.5hrs to charge to 80%. Again due to the car limiting power in due to the fault.
The next day the dealer inspected the car and confirmed that one battery cell had a fault in it. After a month with the car the dealer confirmed that "Germany want the battery cell replaced before it can be driven", hence it had to remain off the road until repaired. Unfortunately, batteries and battery cells cannot be air freighted, rather they must be sea freighted. As a result the car has been with the dealer for 3 months and is hopefully going to be repaired before the end of August, which will be 4 months without the car!
Therefore I suggest if your mini is your daily driver, and you don't have an alternative car to use if this is to happen to you, then the Mini ICE may be more suitable.
In my view to buy a car then not have it for four months is unacceptable and all Mini dealers should have timely access to replacement batteries and cells, ie hold them in stock.

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WillMW

· #6 · 10 mo ago

tony said:
Hi I bought a brand new Mini SE on 30 April 2022. The same day it developed a fault and the car went into restricted power mode until it was inspected by a dealer. I noticed the fan would run after the car was stopped and when it was plugged in for charging, I assume to cool the batteries. I also noticed the battery took longer than the 36 minutes to charge to 80%, it took 1.5hrs to charge to 80%. Again due to the car limiting power in due to the fault.
The next day the dealer inspected the car and confirmed that one battery cell had a fault in it. After a month with the car the dealer confirmed that "Germany want the battery cell replaced before it can be driven", hence it had to remain off the road until repaired. Unfortunately, batteries and battery cells cannot be air freighted, rather they must be sea freighted. As a result the car has been with the dealer for 3 months and is hopefully going to be repaired before the end of August, which will be 4 months without the car!
Therefore I suggest if your mini is your daily driver, and you don't have an alternative car to use if this is to happen to you, then the Mini ICE may be more suitable.
In my view to buy a car then not have it for four months is unacceptable and all Mini dealers should have timely access to replacement batteries and cells, ie hold them in stock.

Sorry to hear about your Mini @tony. Did mini give you a lender or anything while your car's been waiting to be fixed?

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tony

· #7 · 10 mo ago

WillMW said:
Sorry to hear about your Mini @tony. Did mini give you a lender or anything while your car's been waiting to be fixed?

Sadly we live three hours from the dealer so no car offered to us.

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traysonh

· #8 · 8 mo ago

Yes, to answer your actual question, I've experienced this a few times. The Seattle Mini club rented a private road for a hillclimb event where we got to rip up the road that was closed to the public. After about 90 seconds of driving it uphill with the throttle pretty much pinned, the batteries would get hot and the power availability would be drop to 40-60%. it might recover some over the following 90 seconds until I got to the top, but it was pretty consistent that I'd have much less than full power availability for the 2nd half of the road. That said, the mini absolutely ripped! the 1 speed transmission always in the power band with instant torque coming out of the corners was great!!!

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voxel

· #9 · 8 mo ago

I autocrossed mine two weekends ago and did not experience overheating but the track was only 60s long and I had to wait 5mins between runs. It was fun to squeal the tires lol

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