We have had our '05 MC for about a year now. We bought it used as a lease trade-in. I'm just wondering, of those who have the same car, what is your tachometer reading at 70mph in 5th gear? Ours is running at about 3300 RPMs at 70mph. This seems really high to me, considering that in 4th gear at this same speed, it's at about 3500 or 3600. We get about 32mpgs with about 85% highway and 15% city driving. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

 

That is pretty close to normal. I have an 05 S also, and mine turns right around 3000 to 3100. I have a limited slip differential and I have never been sure if it's final drive ratio is different than that of stock, but that could possibly explain it.

Either way, if you are experiencing 32 mpg you have nothing to be concerned about. That is as good as it gets for an S. Just kick back and enjoy the ride!

 

I've got an 06 mini 5-speed transmission, and at 80 MPH I'm turning close to 4000 RPMs, which I feel is a lot. 3300 rpms at 70 sounds about right. That area of rpm is a real sweet spot on these cars, though at 2800 with not too much pulling on the engine you'll get better gas milage. I'm considering going to a 08 with a 6-speed. I do quite a bit of long stretch hwy. driving and I think the 6-speed would be better. I'm still looking into it. Have fun!

 

I think the OP has an MC not an MCS.

 

A sixth gear to drop RPMs to maybe 2400 at 70 would probably increase mileage a good bit.

 

Good call Octane Guy, my bad...

 

It's cool---having been an MC owner at one time--I can see why the question is being asked--though I regularly got 23-25MPG on my '03 MC because of the way I drove--keeping the revs up was the way to keep it peppy---6500rpm shifts, 4000+RPM cruising....keeping it in 3rd and 4th most of the time for the fun factor.

But take resmini's post--I'm not sure how the OP can do a sixth gear drop on a 5 speed tranny

 

Huh?

 

I will get my clubman s in about a month... prem gas right and i WONDER WHY PREM GAS.. catguy

 

To prevent detonation in your supercharged higher compression engine, not to mention more detergents with some brands in their 'premium'. How much of the detergent effect is real vs. hype I don't know. If you use regular the car will 'de tune' it self to ward off detonation, but then you might as well buy a Cooper vs a Cooper S... The higher compression engine generally the higher octane needed to prevent knock, all other things being equal.

I knew there were two costs associated with having the S. One was the purchase price difference, and the other the 10% higher gas cost. I did the math and realized the gas would cost me a extra $4 to $5 bucks a month. I decided those costs were worth it to me for the power of the S. I added a pulley too so I'm definately not going to run regular.

Higer Octane does one thing. Avoids detonation. It doesn't yield more power in any car directly, but a car with it's timing and 'tune' adjusted to take advantage of higher octane WILL create more power than it will on regular as any good modern car will have a detonation detection (knock sensor) to adjust timing and stuff to ward of engine knock and prevent damage. This 'detuneing adjustment' will cost some performance. Hence to buy the S but use regular is to most of us a bit counter productive.

I'm sure a more knowledgeable person than myself can and may chime in with more specifics, but that's the basic idea.

Has anyone see dyno numbers of a S dyno'd on regular? Might be amusing. Y'ain't doin it to MY car though!

 

Oh I thought your post said that if the OP dropped to 6th gear that the mileage would improve...but rereading the post, you were talking to Sailorboy...my bad.

 

Sooperdana -

Your '05 MC runs like our '06 MC. That RPM appears "normal" at that speed. The car seems to love it. We get 35+ mpg on highway running long distances at that speed/RPM.

 

My '05 MCS runs at about 3000 RPM at 70mph in 6th.

 

That was my main caveat with the previous MC---------> Only 5 speeds on the manual! I had a '06 MC 5-speed loaner last year and I found this car too noisy and tiring at highway speeds. It did scream for a 6-speed gearbox, which is now offered in the current R56 and R55 MC.

I used to have a '02 MC CVT which had way better gearing than the 5-speed version. On the CVT @70MPH (On normal drive mode) the tach was at 2,800 RPM. In the 5-speed at the same speed the tach needle was above 3K RPM.