Hey All,

Odd question! I feel like I have to drop my speed quite low (Below 5 miles an hour) to get in to first while coming to a stop, is that normal? I feel like most of my other manual transmission cars were not like this, is this normal of second gen mini's?

 

You can do a double-clutch if you absolutely have to get into first gear while you are moving. Otherwise, it's best to just come to a stop, then shift to first and start moving again.

I never shift to first unless I am at a full stop or moving no more than 2 or 3 mph.

What you are describing sounds very normal of any modern manual transmission I have driven, and our MINIs are no exception.

 

Never...
Consider first just to get moving.
When coming to a stop, just keep it in third of second, till you feel a flight lug, go to neutral, and normally you should be rolling to a stop in a moment....

 

Do you Rev Match prior to attempting to drop it into First Gear?

I don't use First Gear to slow... If I'm on the track and I need to drop to first, I do it after the majority of braking and I shift (rev match) so I can accelerate out but it takes a really sharp turn to get me to drop below second on track.

I have always taught... brakes are cheaper than clutches and transmissions...

Motor on!

 

Great, this is likely just me being paranoid with a new car! Thanks for the input!

 

is this your first stick?

imo one never shifts down to first unless at a full stop ...

but I've only driven stick for 40 years . .

 

Nope, an 04 Cooper was my first stick. It was used and had 70,000 miles on it. I blew that clutch in, oh, 3 months? Then I moved to a Vespa PX (shifter) when I got rid of the mini, then a hyundai accent (manual). the clutch in the hyundai is very soft, and I can get in to first without being completely stopped (at a stop sign) So I think driving that has kind of thrown me off. Plus, having bought a used mini the first time, I think I'm more paranoid than I should be. I also bought it from a shady third party dealer, never a good idea!

 

I never downshift into first. I've been driving since 1977 and have never had an automatic and have never replaced a clutch. I'd say that if you're going slow enough to downshift into first you should just shift into neutral and use your brakes or coast...if you start moving again before coming to a stop you can do it in second. I'm not sayin' I'm right, that's just how I do it.