The final drive is the last gear ratio in the drivetrain, typically associated with the 4th gear, and plays a significant role in determining engine RPM at a given speed.

• Higher final drive = more revs
• Lower final drive = less revs

A high final drive ratio, like 3.765:1, can make you shift gears more frequently and lead to higher engine revs, which can be less fun to drive and make long highway drives uncomfortable. On the other hand, a low final drive ratio tends to rely on more torque, making the engine feel less potent but more like a newer everyday car—perfect for relaxed highway cruising but surely not as much fun on the curvy roads ahead of you.

Additionally, when moving from 10-inch to 13-inch wheels, the effective final drive ratio would increase by about 10.5%, making the engine rev slightly lower at the same speed, providing a more relaxed driving experience.

Quick Calculation Tip:

To estimate the effect of changing from 10-inch to 13-inch wheels on the final drive ratio, simply reduce the ratio by 10.5%. For example, a 3.444:1 final drive becomes approximately 3.131:1 with 13-inch wheels. Use this method for any final drive to adjust for wheel size changes!

Here’s a list of the original final drive ratios for different Mini models and related cars: