I'm thinking of buying a Cooper (non-S) 5sp Manual. Most of my driving (unfortunately) is fwy. commute, and when I can I like to take long trips.
I understand the new Getrag tranny has somewhat revised ratios. Can someone tell me what rpm I'd be turning in 5th @ 70 MPH, and for those of you who have an '05, whatever the rpm is it a pretty quiet cruise?

thanks

 

My new 05 Cooper shows about 3300 on the tach at 70mph and the ride is quiet.

 

Yep, about 3,300 at 70 MPH with my '05 MCS, about 2,700 at 60. Strangely, MINI designed this car to be a bit revvy at highway speeds, but it's not noticeable to any great extent.

 

My 02 MCS is at 3000 70mph

 

Thing with Coopers is that if you want to pass on the highway, drop it to 4th and you wind up right at the sweet spot...42K rpms...and you then have plenty of available torque to accelerate. Once you're done, go back to cruisin' in 5th (around 31-32K rpms).

In an MCS, I believe (please correct me if I'm wrong MCS owners) you still have plenty of torque available even in 6th, making it unnecessary to downshift for accelleration.

That's why an MCS is better on the highway...not that Coopers are a slouch...you just have to stir the gears a bit more.

 

In my 03 the tach is still touching the big 3 at 70 mph,so about 3100 or so.
If I need to pass quickly,dropping to 4th sure speeds things up,but 5th still pulls good enough if nobody is oncoming.Now 3rd is real funJust make sure you rev match as you go from 5th straight to 3rd,then punch the little pedal
The car is calm and noise free at 70mph,in 5th gear.Besides tire,road noise,audio volume,and the dog snoring in the back

 

By comparison 03 MCS with pulley mod.
2200 rpm at 60 mph
2900 rpm at 70 mph