R58 Spoiler Observation
#1
Spoiler Observation
So...
I've been pining away for the fixed JCW spoiler. In the mean time, I have been playing around with having it in the up position. Recently I read on one of these boards, that someone had had their Coupe in for maintenance, and after the ECU was flashed, the spoiler stayed up permanently when manually raised.
Well, I had my Coupe in the shop last week for the well known weeping windshield washer nozzles (still got to go back, as they didn't have the part in stock). I didn't think anything about it, but since then, once (and only once) I put the spoiler up manually, and it stayed up; even when stopped at a street light. Since then, I haven't been able to replicate that behavior. The only thing weird I can think that I did differently, was that I accidentally had the car in Neutral while putting it up. I haven't checked to see if I can replicate it this way, but was wondering if anyone else had seen weird behavior like this? Perhaps there's a "secret squirrel club" "super decoder ring" way of making the spoiler stay up when manually raised?
Scratching my head here...
I've been pining away for the fixed JCW spoiler. In the mean time, I have been playing around with having it in the up position. Recently I read on one of these boards, that someone had had their Coupe in for maintenance, and after the ECU was flashed, the spoiler stayed up permanently when manually raised.
Well, I had my Coupe in the shop last week for the well known weeping windshield washer nozzles (still got to go back, as they didn't have the part in stock). I didn't think anything about it, but since then, once (and only once) I put the spoiler up manually, and it stayed up; even when stopped at a street light. Since then, I haven't been able to replicate that behavior. The only thing weird I can think that I did differently, was that I accidentally had the car in Neutral while putting it up. I haven't checked to see if I can replicate it this way, but was wondering if anyone else had seen weird behavior like this? Perhaps there's a "secret squirrel club" "super decoder ring" way of making the spoiler stay up when manually raised?
Scratching my head here...
#3
#5
So...
I've been pining away for the fixed JCW spoiler. In the mean time, I have been playing around with having it in the up position. Recently I read on one of these boards, that someone had had their Coupe in for maintenance, and after the ECU was flashed, the spoiler stayed up permanently when manually raised.
Well, I had my Coupe in the shop last week for the well known weeping windshield washer nozzles (still got to go back, as they didn't have the part in stock). I didn't think anything about it, but since then, once (and only once) I put the spoiler up manually, and it stayed up; even when stopped at a street light. Since then, I haven't been able to replicate that behavior. The only thing weird I can think that I did differently, was that I accidentally had the car in Neutral while putting it up. I haven't checked to see if I can replicate it this way, but was wondering if anyone else had seen weird behavior like this? Perhaps there's a "secret squirrel club" "super decoder ring" way of making the spoiler stay up when manually raised?
Scratching my head here...
I've been pining away for the fixed JCW spoiler. In the mean time, I have been playing around with having it in the up position. Recently I read on one of these boards, that someone had had their Coupe in for maintenance, and after the ECU was flashed, the spoiler stayed up permanently when manually raised.
Well, I had my Coupe in the shop last week for the well known weeping windshield washer nozzles (still got to go back, as they didn't have the part in stock). I didn't think anything about it, but since then, once (and only once) I put the spoiler up manually, and it stayed up; even when stopped at a street light. Since then, I haven't been able to replicate that behavior. The only thing weird I can think that I did differently, was that I accidentally had the car in Neutral while putting it up. I haven't checked to see if I can replicate it this way, but was wondering if anyone else had seen weird behavior like this? Perhaps there's a "secret squirrel club" "super decoder ring" way of making the spoiler stay up when manually raised?
Scratching my head here...
are you getting warning light also if leaving spoiler up and removing key?
#6
#7
I was the guy whose spoiler started staying up after an ECU update for the radio replacement. Only stays up if I raise it manually before it has a chance to come up automatically, and after I shut the car off, I DO get the "Spoiler Up" warning light. And the next time I start the car, "normal" auto spoiler activity resumes.
But the thing is, this behavior is infinitely repeatable, and not a fluke.
Since replacing windshield washer nozzles wouldn't require an ECU update, I'm guessing yours was a one-time glitch. Couldn't hurt to ask about ECU updates when you go back in, though. They won't necessarily apply an update just because you're there.
But the thing is, this behavior is infinitely repeatable, and not a fluke.
Since replacing windshield washer nozzles wouldn't require an ECU update, I'm guessing yours was a one-time glitch. Couldn't hurt to ask about ECU updates when you go back in, though. They won't necessarily apply an update just because you're there.
