I have a Mini Cooper 2003. I drive it hard 50% of them time. Mostly fast, but many, many times when the light goes green, it's floored until I get 45 to 50.

So it red-lines. I know that keeping the RPMs down it probably best but does it really do that much damage. First the car was designed for stuff like that and the computer protects it (like not letting me go to 8,000 rpms).

 

That is how I have driven every small displacement engine I have had for the past 40 years starting with VW’s and then BMW’s and now the MCS. If I have no traffic ahead of me at a traffic light I will take the engine to 6K+ at full throttle through the gears until I reach my cruising speed. I love flying up grades at full throttle and high rpm where these little engines really like to do their work. I have never had an engine failure on any car I have ever owned; just make sure the engine is at operating temperature first. These are high speed engines designed to be driven at full throttle and high rpm. It doesn’t hurt them a bit. Have fun and spin it!
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2003 Chili Red/White MCS, sport pack w/white wheels, cold weather pack, black leather w/anthracite dash, DVD-based Navigation w/OBC, HK sound, MFSW, PDC, rain sensing wipers & auto dim mirror.

 

Boy, you did a better job describing how I drive :smile:
I think I will enjoy myself then.

 

I drive my mini up to 5-6K alot but not to redline. I've had no problems here either. These little engines are really strong!!

 

I have driven my MC topped out at redline for over 10mins at a time (and that is just one story)...and now that i have 19.7K miles on it i probably wont stop....the engine still sounds the same when it starts up as it did brand spankin new...I have a picture of my needle past 7K rpms that i have as my background right now on my desktop :smile:
-yeagy

 

i let my car warm up before spinning it up over 4k. after that point, however, i do everything in my power to not let the revs fall below 4k. the factory red line setting is always conservative.

in other words, "thrash on, toeknee!"

 

Yes, I love to drive from 4000 to 6500 rpm. Great stuff. Wonderful engine sounds. I always run out of road.
I love 3rd and 4th gear. Somehow I think that others don't exercise their MINIs enough.

 

>>I have a picture of my needle past 7K rpms that i have as my background right now on my desktop :smile:
>>-yeagy
>>

Post it ya? I want to see it... might even use it as my wall paper.

 

>>Yes, I love to drive from 4000 to 6500 rpm. Great stuff. Wonderful engine sounds. I always run out of road.
>>I love 3rd and 4th gear. Somehow I think that others don't exercise their MINIs enough.

I've got a hill here, Temescal Canyon, between PCH and Sunset, and I love to fly up there at 70mph in 3rd gear at 4500-5000 rpm. It just keeps pulling, I have to keep backing off the throttle because Lil'Octane wants to just keep pulling!

 

 

How is the gas mileage at such high rpms on such a consistant basis?

 

Sound like everyone really love to drive hard and enjoying it too...

Why to go MINI ower :smile:

 

>>How is the gas mileage at such high rpms on such a consistant basis?

MY OBC says I'm only getting 22mpg on my MC!

 

Man OctaneGuy you most of redline it every time you change gear right?

Who to say because I do the same thing all the time. heheheh

 

High-RPMS are fun, so is high-speed in the MCS! Drove back from STL to Boulder on Sunday/Monday this week, and drove a few miles at 130mph, which was 6,000rpm+ in 6th. It felt like I was doing 70, very solid. Only mod I have [so far] is an Alta rear sway bar at stiff setting. Took this photo with my cell phone camera as I was coasting down...

 

darn, let me work on the link...

 

Drive hard

Change oil and filter often

Love your MINI

 

I had a little ford escort as my first car. It was a manual and I always ran it above 3000 rpms. I had to laugh though because the manual suggested shifting at 3k RPMs for best fuel economy. I drove it like it would stall below 3k

Now with my MINI, I do drive hard a lot of the time... but I have noticed I will cruise at or below 3k RPMs now. (I guess I'm getting old at 25 )

 

As the saying goes- Drive it like you stole it!!!!!!!!

If you need fuel economy buy a Toyota Prius hybrid 50 plus mpg :smile:

I just love the sound of my MCS going higher and higher on the rev band

 

You always run out of road because you live on a freaking island in the middle of the ocean!!!

 

I'm so glad someone posted on this topic. I have been wondering the same thing for the past week or so. I'm also glad to see that I'm not the only one wailing on my new(er) car.

motor on

 

>>

 

16 miles til empty on gas. And that was taken about 12 miles from a gas station while out on a MINI fun run with metroplexmini here in DFW.
-yeagy

 

>>Man OctaneGuy you most of redline it every time you change gear right?
>>
>>Who to say because I do the same thing all the time. heheheh
>>
>>
>>


heh heh!! Not quite, but almost! But sure is a waste of gas! I'm at half tank already with 160 miles! Ouch! It sure is fun to drive in 3rd and 4th on the freeway!

 

>>High-RPMS are fun, so is high-speed in the MCS! Drove back from STL to Boulder on Sunday/Monday this week, and drove a few miles at 130mph, which was 6,000rpm+ in 6th. It felt like I was doing 70, very solid. Only mod I have [so far] is an Alta rear sway bar at stiff setting. Took this photo with my cell phone camera as I was coasting down...

130? Isn't the S speed limited to 135? I took my MC to 110 and on smooth pavement, it's unbelievably solid and quiet. On rougher pavement, it's noisy, but still smooth.