42 replies to this topic

[Peds]

Hi everyone,

Before I get flamed on the question please read all the post.

We're looking for two mini's, one standard and one not. We'd like to take the standard mini we buy (haven't seen one we like yet) to shows around the country. We're not interested in a 'what'll it do mister?' kind of way. More a 'safe speed on the motorway' when keeping up with the flow of traffic kind of way.

I did find a post by someone on one of the threads here listing models and their practical top speeds but can't find the damned thing now!

I'm mechanically sympathetic to my road cars and don't want to screw the nuts off it for the whole journey, but I'd like to know 'x' model will pull 80 for example to overtake a truck...

I know this is going to vary between cars and state of tune and looked after status. I just want to get an idea.

Any advice gratefully received

Peds

[ccfc]

My standard Mayfair 998cc drives at around 65-70 on the Motorway fine (Although most of my driving is in a 50mph limit so she gets a lot of rest). Top Speed i've done a silly 85mph with three others in the car and had flashes of my life before my eyes.

Doing 80 to overtake is feasible, however if it's on a really busy motorway, i.e. limited space in the middle or fast lane, then it becomes tricky to get that extra 10mph or so in a short space. Generally however i'd say a 998cc is okay. I've only ever wished for more power on A-roads to have the confidence to overtake trucks....

[Peds]

Flashes of my life lol, nice one. So 65-70 for a standard Mayfair. Thanks very much for the info mate.

Peds

[Tommyboy12]

A good rule of thumb seems to be for the more common engines:

850 - 74mph
998 - 80mph
1275 - 90mph

Should probably point out these are top speeds.

Edited by Tommyboy12, 15 April 2011 - 09:01 AM.

[Dolly 89]

i headed on down to newquey a couple of years back in my 998 and had no trouble holding her flat out most of the way on the motorway which is anywhere between 60-80MPH depending on wether you are going up or down a hill, there was no problems what so ever she loved every minute of it

[buck]

Regularly cruise at 80 in my 1275, its loud but fine. had her up to 93/96 once with 2 others in the car.... know how you guys feel thought I was going to die, sharply dropped down to 70

[the_r_sole]

yeah, i've not had mine long, but i'd say it's not how fast the engine will go, just how brave you are! i've got an spi and it can easily sit at 70 but i prefer 65 as it's about half the db!! have had it off the 90mph clock, but not for long and not sure how accurate that is anyway...

[Juju]

I thought I had accidentally got my 1275 Mpi up to 110mph a few years ago on the M40.
Now I have sat nav I have found out that my speedo is waaaaaaaaaaay out, 'speshly at higher speeds. So it was plobly more like 95mph.
Sits happily at 70 and will overtake at 85+ when she's called on.

[Peds]

Thanks guys, that is a really quick response. I appreciate everyone taking the time to post. Earplugs on order and wife and son can shut their eyes for the scary bits

[AndyMiniMad.]

Remember that a mini has no crumple zones! a mini will ALWAYS lose in a crash. Your wife and son are more important than a possible top speed. So slow down and be safe..

[new_zealand _minis]

a std 850cc with a 2.7 diff will be as fast as anyother , just take a few miles to get to any sort of decent speed . you will need one long stright !

[TopCatCustom]

a std 850cc with a 2.7 diff will be as fast as anyother , just take a few miles to get to any sort of decent speed . you will need one long stright !

You know you need power to overcome drag right? So a 50cc moped engined mini with a 2.1 diff won't be faster than an 850 with a 2.7! Most new economical cars will in theory do about 160mph but they dont have the power to overcome the drag to get that fast, if they had a lower geared final drive they would probably manage a higher top speed, even though the theoretic top speed would be less.

Edited by C4NN0N, 15 April 2011 - 10:08 AM.

[rwerry]

Here are a few figures you may find useful. Remember that gearing has a big effect on choosing what is an appropriate cruising speed. Cruising at anything over 4000 revs in a Mini can be wearing on both you and the car (N.B. all figures approximate):

Early 850
Top speed: 74
Final drive: 3.765
MPH @ 3000 RPM: 44

Early 1000
Top speed: 75
Final drive: 3.44
MPH @ 3000 RPM: 48

Later 1000 (1988 on, 12" wheels)
Top speed: 84
Final drive: 3.105
MPH @ 3000 RPM: 55

Mk 6 1275 Minis (1990-1996)
Top speed: 87
Final drive: 3.105
MPH @ 3000 RPM: 55

Mk 7 Minis (1996 on)
Top speed: 90
Final drive: 2.76
MPH @ 3000 RPM: 62

[Peds]

Remember that a mini has no crumple zones! a mini will ALWAYS lose in a crash. Your wife and son are more important than a possible top speed. So slow down and be safe..

I agree completey Andy, my comment was meant in tongue in cheek but maybe I shouldn't have put that. As per my initial post we are not interested in a 'what'll it do mister?' kind of way. More a 'safe speed on the motorway' when keeping up with the flow of traffic kind of way.

Thanks for the comment.

Peds

Edited by Peds, 15 April 2011 - 10:34 AM.

[Peds]

rwerry - Hi Robert, thanks for the table in your post. Some useful information in there. We just wanted our 'standard' mini to be able to hold its own in modern traffic streams without being overtaken by every other vehicle on the road.

Had a look at your profile page, we share some common interests too!

Thanks

Peds