Trending Topics
#12
The car is not stable at highway speeds without the spoiler deployed. This is the same issue that Audi had with the TT until they added the small spoiler piece to the deck lid several years ago. People were simply losing control at highway speeds caused by several issues such as trucks passing them, cross winds, etc.
#13
The car is not stable at highway speeds without the spoiler deployed. This is the same issue that Audi had with the TT until they added the small spoiler piece to the deck lid several years ago. People were simply losing control at highway speeds caused by several issues such as trucks passing them, cross winds, etc.
#15
The "pop up", on the other hand, is an expensive gimmick. I'd rather just have the fixed JCW spoiler and be done with it. As a matter of fact, if my spoiler ever fails, that's exactly what I'll wind up with; it'll probably be cheaper than repairing/replacing the motorized one.
#16
Had my coupe (Build 12/2011) in for service this week. SA confirmed there was a software update available for my Mini. After installing the update, the manual deployment of the spoiler works as MarinePMI described. Had to pay $80 for the patch since it was not a required update. Worth the money to be able to keep the spoiler deployed during track days and autocrosses.
#18
No kidding, eh? Broadspeed is going in to the shop on Friday for the temp sensor recall, as well as to look into why she threw a P0301 code the other (miserably cold) morning. I wonder if they'll have to do an ECU update for the temp sensor thinger? Because a more "manual" wing would certainly help with my commute to work, where I hit 80kph (deployment speed) and come back down below 60kph (retraction speed) at least three times each way.
#19
#20
I tried this on my 2013 roadster. When I raised the spoiler manually, either in neutral standing still or in gear while moving under 37 mph, the green indicator light by the toggle came on. When I exceeded 51 mph the light went out but came back on when I dropped under 37 mph. The spoiler stayed up the entire time even after stopping and shutting off the engine. When I restarted the engine, the indicator light didn't come on but the spoiler still stayed up even while backing up and pulling forward out of a parking space. After I started driving it dropped. I didn't notice the speed where it dropped but I had only gone a half block at a relatively slow speed.
This is my first MINI and I have only had it a little less than two months but I am constantly amazed/befuddled at the way various functions are programmed to operate!
This is my first MINI and I have only had it a little less than two months but I am constantly amazed/befuddled at the way various functions are programmed to operate!
#21
I tried this on my 2013 roadster. When I raised the spoiler manually, either in neutral standing still or in gear while moving under 37 mph, the green indicator light by the toggle came on. When I exceeded 51 mph the light went out but came back on when I dropped under 37 mph. The spoiler stayed up the entire time even after stopping and shutting off the engine. When I restarted the engine, the indicator light didn't come on but the spoiler still stayed up even while backing up and pulling forward out of a parking space. After I started driving it dropped. I didn't notice the speed where it dropped but I had only gone a half block at a relatively slow speed.
This is my first MINI and I have only had it a little less than two months but I am constantly amazed/befuddled at the way various functions are programmed to operate!
This is my first MINI and I have only had it a little less than two months but I am constantly amazed/befuddled at the way various functions are programmed to operate!
#22
This is probably due to the boot up sequence of the Mini's computer; i.e. it's iterative. The "keep spoiler up" setting/argument/attribute is probably only held in RAM. Once the Mini is powered down, that setting is lost. I'd be willing to bet, that buried in the code is a health and status check of the spoiler as the car moves forward after start up (about 15mph is what I recall when I still had the active spoiler). When that speed is reached, the computer checks the health & status of the spoiler, finds it still deployed, which then creates an error and the computer resets (retracts) the spoiler for "normal operations".
I've noticed similar behavior with the Sport mode. When activated while driving, it kicks in, but the accelerator remains "mushy"/non-linear, until you take your foot completely off it; it then resets and becomes linear and much more responsive (lighter feel). I'd bet there's a health & status check of the accelerator whenever the foot comes completely off it (which makes complete sense from a safety, "air worthiness"/"in-flight safety" perspective; if we were talking about a fly-by-wire aircraft).
Just my observations and opinions based on just playing around on the roads with the Betty...
I've noticed similar behavior with the Sport mode. When activated while driving, it kicks in, but the accelerator remains "mushy"/non-linear, until you take your foot completely off it; it then resets and becomes linear and much more responsive (lighter feel). I'd bet there's a health & status check of the accelerator whenever the foot comes completely off it (which makes complete sense from a safety, "air worthiness"/"in-flight safety" perspective; if we were talking about a fly-by-wire aircraft).
Just my observations and opinions based on just playing around on the roads with the Betty...
#25