I drive an 03 MC with a manual transmission. When I try to put it in reverse, it either won't go in, or grinds some, then slips in with a little force behind it. I've noticed if I put it into 3rd before I try to put it into reverse, it'll usually go right in. I also noticed if i pull the clutch out, and then push it back in, it'll usually go right in too. On top of that, it frequntly does it when I down shift into first or second also, which gets very annoying sometimes. My friend told me something about syncronizing rings? But I have no idea what he's talking about. Anyone have any ideas?

 

No syncronizing rings for reverse, clutch out/in then shift to reverse. It helps line things up, I'd guess. A number of '02-'03 owners I've talked to have the same problem. My 5 speed was replaced at 42,000 and the problem was there in the new one, too. Crappy design.

 

well if i was an engineer for mini i would fix the crappy design.

 

Don't know much about the MINI tranny or clutch, but similar issues in my Z3 and in my Porsche meant the clutch was getting worn. How many miles and how hard do you bang it?

 

it's got about 52k, and i drive it a step above normal, but not too crazy.

 

Clutch could conceivabley be wearing. Replaced the one in the Porsche at 34K, but had been sitting then saw lots of track time afterr I bought it.
The Z3 was fine shifting until I took it autocrossing a couple times. Then afterwards it was fine as long as I was mellow, but when I wanted to play hard, grinds, grunts and messy shifts became a bit more common. It had about 52K as well. It felt a little soft in clutch when I sold it, but as a regular driver, it'll probably last another 20K. It depends on how you drive, and want it to feel. But this data may not apply at all to a MINI, being FWD vs RWD, but the Porsche was a transaxle car. (944Turbo)

 

Same thing happens to mine, and has been that way since the day we took delivery. Clutching in/out does seem to help things "line-up," also I've found that letting the car settle back or forth with the parking break off moves things ever so slightly off and it goes right in. Sometimes it just won't go for the life of it...

I've never been concerned, nor do I think I need to be. No synchro would do it, if the gears weren't meshing.

- Matt

 

My '03 does the same thing...it's not a problem, it's just the way it works.

 

My 03s is the same, with 17,000 miles! I got it at 4400 miles and it was like that then.So,like they said,bad design!

Bill

 

They did. Six speed getrag.

 

Not in the 05-06 MC. It's a Getrag, but still a 5 speed, which in my wifes 05 MCc is just as snarky about going into reverse as my 03 MC.

Clutch in/out helps, so does going into second gear, then into reverse. 2nd and reverse are on the same spindle, so it helps line things up.

Bottom line, don't worry about, but avoid grinding as that IS bad.

Mark