Is that normal? On the highway at 70mph, I'm around 4k. I just got this Mini, and still getting "used to it", but my former car usually was around 3K RPM at this speed.

This is on a 2006 Mini Cooper Base w/ 5-speed Manual and 42k miles.

 

That is normal for the R50 with the 5-speed Getrag. My former '05 MC turned about 3000 rpm at 60 mph on the speedo (58 mph actual) and 3900 rpm at 70 mph (68 actual).

Seems a bit high, but the engine appears to be built to take it. I've motored all day on the open road out west at 80 mph and it just hummed right along. OBTW, it had ~78K miles on it when I let it go and it still was not using a drop of oil.

Enjoy your MINI!

 

i wonder aside from the cost if you can simply swap out the 5 sp with a 6 spd. is it a simple unbolt, replace, bolt ?

 

Simply, no. Possible, yes.

Here is a link to a detailed write-up. There is also a write up featured in the NAM alliance magazine.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ll-how-to.html