I have had my 07 MCS for less than a day, and so far have accidentally tossed it into reverse instead of first at a stoplight. Fortunately, I caught myself before the car rolled more than an inch backwards, and the guy behind me didn't roll forward while I was stationary. I know my luck won't hold up too long... Any hints about not sliding into reverse? Please don't tell me I am the only one who has done this... Is there supposed to be a reverse lockout that isn't working on my MCS? I have had quite a few sticks over the years, but never one that slid into reverse this easily.


Paul

 

You have to spend some time just moving the stick and getting a feel for the second spring that resists the move to reverse. When you move left to first from neutral the spring is pretty weak. To go further to reverse you have to apply additional force to overcome the second spring. When you do it slowly you can feel it. When you quickly push home to left its easy to accidently overshoot to reverse. I've done it, but its already become second nature that it feels like the stick is in the wrong place when it happens.

 

Yup!

When one is used to pushing the stick hard left and up when going to first gear in one's old Audi A4, pushing the gear shift the same way in this car results in a bit of a backwards treck. Not good. I've gotten to where I'm developing the gentle touch that this car requires and don't too often inadvertently go into reverse. I also, though, slightly release the clutch at a stop just to check .. just to assure myself that I won't plow into the guy behind me. I hope I don't screw up in a stress situation though where automatic 'hard to the left and up' response results in minor disaster. That would be embarrassing at best.

 

I find that it does indeed take a much lighter touch to actually feel the spring that wants to take it back to neutral from 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th. As said before, it's important to get used to recognizing that stronger spring on the way to Reverse.
And then there's going into 5th... a whole other animal....

 

i went into reverse on my test drive. my MA didnt think it was too funny

 

I have the same problem. Hate the stick layout. SInce Reverse and First are both entered from rest, they should be in opposite directions on the stick. SOmtimes I am surprised by a lisght and get rushed and hit reverse. It should be either down instead of forward or past the 5/6 gear. No way either of those would be hit by accident.

 

Yep - hit reverse once at a light but caught it before going more then an inch. Considered it a rookie mistake and that I've been running an automatic for the last 7 years. Now very cautious at stops and know that I'll get used to it soon enough.

Totally agree with Sin Mini's comments!

 

The layout and pressures on the R56 are exactly the same as my '94 BMW 325i, which is what I was driving before I bought the MINI. Fortunately I haven't had trouble in transitioning to the new car, but I confess I had problems with the BMW--invariably when reacting quickly to a green light or something similar. Just take your time and make sure you're in the right gear by testing in the first couple of inches. Pretty soon it will come naturally. After all, you've only had it for a day.

BTW, congratulations on your new car!

 

"practice makes perfect," they always say.... but regardless, its not a very 'safe' design. I wish the Mini 6-speed reverse was more like Mazda's where you actually have to push DOWN on the shifter and then move it it to left in order to engage reverse....

 

I have had no issues.. though this is my first stick..

To get into reverse I kinda double pound to the left and up.. to get into first I just push to the top left diagonally

 

If you have trouble staying out of reverse, you may find it easier, when you have time, to shift from nuetral to second and then straight up into first. Of course, you will also have to overcome the spring directing you to 3rd, but the consequences of mis-gearing will not be driving into the car behind you.

 

I've done it a couple of times but going into third from fourth when your shooting for fifth with some speed is worse ,did it yesterday ,luckly I barely let of the clutch when I noticed.There's a learning curve whith this stick take it slow.

 

I noticed that the book even tells you to push the shifter over hard right when aiming for 5th and 6th. Never saw that in an owner's manual before!