Car has been outside in the cold weather and when started it sounds like not firing correctly-backfiring noises. Engine lights pop up. Mainly 1/2 engine power light and cruise control failure. Car really only has 1/2 engine power. Top speed is 45mph, downhill. Car lurches around, engine revs every second or so. 1st time shut car off and turned back on then it was fine. Check engine light remained on. Car spent night in garage, was fine next morning. That night same symptoms at start up but didn't go away - had to make long commute home at slow speeds. Car spent night inside again and was fine in the morning. Called dealer, car towed to dealer. Service manager kept using engine and throttle interchangeably - causing great concern when I was told that the problem is condensation getting into it and freezing, but they reassured me it is the throttle and not the engine. Dealer said they put a special lub in it and to not drive short drives-I never do, 24,000 miles on a 9 month old car. 6 weeks later exact same problems again. Car to dealer. Loaner car (2007 MINICooper S) did exact same thing my car was doing. The loaner car did come out of it about 30 miles into commute. Could get up to highway speeds, all lights went off except check engine light. Something seemed to thaw out. Was told the throttle was freezing in cold temps and affecting many MINIs, BMW's, and jag's. dealer changed oil in my car, 1 week after 1st oil change. Dealer said they are doing investigation but that I have to live with it for now. Local mechanic said it sounds like the sensor that tells the computer how much gas to spray into the chamber is frozen. Probably made of cheap materials, gets hot, moisture condenses and freezes on sensor causing problems but not sure without being able to see car go through one of it's "fits". car has been fine for past 4 weeks. Some people at dealer admit to problem while others will not, telling me it is just my car and only when I have it.

- Ames, IA, USA