The gearbox is nice but I have worked hard to get my car the way it is and I like it. I would like to drive an 05 JCW for comparison and that may work itself out here pretty soon.

 

Are you in Charlotte? I have such a beast...

 

If I recall correctly SpiderX is in Atlanta.

Hey Spider, have you tried Hank Aaron? When we were MINI shopping, they had a JCW available for test drive. I even had the salesman "encourage" me to do some "spirited" motoring.

 

Hank Aaron didn't have any cars with the JCW package when I dropped by last month. I'll be up there tomorrow to pick up my new ride. If I find out differently i'll post back here.

 

Please do.

Yes I am in Atlanta.

I was surprised at how the car jumps with the new gears. All hell must break loose with extra power.

My car has the same torque as the JCW but about 15-20 more HP, mostly up top. I think with those gears that I doubt I'd be able to catch a JCW 05. That gear box is "jumpy."

 

Yea I'm still not a fan of the new shorter-ratio gearbox for the '05 MCS. It makes 1st gear wholly pointless on a modded '05 MCS. Plus I find myself going slower cruising in an '05 because otherwise I'm revving the engine more than I'm used to in MM2, lol. I'll keep my '04 MCS for a while.

 

I have an 05 MCS JCW. I wish you were closer.... because I would like to drive a non-JCW again to see the difference... since mine came with the JCW Kit since day one. But I LOVE my JCW - it's so smooooooth!

 

I think that is my concern. My engine winds up pretty quick and the new first gear would be done in a second or two. I like modulating my power band in second and third gear. I think I would doing a lot more shifting. I'm not saying my way is faster but I like it.

 

I bet the gear ratio change was largely about the US market (just like the de-tuning of the suspension ). American drivers seem to place a premium on low end grunt, and rarely venture into the top end of the power curve. Europeans know better.

 

Darn. That could also have a negative effect on highway fuel economy. Too bad. But one cannot have it both ways. If I could have afforded it I would have preferred getting a JCW motor. Sigh. Next lifetime.

 

low end owns, having to wait for spool up is terrible... and just so you know short gears aren't an american thing at all... that's all euro and japanese low end grunt is all about the tourque and with a tiny motor that's hard to get with longer gears, american motors like longer gears for the bigger tourque curve

 

No actually the change was a "worldwide" thing. Whether the US customer base prompted the change or not, I am not totally sure, but owners in Europe (Go to www.mini2.com) also loudly complained about the very tall 1st gear in the '02-'04 MCS.

Rarely venture into the top end of the curve? Sure! in a controlled environment like the track, but for everyday driving in public roads with posted speed limits, I much prefer a shorter 1st gear for better pickup, acceleration and low end grunt. I have found my new MCS to be a much more relaxed drive in congested city traffic, thanks to the revised gearing ratios, than my 2004 MCS with the tall gearing.

Europeans complained time and time again about the sort of lethargic low end response of the stock MCS, hence MINI made the gearing changes accross the board.

I personally much prefer the '05 MCS demeanor than the previous MCS, but that's me.

 

Well, I was at Hank Aaron yesterday evening to pick up my car. They had a 2005 MCS on the lot. Unfortunately it was spoken for and was also a convertible, which wouldn't give you an accurate representation regardless.