Well I drove my mini around for the first time today as I just bought it on 10-18, and I have a few questions. Now my last car was Scion tC with a 5-speed and I am very used to how that car responded to everything.

This is my first car that has a 6-speed and I am slowly getting used to putting into 6th, but I keep feeling like I am going into reverse. When I put it into 6th I just feel that the car is chugging. Its like the car wants to stay about 2500RPMs all the time in order to happy. Is this normal?? When you guys are cruising around 45-50MPH do you keep it in 5th or put it into 6th?

Any other little driving tips would be great as I am still getting used to how to super charger responds when hitting the gas just slightly.

Thanks Ken

 

The S's have a 6th gear..

Usually 4th for me at that speed....Sometimes 3rd......


I usually save 6th for Interstate and long stretches of two lane where no one is front of me.

Hope you enjoy the car. They are indeed a blast to drive....

 

I keep my car in 6th when cruising on the highway at speeds in excess of 55mph. Otherwise its in 4th and 5th.
Leaving 6th for getting the best mpg.

 

Forget about the way the Scion felt. You're in a real car now. 6th gear is best used on open highways and any speeds over 68mph. You'll get better milage if you drive in 6th at high speeds.

 

The only time my Mini sees 6th is when I am going 70ish

 

I drive a MCSa...and when I'm in MANUAL mode, I'll have it in 5th most of the time when it's at 45-50, sometimes even keeping at 4th, unless I get into a smooth flat stretch will I go into 6th.

When the "computer" is in command the SD (Sports Drive) mode will stay either on 4th or 5th at those same speeds.

So if that's any indication to you...even for an automatic....

 

was it really necessary to bash Scions?

The fact is its a tiny engine that needs to run at higher RPMs to go anywhere. Nothing wrong with that, its just the torque and HP curve.

In fact, you SHOULD be in 6th gear when you don't lug the engine for best gas mileage. Need to pass or accelerate, just drop down a gear or two and immediately go back to sixth for cruising as long as your not lugging the engine, you do no damage.

 

Thanks for letting me know about when you normally going into 6th gear. I drove it around some more today and am starting to get used to it. The Scion overall was a great car. I was going to keep it for another year and get a new mini next year, but so far I don't like the looks of the 07's all that much. Also the tC held its value as they gave me what I wanted for the trade in for the Mini.

Thanks everyone

Ken

 

keep the rev's over 2500rpm while cruising. i usually have it around 2700rpm
to 2900rpm.

 

It was, and you know it.

 

If I'm at 45 or higher and the road is level, I'm usually in 6th.

Rawhyde

 

Before I discovered NAM, I used to spend some time in the MINI Owners Lounge. I knew I had seen this subject discussed somewhere and thought you might find in useful.

1. The "best" RPM to shift depends on what you are trying to accomplish. If gas mileage is your main goal, shift at 2500-3000 RPM so that you will be around 2000 in the next gear. Don't lug the engine by going below 1500-1800, but shift at the lowest possible RPM.

If your goal is to have more fun, have sufficient torque to accelerate through curves, etc., shift higher. On a stock MCS, I always try to keep RPM around 3000 or above. That means shifting at 4000-4500.

If you want the greatest performance, shift at even higher RPM. 5500-6000 won't hurt anything except gas mileage.

2. The tachometer is there for a reason.

In a MINI (MC, CVT or MCS) you should think:

* 2000 to 2500 rpm when you are not accellerating.
* 3000 to 3500 rpm when you *plan* on accellerating soon.
* up to 5500 rpm as you are actually accellerating.
* back down to 2000 to 2500 when you are cruising again.

You can't work out a rule based on speed because the RPM you need depends on traffic conditions and how aggressively you feel like driving.

3. I've gotten in a bit late on this board--but here goes. I've always been in the habit of shifting(for the past 40 years) between 3500 and 4500RPM on average--My first car, an MGB demanded it. The great thing about the MCS 6 speed box is you do what ever the hell you want. You can toodle along at low RPM and get better gas mileage, or you can wind it up and listen to the supercharger spool-up(really sweet sound)--and then select a lower gear for a curve to keep the power up and listen to the exhaust gurgle(another sweet sound). contemporary manual gearboxes, especially the MCS seems to do whatever you want it to. I drive accordingly---drive it easy when I want to, or really enthusiastically when the mood strikes me(more often the case). Just Motor

There is a bunch more there, but these three comments give you the general idea, I think. As the man says, "Just Motor".

 

40 -50? 4th or 5th gear, depending on traffic.

 

i can guarantee you that you will get better gas milage running 2700rpm
on this car than 2000rpm while cruising.

 

I think Dirk summed it quite well. After just a few more days of driving you will know when to shift. Happy motoring!

 

5th gear is the best. Downshifting from 6th to 5th at "high speeds" (don't want to get thread locked) is addicting. Just listen to the "music"

 

Don't be dissin' Scions now...ok, you can diss the xA and xB, but the tC is a completely different animal....2.4 Camry engine in a nicely designed coupe. My wife has the auto tC and it drives great. Yes, it drives different to a MINI, of course it's going to...but that doesn't mean it's not a good car, especially at under $17k.

 

I only shift into 6th when...oh dang it! I have a Cooper! But, my redline is raised to 7250, so I can go 60 MPH in 2nd gear! Wheeeeee!

 

Congratulations on your new MINI I picked up mine about a month ago and the only issue I have is running over the speed limit before running out of gears. Just keep motoring, and you will get a good feel for things quickly. I went from a Toyota Tacoma 5 speed to my mcs, and I totally get what you are talking about concerning the reverse gear. As a matter of fact I jumped in my truck the other day for a quick spin, and it took me a few minutes to get used to the 5 speed shift pattern again (and I have been driving my truck for 10 years )


Show us some pictures!

Scott

 

We are all entitled to our opinions. However, there is no need to bash another person's choice of vehicles who originated this thread.

He asked a simple question and you used it to state an opinion on his choice of vehicles

Thats not very respectful of others feelings especially since it was OT from his question:impatient

 

Driving my usual lazy commuting speeds, as soon as I'm close to 60 I go to 6th. 50 to 60 is 5th gear range for me. 40 to 50 is 4th... I go by the sound of the engine really.