OK

I just got my MCS last Friday and I haven't owned a manual tranny since I got rid of my 1980 Dodge Colt Twin-Stick back in '86. (A little yellow and black beauty that looked all the world like a bumblebee.....)

From those of you that have more experience in these sorts of foot-to-pedal matters I would like to know two or three things that I can do to make sure that my clutch lasts until this Friday! And no, before you ask, I'm not the race-from-the-line kind of guy, just a Mini owner trying to keep his baby in good working order.

BTW I drove to SoCal over the weekend on I-5 and just had a blast with the little Minski on the open road. Got lots of stares and man is this baby quick!

Pointers appreciated, observations welcome

 

Congratulations on the new MCS - where are the photos??? and why have you not described what color, etc... it is ???

For the Clutch thing... I've driven stick off and on so each time I get a new stick shift car I usually first find the best spot for the seat to be. Not to close to the front so my knees are not bent too much, and not to far back that I can't slam the gas to the floor when I want to go, etc... I find the best spot to sit in and then I drive it every chance I get so I can get the "Feel" of it. It's like riding a bike! or skating. You never forget how, you just need to get back in the swing!!

Have fun in your MINI! --- ok, now go take those photos!!

 

CONGRATS David! Another mystery April Clubber has come out of the woodwork

The MINI's clutch is really easy to use, just remember not to ride the clutch with your foot, or do banzai drops at 6k at every light, and you'll be good for many, many miles.

Cheers,
Ryan

 

First things first....2003 MCS BRG w/ white top


Austin

The seat thing is a good tip, I am still playing around with all of the adjustments trying to find the best combo of distance for feet vs. distance for hands. The thing that seems to be plaguing me now is when I shift into first after a stop I go along fine and then the car slows when the clutch fully engages. I think it's because I don't keep the revs up until the clutch is all the way in. I know it's a feel thing, the rest of the gears just go right on up the ladder......

On the way back from SoCal I was over the 1200 mile mark and decided to see what the Mini could do on the that long, long straight stretch that is I-5 in California. On an open strtech some guy in a new beetle was just ******* my butt and would not go around me.

So I just pushed on the pedal, blew away from him and looked down at the speedo to see the needle passing 115. I was AMAZED at the ease at which this car just goes. I haven't driven a car this fast and smooth since I rented a Renault diesel van in Italy a few years back and spent two weeks traveling at about 125. What a great car this is and certainly worth the 12 month wait.

Here's a photo of our mini Mini collection:

 

DavidR, where are you from, NorCal?

 

Aero,

Yeah we live in the Bay Area. BTW the little mini is for sale, my son is off to college and wants to get a bigger car.

 

Ryephile hit the nail on the head! Avoid dumping or slipping the clutch and for heaven's sake, if you aren't pushing it in, keep your foot away from the pedal! These are probably the 2 most common causes of early clutch failure.

 

Cheers!
Clover

 

you should keep it, it is a collector and complements your new one.