Okay, so I have a new MINI. And Already I find myself griping over, or concerned for my 6 speed transmission. It seems very notchy to me and sometimes hard to get into gears...mainly 3rd. Especially when downshifting from 4th to 3rd. Sometimes it feels like it has 2 clicks to get it in..hard to explain, but like when you push it in and it feels like it catches on something then you have to further push to get it past that first hang-up to get into gear. Now I might be making this sound much worse than it actually is.... but it does seem strange for such a new car - is this because it so new? Also notice how far I have to push the clutch pedal in to allow gear to engage. Is this normal? And can it be adjusted?

 

I'm having the same problem as well. If you find out the problem and a fix lemme know :/

 

Regarding the downshift to 3rd, are you guys matching revs via heal and toe braking while downshifting? I've found that when the revs are mismatched the clutch needs to be ALL of the way in for that downshift, so when I'm trying to be quick, it doesn't always like to go in. However when I match revs like I normally try to do, there is never an issue as it pops in correctly.

Just a thought.

mb

 

I found at the lower rpms it's harder to get in gear. higher rpms it isn't a problem. Havn't mastered the healtoe yet, so it could be my problem?

I also find that the 2-3 shift 3 is a bit hard to get into not sure why?

 

It should loosen up a bit as the car wears in. Also, if the engine is cold (in the morning, it is is normal). As for the clutch friction point, it's hit n miss. Some cars have a very low friction point, some have high. It is a hydraulic clutch so maybe the dealer can check the fluid levels and maybe make an adjustment. personally, I would prefer the friction point to be as low to the floor as possible. Less chance of clutch slippage. I believe as the clutch wears, that friction point will move up.

The notchiness might also be a subjective factor. If you are comparing with, say a Honda, Honda has some of the smoothest shifters in the business so it might not be a fair comparison. Having driven other manual transmissions like, say Mazda's, Toyota's, VW's, GM's etc, I would say the MINI's is pretty good.

 

maybe I just need to drive my car more

 

Yeah, this might be me comparing it from my A4, which felt like butter. I'm sure it's me - as I could tell if it was a real issue.

 

When shifting from 2-3, I pause very briefly in between gears. If your hand is completely off the shifter in between gears, the shifter centers itself right between 3 & 4. So when shifting 2-3, I push the **** out of 2 with the heel of my hand, let it center itself (by very loosely letting holding on), and again push it into 3.

I found that when I tried to give the shifter too much guidance, I mis-shifted.

 

Not to worry, as the car gets driven the gears will smooth out. I currently have an '06 MC and it still "groinks" when I put it into reverse, but not as much as it used to...mechanic friend says it is normal with most new cars with a standard. It was the same way with my '04 MC. Hope this helps. Mick

 

I think the problem is when you are shifting really fast, that it causes the most problems. I have found I don't have time to take my hand off the shifter. I probably need to gas it a bit more and match the revs before I let off. I bet that would help alot more.

 

I have a 2005 Cooper with a 5 speed which was very notchy, after 12000km, it has gotten much smoother.