Shifting down into 2nd from 3rd, for a slow corner for example, seems to yield surprisingly high revs once in 2nd. The jump in revs for a 4th to 3rd downshift seems much less dramatic. If MINI ever consults with me, I'd recommend they take another look at their gear ratio selection.

Not that it's unlivable but it is a little annoying, as only the 3>2 downshift requires the extra caution.

Curious - anyone else notice this? Any work-arounds? Could I be mistaken?

 

I wouldn't say it's too low, but the computer reflash to add the rev-matching for 2nd gear is definitely nice to have. If yours hasn't been done yet, you should consider doing it.

 

I never noticed this but changing the ratio would hurt their 0-60 times. Just slow down a little more or install a power module and leave it in third at a higher speed.


...BTW, I happen to have a power module for sale!!

 

I actually think 2nd on my Justa is a bit too tall, but maybe I'm used to the granny gearing on my other/previous cars.

 

+1 its the rev matching in the higher gears. i actually like the 3/2 grabbing for decelleration.

 

whats the top speed in 2nd? around 60 is about right for 2nd gear

 

It's up there kyoo - must be around 65. The F56 has the tallest 2nd of all three of the Gollums. I doubt I'll ever hit the limiter in this car on course, and certainly no course this year has gotten me close. Even the PCA and the National Tour courses which had many cars banging the limiter offered no challenge to my car.

If I am feeling cruel this afternoon I'll go measure it.

One of the charms!

Cheers,

Charlie

 

For the F56 MCS, assuming it actually revs to 6,500 RPM:

1st redline @ 32 MPH
2nd @ 59
3rd @ 91
4th @ 116
the rest is going to be drag limited.


Not sure on the Cooper ratios. FYI the JCW manual trans has a shorter 1st and 2nd, but the rest are taller.

The Cooper S has very similar top speed per gear in 1st through 5th as the Abarth, curiously enough. Versus the 86 twins, 3rd and up are taller in the MCS. They all need 3rd gear to hit 60 MPH though.

 

Based on those MPH numbers, a downshift from 3rd to 2nd requires a lot more RPMs than downshifting from 4th to 3rd. That's why I think the 2nd gear ratio could be re-thought. Of course a 2nd to 1st downshift then would be even more dramatic - but who does that?

 

Personally, I live in Pittsburgh and the ratio for 2nd gear along with the low-end torque is great for climbing the hills in some of our residential areas. It's frustrating when you have to scream first, shift to second, and then you either don't have enough speed/torque or the engine is straining and you have to downshift to first which is always tricky.

 

That's how manual trans ratios in street cars have been for decades. I'm frequently practicing my heel-n-toe approaching stop lights, so 2-1 downshift is normal for me. Is the complaint here *just* that you have to rev the engine to match the gear?

I know you haven't mentioned it, but the R53 Getrag was IMO an outlier with it's acceleration-ruining tall 1st and 2nd. Looking at the ratio spread, be glad you don't have a JCW 6MT, as the ratios are even further apart in every gear. The BRZ has slightly closer ratios 1st to 5th, but then 6th is way out in left field tall. It really is amazing how close the MCS's 1st through 5th ratios are to the Abarth, they almost overlay. I DD an Abarth right now, and find the ratio spread totally average.

 

Remember...
They had to set the gears ratios for drivability... Folks do drive in bumper to bumper traffic...
They learned on the pre-refresh r53 (2002-2004) too tall a gear ratio can be terrible in traffic...they fixed it in 2005...
Bet they did not want a repeat...

 

if that's true sounds about perfect for autox! seems these days faster and faster courses are the trend

 

Indicated 69 mph at the limiter, which works out to 65.5 true given that my current setup has a linear +3.5 error.

That's the first time I have ever put that car on the limiter - it's nice and soft and not dramatic at all.

Cheers,

Charlie