I just bought a 2003 R50 (indy blue) with the 5speed... I had a few people who have been driving stick for years and years and they all think the clutch is slipping.... here is where i need advise, the dealer is just telling me that the reason i have to start off in 1st gear at over 2000 rpm is due to the type of tranny in the cooper, that it is completely normal

Can someone let me know how theirs starts off in first as well as maybe at what rpm are in 5th gear at 70mph?

Thanks for the help, sorry if these are silly questions

 

Mine is an S, not a Justa, but I don't have to rev to 2000 RPM to get it moving. You may just need more practice with the clutch and throttle. It takes getting used to to get a car with a small engine up and moving smoothly without lots of revving and clutch slipping (note: there is difference between the act of slipping a clutch, and a faulty clutch slipping on it's own). Are you sure your clutch is slipping? If you are in 2nd or 3rd gear, and stomp on the gas, does the car get up and go, or do the RPMs raise without much change in speed? If the RPM goes up without increasing speed, then the clutch is slipping. There's some other ways to test as well, but this way causes the least wear and tear on the vehicle.

Also, how high up does your clutch start grabbing? If it doesn't grab till you have let it out 3/4 or more, then the clutch is pretty worn and most likely needs replacing.

 

I have an '06 R50 and with gentle pedal modulation I can EASILY get it rolling without using the gas AT ALL.

jaqattack02: The engagement point on the Justa is significantly higher than on the S, so high engagement point doesn't necessarily mean the clutch is worn. That's what I've read, anyway. My engagement is quite high and has been since I bought it 12,000KM ago with no clutch problems.

 

Missed your second question there, but on flat ground at sea level, going 70mph (~110km/h, right?) I'm revving probably 2,800-3000RPM, give or take.

 

Yeah the 5 speed Midlands isn't the greatest but I leave around 2k or so if keeping up with traffic. I think I am at or over 3k RPMs at 70 mph.

 

First off, I'm a MCS, so I don't know if things are the same, but I'm sure they're similar. If you are new at a stick, it just takes practice. I have been driving for just a little over a month and trust me, I was so paranoid about 'slipping the clutch'. I would usually rev up to 2000rpm when first starting, but once you get the timing right, you can usually get going with barely any gas.

And also, I can get going in second gear, and accidentally been in 3rd going about 10. Might be a rough take off but my clutch is just fine (from what I've heard from drivers, etc). I heard that a good way to test it is in higher gears (since it's harder to speed up in higher gears) like 4th, 5th. For example, floor it in 4th, watch your RPMs, Are your RPMs raising faster than your speedo? Don't quote me, just from what I have read on the internet. Also around 70mph I'm at usually 3200 RPMs in sixth on my S.
If someone sees fault with what I am saying, please tell me! I've manualed up quite recently.

Sara

 

Go to another shop and get there opinon as that doesn't sound right at all.

 

The gear ratios for the 02-04 Midlands Coopers are unique so all of the RPM comparisons folks are trying to offer based on their experiences with the MCS, the 05-06 R50s (w/Getrag-5) and the 07+ Second Gen MINI are irrelevant.

Example: my previous '05 MC with the Getrag-5 tranny turned ~3800 RPM at 70 mph. YMWV.