On a two lane road, with oncoming traffic, is there enough power in a F56 Cooper (non-S) automatic to safely pass a car in front going 65 (105knh)? How about a car going 75mph (121kmh)?

I found some performance numbers with the Cooper a 7 speed DSC, but S is older. Still, hard to know what times feel like actually passing:

Cooper: Mini Cooper specs, lap times, performance data - FastestLaps.com
S: Mini Cooper S specs, 0-60, quarter mile, lap times - FastestLaps.com

Does anyone else have a better performance source?

I will have a dual clutch auto in my 2023 Cooper. Thanks!!

 

5 elements to that equation not including your car's performance parameters that apply to oncoming traffic. Distance = rate X time and opening/closing range rate. Only the power behind the wheel can make the life or death decision to pull out and pass.

 

Sounds like a math problem- Trian leaves such & such station etc. As Fly'n Brick stated so many variables i.e. the car your trying to pass speeds up.
Quick rant: For me it's scary passing a car in the USA (compared to when I lived in Italy decades ago). If you passed without "reasonable room" oncoming traffic would give you the space needed (I'd have to explain this in person). There wasn't road rage back then and less cars on the road. Everyone's on a cell phone now high as a kite and or drunk bla bla bla.....

 

Man, it is like a math question. Too many trains and clocks. Closing rate, distance = rate X time. Brings back physics memories... bad ones lol. Maybe a retry: Does the 1.5 have enough ooph to feel comfortable passing cars going 70mph?

 

I think the easy answer is if you are concerned you can move up to the S or a JCW car.

Honestly after having a 04 MCS that was north of 250 hp I was disappointed with the stock hp of my 2019 MCS. I have driven the standard 3 cylinder MC and there isn't much there power wise. I personally wouldn't ever own one. My kid works at a Hotrod shop and they had one in for an oil change. When he test drove it he actually thought something was wrong with the car as it was underpowered. He had his boss drive it who verified for him that it was fine and that was just all they had. But he's learned manual on the 04 and has driven my 2019.

Looks like your driving an S so you likely know the answer already. If you haven't driven one go try. I had a loaner and couldn't wait to give it back.

 

Just got back from Italy and agree that passing there is a much more civil affair. Cars will move over to indicate they want you to pass, and oncoming cars will make room if it gets tight or if there's a stopped vehicle taking part of the road. Passing is the US is a d*ck measuring contest. We were in a 70hp Fiat 500 hybrid, so it took a lot of momentum to get to to passing speed

For the OP, I'd say it depends on how fast of a car you're used to driving. I grew up driving old slow cars, so I know how to make it work. Passing is obviously easier in the S and incredibly easy in the JCW, but you can make it work in the base Cooper, you just have fewer opportunities.

 

Thanks for your reply. I drive a S Stick now and need to move to an automatic for health reasons. Now I am the co-pilot most of the time for trips. I used the "sport display" that shows torque being used and realized in almost all of my driving I was not using all 200 ft/lbs or torque in the S. More like 120. I don't drive as spirited as I had in the past, carving mountain corners at top speed. So decided to go to a Cooper. My wife and I were driving to MINI In The Mountains (Colorado) this Summer. I was following her Roadster S in my S driving much faster than I usually do to keep up. We drove on a lot of two lane head on roads which I also normally am not on. The S passed slower traffic with ease hitting 90 in a flash. Made me wonder how the Cooper would do. So I appreciate everyone input.

 

Dealer got a Cooper in. Just drove it on the interstate passing cars. It does just fine. Growl is pretty amazing. Thanks.

 

I have the Cooper 2022 with DCT. Was out in August at the New York Safety Track upstate with other MINIs and a couple of Porsches. The car was a blast to drive and I did not get passed by an S. BUT do not settle for the Hankook all season tires (horrible understeer). Opt for the summer performance tires and get a set for winter.

 

Thank you!! Those tires are crap. Putting my WInter wheels on, picking new tires in Spring

 

I completed a 5000+ mile road trip from Dallas to Boston via Cleveland and Philadelphia, and back down 81, so it's still fresh in my mind. You'll be fine on passing on the highway, but you will have to downshift passing at 65 if you're on a grade. Up around 80, you'll be sitting in the meat of your powerband and you can pass without downshifting. I have a 2015 justa with a manual and am still bone stock. I had no issues on the PA turnpike in the mountains, NJT on the race track, GST where it's a close quarters rally stage, any of the Long Island expressways, the clusterF in DC and Boston, etc. The little 3 banger is a surprisingly potent engine and I'm running Michelin Premiere AS on the 16" wheels.

I haven't taken her to the high altitudes out West, though, so where you drive may also play a role.

 

Thank you Tio_Barry and Mcbacon!

 

From a London Metropolitan Police driver training course:
"Be in the right gear, in the right place & at the right time".