I have not been letting the rpms get below 2K or above 35K for normal driving. I do notice a power pick up at 3K. So not wanting to baby or abuse the engine, should I shift to keep the revs between 3 & 4KK in first through fifth. Sixth gets 75 mph at 3K, so the speed limit covers that one. I ask because 3 to 4K seems loud to my ear in the lower gears.

Jim

 

Shift at what makes you feel comfortable. Just remember to blow the smoke out of it once in awhile.

 

Sort of depends on what the car is doing, and how much load there is on the engine. To me, 2,500 seems like a good cruising rpm up to around 55 mph for level cruising at a constant speed. If going up a grade, accelerating, cruising above 55, or needing quicker response I'll run at a higher rpm. It doesn't hurt to wind it up to just under redline occasionally under acceleration.

 

+1

 

 

Does that mean you never go that high or never that low?

Jim

 

I think it is a mistake in your rpm meter. It seems you meant to write 3.5 K not 35 K.

 

35K rpms are impressive for our cars!

I shift around 2.5-3k when the engine is cold and around 3-3.5k normally. I typically drive around somewhere close to the 3k mark.

 

Also depends on the lead content in your foot

 

Actually 2500 - 3500 sounds really boring to me. The fun in a MINI for me is going quickly. My car sees 6000+ regularly away from traffic lights, I love the sounds that start at 4000, and am seldom under those rpm's on the highway, I really like to keep in the 4500 - 5500 range on the highway s that I'm ready to respond to passing situations. Mileage? if that interested me I would buy a Prius. Yes 2850 when LEO is on the map.

 

Opps.....I guess I did leave out the "dot" between the three and the five. Thanks for all the replys as they have been helpful. Reving to 5.5 or 6 under power sounds right, but remaining there all the time seems like asking for trouble.

Jim

 

I think you are asking about driving in a normal non-Aggressive maner so I would suggest keeping the RPM's around the 2,000 mark. With six gears it is easy to do and the gas mileage will be good. After a while you will not even look at the tach in normal driving because you will just get used to the feel of the engine and it will become natural.

 

Thanks, I ask here because most of you have had your Coopers longer then I and four bangers are stronger then to old ones I knew.

So, lets kick it up a notch. Were would you keep the revs while running the "Dragon".

Jim

 

When running the Dragon it will be a lot different. You will not want to be shifting up & down like a rowboat so running it up to redline if needed is fine. Of course I don't suggest speeding on the Dragon because of the traffic ETC. Drive a good brisk drive and enjoy the curves. Find a gear that works for you and enjoy the drive."ALWAYS" STAY ON YOUR SIDE OF THE CENTER LINE""ALWAYS"

The Dragon is not a race track so don't try to drive it like it is one. You can enjoy the curves without going crazy.

 

You answered my question nicely, as I just want to drive it more smoothly and got concened about reving as high as I did a couple of times. There is not a lot of time to be shifting, as you say. Don't get me wrong. I did the dragon this year and a race track it is not, or at least not for me.

Jim

 

Hi Jim, I'm sure you know by now after running the Dragon that these Mini's are just plain fun to drive at any speed. You really need to get a track day to really find out how good these cars handle. Find a club in your area that does track days and anti up the $400.00 or so to do one. I belong to the Audi club here in Florida. My friend Jack runs his Porsche. I have another friend that also has a Porsche. My friend Randy's old girl friend got me into the Audi club even though I don't have an Audi or a Porsche and I just renew every year so I can do their track days. I used to have a Corvette and the club I was in with that car used to rent Gainesville Drag strip as well as the Daytona speedway. The problem with that was it was the Oval only and not the Rolex road course track like we do with the Audi club. It was still fun days though.

I don't run my car anymore because this stupid cancer has me so tired I can't drive like I want to and don't want to wreck my car. If I feel better next year I will get back to doing my hot laps. I missed the Dragon this year because of my radiation treatments. I'm hoping I can do Mini takes the states and MITM in august. I just gotta wait & see.

 

Ronnie, thanks for your replys and I do hope things get better for you. If you can attend MOTD in 2011, please let me know, as It would be my pleaure to meet you and possibly ride shotgun with you on a Dragon run.

Jim