hello! I bought Cooper day after Christmas and I learn new things about it constantly, I want to keep reading all posts and hopefully learn something about Cooper. I have an '06 MCS. I don't use the paddle shifters because I don't know how to. How can I learn?

this is a great forum, I look forward to learning, THANKS and Happy Driving!

 

Hello and Welcome!! This is a great places to learn about your MINI and all kinds of great info! As far as the paddle shifters I can't help you there, but in the upper right hand corner there is a search button and you might be able to find something about it there. Good Luck!

 

If the paddle shifters are the same like the new gen, you move the gear selector over to the left(at least for the 2nd gen) Then shift with the paddles. With the 2nd gen I think it is pull to downshift and push to up shift. At least that is what I remember how it was when I test drove a MCSa

 

With the Second Gen, I have an '07, you don't have to touch the stick shift to engage the manual. Press one of the paddles forward to downshift, and pull one of them toward you to upshift. The small screen on the tach will tell you what gear you've just shifted into. Tis a lot of fun playing with the paddles when making turns, doing curves, and even slowing up for a stop light.


CROC member no. 411

 

How fast is the shift response on the paddles? I find most cars are very slow to respond (1/2 - 1 second).

 

I use the paddles mostly to downshift. It grabs almost immediately, and the car slows with a small lurch as the engine revs.

I drove a standard MC as a loaner. Its response to the stick shift was quicker, as to be expected. One thing I noticed, the standard I had was extremely smooth shifting. Drove a standard MCS as a loaner too, and man, that car wanted to shift. And I got a rush when the turbo kicked in so quickly (I'd never motored an S before).

My next MINI, down the road, I've had this one only a year, will be a standard shift.

member 411

 

not sure what gen it is, like I said, still learning, but I know that I have to move the gear selector to the right to drive standard, I shift up using the shifters and down using the gear selector...I just don't know when to do it!

I'm learning though! thanks for your replies!

 

For shifting, use your tach on the steering wheel. I upshift when the rpm hits 4K and downshift when it's below 3K. Hope this helps. You'll develop a feel for it.

CROC member 411

 

You have a 1st gen MINI R53. Pics please!