I've never owned a car with a six-speed transmission. I am used to having reverse either below 5th (American and Japanese cars) or to the left of 1st (German cars). I like having some kind of lockout device, like a ring you have to pull up (Chevy) or a requirement that you push the shift **** down (VW) before it will let you shift into reverse.

The first time I drove a Mini, I couldn't figure out how to get into reverse! I guess that makes for a pretty good lockout. The salesman told me to push hard, so I pushed hard to the left. I did, and nothing happened. He laughed and told me to push harder and eventually I got it into reverse. Is this the way it works with all MT Minis? Does the lockout mechanism stay strong and tight over time? Any issues with this? I guess it works, but it would take some getting used to!

 

I hear you, it does take a little getting used to, especially if you are a frequent parallel parker. Took me about a week to get used to it. I did prefur my MS6 shifter (push down then left), but it also had a really nice small throw compered to my MCS.

And yes, mine got a little bit easier to get into reverse after my firks 1K.

I believe they (6mt mini's) are all like that, but don't quote me on it.

 

I think it's more of getting the feel. When I first got the car I would sometimes be in reverse rather than first at a stop light (fortunately no incidents). After a while I got the feel and I can't recall having a situation again

 

Mine doesn't take 'that' much effort to get into R, but it still isn't easy.

 

The first time it was a bit weird, but after that it wasn't an issue. You'll get used to it. I parallel park a couple times a day and it isn't something i even think about anymore.

 

I also came from a Japanese 5 speed. My 2007 MCS is a little too easy to get into reverse, IMO. In the first six months, if I was in a hurry to find 1st, I sometimes got reverse because I slamed it too hard to the left before pushing forward. Haven't done that in quite awhile now.

 

Mine is way too easy in my opinion. So far not a serious mistake but occasionaly find R looking for 1. Really scarey to think what might happen. Hate having to actually look down at shifter to make sure I didn't go too far. I would prefer a real lockout of some kind.

Actually thinking about one of these LCD shift ***** that indicates gear to at least make the looking part faster..
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WE-khpBaEZk

Anyone actually install one in a MINI?

 

The transition into reverse isn't on the same "straight" path as 1st-6th gears. When shifting from neutral it's a left but a diagonally down just a little bit. I had the same problem and after I realized this I can shift into reverse no sweat.

 

That shift **** is pretty cool! It would be bad news for people attracted to "shiny things" as you'd probably crash into the guard rail admiring the cool LED lights

 

Ditto - I came from a Honda 6-speed and prefer their "R" position. In a rush, I have put mine in "R" instead of 1st several times. To me the effort is much to low.

 

I think it's perfect in my MC. I never miss 1st and go into reverse, it takes a bit more force to get it all the way over there. Be gentle!

I test drove an MS3 where you have to push it down, I prefer my MINI over that anyday.

 

My first time was just like yours, since I had read on NAM that it is too easy to shift into reverse. IMO, it is pretty hard to shift into reverse; idk, unless your the kind of person who slams the **** into gear? Be gentle to your MT.

 

Ditto. The only trouble I have is down shifting to first in a hard right-hand turn (autocrossing), if you're not careful, the force of the right turn may be enough to drop onto reverse instead of first, and it never grinds reverse either (luckily, i have always noticed it before jumping off the clutch)

 

I test drove a new WRX STI before buying my Mini and with that one you have to pull up on the collar before you can shift into reverse. That seemed a bit awkward as it's actually pretty far down the stick, so doing it all in one smooth motion was difficult.

The first few days I had the MCS I put it in R instead of 1st two times, but it hasn't happened since. I find it to be just enough effort to remind me that R is there.

 

I've never had a problem with it... I'll admit sometimes I'm afraid I WILL shift into reverse instead of 1st, but I don't exert enough pressure to really do so. I have to parallel park several times a day (four?) and it works out just fine!

 

I hit R once or twice the in first couple of weeks. Now I can tell what gear the shifter is in just by the position of the stick.
After driving a bit, you will wonder how you could miss it.

 

I also could be used to it cause before i went mini i was driving a Ford focus SVT with a similar Getrag six speed.

 

Unless you're perfectly nailing the reverse gate every time you push the shifter left I don't see how this would be a problem. Push left until you feel the smallest bit of resistance, push forward, you're in 1st. Mistakenly shifted into R taking her home from the dealer, the only time I did it.

 

Amen.

 

Too easy in my opinion. Quite a few times I've put my car in neutral at a light. When the light turned green, I hurriedly tried to put the car in first resulting with it starting to go into reverse.

Obviously, it didn't actually go into reverse because you can tell it went too far but there needs to be some sort of lockout.

Guess that's what I get for putting it in neutral...

Mark

 

LED lights?

 

I've also noticed that it seemed as the the 2007s had too little resistance, and as they got newer, MINI added more and more.

 

 

I am finding on my 2003 MCS that most of the time there is significant resistance to get into reverse, so no problem to go to first. However, every once in a while there is absolutely NO resistance, and I get reverse instead of first gear. 96,000 miles - so I am wondering if the reverse lock is wearing our (if it can) or could something be sticking?

 

I find it too easy to accidentaly get into reverse. On my STi there was a lockout device and you had to put it all the way to the right. On the MCS it is WAAAY too close to first and there is no lockout device. I'll admit that it is easier after having the car for a few months, but I can see myself accidentaly put it in reverse by mistake. I always play with it sitting at a light and look for those reverse lights in the car behind me's grill. LOL