Hello,

Yesterday I let my boss drive my 2013 MCS 6spd (first and last time!). He considers himself a car guy and a "good driver". Well once the car had warm up he proceeded to really hammer it. He make two attempts to shift from 1st to 2nd so fast that the car didn’t let him into 2nd gear. I told him to ease up and not to try and shift so fast. Third time was the charm but not without a nice chirp. I thought to myself "my poor transmission". The gears never grinded or anything like that. Has anyone else experienced the car not letting you into gear in the scenario? Is it possible that he hurt my Mini in any way? The car is driving fine, I’m just worried seeing as how the car is new and all. (The motor is broken in I am at 2,800 miles.)

I am all for driving it hard, but this was just unnecessary. I drive hard and shift plenty fast and never have this issue.

 

He probably just wasn't shifting straight down. I wouldn't worry about it unless it made a huge grind and you can't get it into 2nd now. Sounds like it was human error no harm done.

 

Assuming that the car shifts just fine in your hands (and continue to do so after the abusive test-drive), I would chalk it up on in-experience with your car's gearbox. One needs some seat time to get used to how a given car shifts and where the clutch pedal's engagement point is.

Again - if car is shifting like before, I wouldn't worry about it.
But I wouldn't let him drive it again either !

a

 

Sounds like user error to me.

 

This. 1-2 can be a tricky shift if you're not familiar with the gearbox, and if it didn't make any horrible noises, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

Like everyone has said I woulnt worry as long as it drives normal now. I took my car to the track before I was very familiar with the gearbox and did the samething.

 

Your boss didn't do your gearbox any favors. Shifting so hard/fast that you don't allow the synchros to synchronize the new gears is very hard on the synchros and, if the transmission grinds, very hard on the shift dogs. Over time, synchro wear from fast shifting will cause the gearbox to become progressively more "crunchy" until it will get so bad it will need to be rebuilt. The first synchros to go are usually the ones for 1st-2nd gear shifts as this is when mismatch between gear speeds is the highest.

I can tell immediately when driving a car which has had an abused gearbox as you really have to shift slowly and make sure you don't force it into gear. Even then, there will often be a brief little "crunch" as the gears finally engage.

Fortunately, gearboxes are pretty tough so they'll tolerate a little abuse now and then. But do this sort of thing continually, and it will take its toll.

Shifting to minimize transmission and clutch wear is a bit of an art. You don't need to shift super slowly, but you need to fully depress the clutch, and apply gentle pressure to the shifter, letting the gearbox drop into gear when it is ready. The resulting shift will be deliberate, but very very smooth. Shift like this always and the gearbox and synchros will last virtually forever. If you're the type that likes fast shifting, get a car with a paddle-shifted DSG-type gearbox.

Don't let your boss drive your car anymore!

- Mark

 

Tell your boss you need a raise and a promotion to pay for car repairs in your future.....a little guilt can go a long way!! Any good boss should NEVER drive a subordinate's car, never mind wail on it...especially when new....
IMO sounds like a messed up kind of place to work....
Poor boundaries....IMO find a better place to work. ....things only tend to get worse at places like that....