Hey so I am planning on driving 2350 miles one way and 4700 total. I was wondering what is the highest highway MPG you have gotten? I want to drive so I can keep a car for driving, plus I am 19 so cannot rent anything.

 

I find with a pulley about 3200-3300 rpm (with a stick) on the tac gives me the best highway mpg....so about 68-70 mph...about 28-30 mpg with 93 octane, with cruise, and GENTLE acceleration, Mostly highway, light traffic....
One thought...my tranny is the "updated" refresh one, and I have a tune....but pretty sure you will find staying around the 3200 rpm is the best for mpg's....

 

What model mini at you looking at? Our '12 MCS with auto transmission got us around 36 on long road trips..

 

The OPs sig indicates it is an 02 MCS.

 

ive gotton 30-31 on the highway better mpgs at 65 than at 70, get behind a truck and be light on the throttle

 

The best I have done is only 30, but .... I try to be light on the loud peddle but I lack the discipline to keep it up when I get in the twisties.

Motor on!

 

Yeah I am planning a trip down south to Texas this summer. I want to keep my car so I don't have to rely on friends. It may be cheaper in the long run? I really don't know that's why I am asking. Thanks for your input so far

 

The slower the better--as slow as you can stand in top gear is generally your best cruising MPG. I've gotten over 50 MPG on a tank, in fact, but that was working things hard and driving in a fashion that was sub-optimal for anything but economy.

Accelerate gently, don't change speeds, and just cruise at the slowest speed you can stand in top gear. Don't slow down if you don't have to. (MINIs are great for not slowing down to go around corners! ) Don't vary the throttle position any more than you have to, either. Cruise control is good for keeping you from going too fast, but it actually changes the throttle setting a lot, which isn't as good for economy as locking your foot in one position.

If you can keep to 55 MPH, you can probably get somewhere near 50 MPG. Go faster, and your economy suffers. (It's a bit more fun, though, and can cut noticeable time off of a long trip.)

 

Yeah the trip is 2300 miles one way, I do not plan to go 55... More like 75-85 (with respectable speed limit)

 

That driver has a gen2 cooper....
One tip...
Under 65, I find I do better in 5th gear than 6th...
Play around...but I have always found 3200-3300 on the tach is the sweet spot...
Some gen1 r53 drivers never see above 25-26....
So things like tire choice plays a part...wide heavy 17 rims/tires hurt a mpg or two...
Narrower, lighter 16's help...
Good luck!!

 

ZippyNH- When I purchased the car from the previous owner, the MPG was at 29. Right now I am at about 22-23 because city driving but yeah right around 3K is when the powerband comes in (really need to find what level of boost I am getting because 3K kicks even in 6th it pushes)

 

I've hand calculated at least two fill-ups lately at 41 MPG with my R56. Mostly open road driving at interstate speeds, tire pressure 1-2 lbs over recommended, and no A/C. It's pretty hilly around here too!

 

On my F56, 4 tanks right at 40 mpg & one at 51+. Not using the green mode much. .

 

I have an '06 R53 and commute about 700 miles a week on the freeway. With keeping at 70-75 mph, again light acceleration and defensive driving, I get about 30-35mpg with 91 octane. But I am still completely stock. Your pulley is going to make you burn a bit more. I would bank on 30mpg, but have enough cash for 20mpg in case you find some sweet mountain roads

 

I've posted my best mileage before, but here it is again (I'm kind of proud of this). I drove across Michigan's Upper Peninsula and back on a tank of gas. 632.5 miles, for an average of 49+ mpg. Speed limit up there is 55. I filled up in St. Ignace (just north of the Mackinac Bridge), set the cruise on 60, and drove to Copper Harbor where I spent two nights for a meeting and drove around a bit up there (awesome curvy roads). Turned around and drove back to St. Ignace before filling up again...and still had about 30 miles left on the computer. Nice days, windows and sunroof open, beautiful scenery. I can almost always average over 40 with very little effort.

 

I'm obviously driving wrong lol. 30-31 is the best I generally get.