I am very impressed with the 05, 06 gearbox and am looking to find a good deal for a lot of reasons..... I am concerned about 5 and 6th gear...are they lower and does the engine run at a higher rpm at cruise? I am bad at searches so if this exists already please guide me to it...Thanks

 

All of the gears are lower in the '05 & '06 boxes.

 

do you know the rpm differences say at 70mph in 5th and 6th??

 

Here's a quick reply.

MINI Cooper S

Builds thru 06/2004:
+---+---------+-------------------------------+
| G | | Tire Fitment |
| e | Overall | Speed |
| a | Ratio +---------------+---------------+
| r | | 195/55-16 | 205/45-17 |
+---+---------+-------------------------------+
| 1 | 11.425 | 43.0 ( 69.1) | 42.6 ( 68.6) |
| 2 | 7.181 | 68.4 (110.0) | 67.9 (109.2) |
| 3 | 5.397 | 91.0 (146.3) | 90.3 (145.3) |
| 4 | 4.407 | 111.4 (179.2) | 110.5 (177.8) |
| 5 | 3.656 | 134.3 (216.0) | 133.3 (214.4) |
| 6 | 2.986 | 135.0 (217.2) | 135.0 (217.2) |
+---+---------+---------------+---------------+

Builds from 07/2004:
+---+---------+-------------------------------+
| G | | Tire Fitment |
| e | Overall | Speed |
| a | Ratio +---------------+---------------+
| r | | 195/55-16 | 205/45-17 |
+---+---------+-------------------------------+
| 1 | 12.789 | 38.4 ( 61.8) | 38.1 ( 61.3) |
| 2 | 7.793 | 63.0 (101.4) | 62.5 (100.6) |
| 3 | 5.651 | 86.9 (139.8) | 86.2 (138.7) |
| 4 | 4.615 | 106.4 (171.1) | 105.6 (169.9) |
| 5 | 3.828 | 128.2 (206.3) | 127.3 (204.8) |
| 6 | 3.126 | 138.0 (222.0) | 138.0 (222.0) |
+---+---------+---------------+---------------+

 

What's the number in the parenthesis mean?

 

(KPH) Kilometers per hour.

 

80 mph = 3,500 rpm on my car with slightly smaller tires (205/50 compared to 195/55).

mb

 

Thanks

 

for me...70mph
5th gear 3500-3600rpm
6th gear 3000rpm

 

what year is your car....

Thanks

 

'05

 

Are you talking about 80mph? If so, that makes no sense to me. At 80 in my 05 in 6th I'm at 3500.

mb

 

All these rpm #'s are bound to vary alot with wheel diameters and mods.

When my car was stock, 6th gear at 4,000 rpm gave me exactly 90mph. Now 90 mph is around 3,800 or so. At stock, 70mph @3000 rpm now its 2,900 rpm or so.

Stock 17" & runflats (sadly)

All this on a closed track of course...

 

80mph is about 3200-3300 for me, with 225/45/16 which are a bit larger in diameter than stock. It doesn't feel like you're running it too high... and the extra acceleration when you go to pass is nice. I still get 25+ mpg on the highway. If you like to cruise higher than 90, you might think twice about this box...

 

05 and 06 cruise at a higher rpm then 02-04, in 5th and 6th gear.

Here is what I found, same wheels same tires (205/45R17 S-lites):

My 04 MCS: 6th Gear 3500rpm Speed: 85mph
Friends 05 MCS : 6th Gear 3500rpm Speed: 79mph

So for an 05 to cruise at 85mph will probably be 3950rpm.

This is probably the reason my MCS is 34mpg on the spec sheet, and the 05-06 is 32mpg.

 

The thing I like about the new box is the quickness it adds to the car.... if you know of anyone who has a used one (salvage) PM me.....

 

Yeah, because your car isn't quite fast enough yet!

Okay, I'll admit it... I've thought about this too...

 

it's pretty fast but that gearbox will make it very quick and quick is what the Mini is all about... quick around the corners....quick out of the corners etc..... I have driven that gearbox and it does some nice things for the Mini..... I am having a hard time justifying the $..... that is why I am "interested"

 

I find myself wishing for a gear below first (and a 7th gear too!) with the old box.

Wide-ratio is indeed better for street use, but I guess it depends if you are willing to put up with a nonfunctional cruise control to get it (a reported side effect of using the new box with old car software).

 

Is the main difference due to lower final drive or are the gears spaced differently (or both)?

 

I am torn because the new box is definately better for twisties (IMO) but for street driving I like the old box..... at some point when I find a new box at a reasonable price I will probably make the switch....

Sid,

I don't know but somewhere i saw the answer.... but my CRS disease (can't remember *****) won't let me put myy finger on it.....

 

WOW, u guys drive 80?

 

Lower than first? Holly crap...I feel the first is too short sometimes

My problem is that second gear is too tall...

 

What about LSD? Do you have that now or is it something you want?

It's my understanding that the LSD is in the transmission unit. Can anyone verify this?

 

SpiderX,

I have a 2003 MCS and retrofitted a 2005 tranny with LSD. It makes a huge difference and it is money well spent!

If you need any help or info on the reftrofit, send me a PM!