Just picked up the stick shift Cooper S a few days ago. Finding it requires a lot of force to get into reverse gear. I'd guess around 20 pounds of force. Has not gone down without a fight yet.

I feel like this can't be normal, but maybe it will relax a bit with use? Do you have to manhandle your mini to get it into reverse too?

 

That keeps you from accidentally going into reverse. I like to start in the middle position and give it a little momentum when pushing toward reverse. Goes in a easier that way. I have a little over 1000 miles on my car and it has gotten a little easier.

 

Totally normal.

 

Mine is like that too. I'm thankful for the gear indicator on the speedometer.

 

I found the same after changing from my broken Midlands to a 6-speed Getrag.
It did loosen up a bit over the first month, but reverse always needs a good sharp shove.
I initially thought of getting a Whalens or similar heavier ****, as the momentum from
it is supposed to make this easier, but I got used to it well before I could save up enough
to get one, so I'm staying with the stock ****.

 

I am in the process of changing out the shifter assembly on my 2009 S. Going into reverse my shifter felt just fine until the other day when I felt a little bit more resistance. I added a couple ounces of extra push which resulted in a "pop" and the shifter went limp. After I burrowed down under the top cover, I found that the shaft holding that white nylon linkage had snapped off. I am never rough with anything on my car so I really don't know why it failed but of course I am now trying to figure out how to change the entire shifter assembly. The difference between normally shifting into reverse and enough to break the shifter was fairly tiny.

 

Good to know, thanks for the responses. Don't remember having as much problem with the dealer car I backed up with, maybe it was a bit more broken in. The gear indicator is indeed useful :D

 

Ah goes in a lot easier with a nice swift jab.