Bring the modded 05's on, will travel within 100 miles from L.I. N.Y. for some speedplay.

 

You mean stock '04 vs stock 05?

 

For the record, MINI lists the top speed of the 2005 MCS as 134 MPH, while the 2004 is listed at 135 MPH. The gearing and additional power of the 2005 should allow it to attain 134 before the 2004 does, however the 2004 should gradually overtake the 2005 given a long enough, flat straight. In almost any situation on normal roads, and on almost all road race tracks, the 2005 should give faster lap times (all else being equal). The 2004 should give greater fuel economy, however.

 

I taught the max speed rating of the '05 MCS was 138 MPH vs 135 MPH for the '04 model.

 

Yes, it is... The lower gearing and the additional torque/HP allow the newer cars to achieve a greater top speed than the older cars (in stock form).

 

I just saw the 134 MPH figure on the MINIUSA.COM site (specs for MCS). Is it different on non-US models?

 

I thought the 19% would be enough to stay among the quickest, but maybe not. Looks like us early-year folk will have to escalate to keep up with the new arrivals once they start "evolving..."

Although secondhand and salvage powertrain components are starting to show up on the market, they are still very pricey. For an '05 gearbox with LSD, it'd probably be easier to order one through a dealer that offers NAM users a discount.

Anyone comtemplating going to the trouble of a gearbox retrofit is approaching the price point where twincharging or an Autorotor supercharger conversion starts looking like a compelling alternative. Once one of those is fitted, I'd expect the revised gearing is moot, since, as has already been stated in this thread, there's no point in having any more torque than the tires can cleanly put to the pavement.

To me, the money seems like it'd be better invested in the engine rather than the gearset. Unless, of course, you care about at least trying to keep a small portion of the remainder of your powertrain warranty intact.


Show me that Getrag AWD conversion as a production kit, though, and then I might see sufficient reason to swap out the transaxle!

 

I have 04 MCS March built. I did test drive 05 MCS and I don't feel much different at all. Yes, I did floor every gears from 1-3 in front off the dealer...but that doesn't give me much feeling over 04.

On the same day my buddies let me took their 04 NISSAN Z and 04 VW Golf Gti....now these car you can really feel the kick! Gti is much more punch than MCS no matter 04 or 05, but the gearing is real short. I have to manage to shift like a maniac. Nissan Z is totally monster!! 3rd gear up the hill and the car just pull like rocket....still love my MINI thou!

Now I have 15%, CAI and Exhaust...plus tall 1st gear the car just...totally rocks!

 

True ... you cant redline in 6th...
my '05 with a CAI, ss kit, springs,and 17% pulley--simply flies! and i mean flies!

allan
ps i test drove '04's and the thing i didnt like before i even knew whether was a gearing change coming-- was the gearing. Big difference.

BTW... i did a review of my car (motoringfile.com) before and after putting in the pulley on my '05.
http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/10/...iewed#comments

 

Watch out, all you '05 MCS owners. Since installing 205/40-16 Falken Azenis RT-615's, my gearing is now:

1: 3.5% taller than yours
2: Same as yours
3: 3% lower than yours
4: 3% lower than yours
5: 3% lower than yours
6: 3% lower than yours

 

Neat trick
What does that do to your speedometer? (if you care what speed you are doing!)

 

I compared the indicated speed on the speedometer against the measured speed from GPS and it looks to be a consistent 11% difference. So, in order to go an actual 70 mph, I should put the speedometer at an indicated 77.7 mph. Simple enough for me.

 

Andy,

Not so fast! Your numbers are true only if we 05 owners stick with the stock size.

In my case I dumped the RF and went with Azenis Sport in 215/45-16. Running the numbers:

1: 0.1% lower than yours
2: 3.4% lower than yours
3: 0.4% lower than yours
4: 0.4% lower than yours
5: 0.4% lower than yours
6: 0.4% lower than yours

Better yet my tire width is 4.9% wider than yours.

 

I'm kinda shocked noone's shown the '02-'04 MC vs the '05 MC (midland vs getrag!).

 

as to the top speads you were refering to, they are based on computer speed limiting. With enough power, a mini redlined in 6th could hypothetically break 150...

 

Who cares about gearing... here is my breakdown....

1: Faster than yours
2: Faster than yours
3: Faster than yours
4: Faster than yours
5: Faster than yours
6: Faster than yours

I must say, initial torque on the '05s is much different... but it still seemed to bog down at the same spots as the stock '04s do. I really dont think this gain is much other than getting you off the line faster.