I find I have to wiggle the shifter forward and back a bit to get it to slide over that last little bit into reverse. I don't have too much trouble with hitting reverse instead of first. It's a 2010 S.

 

I had the "oops, that's reverse!" problem only a couple of times, usually when a light had changed and I found myself suddenly grabbing for 1st. If the stick was sprung toward the 1st/2nd gates instead of 3rd/4th, it wouldn't be that big a deal... you'd just push it forward. At any rate, it didn't take long to get a feel for it. At the time, just about everything on my MINI felt unfamiliar! I have mentioned the issue the two times I let friends drive the MINI, though. Better safe, etc.

Spridget

 

When I test drove my Mini, I asked if reverse had a lockout, because to me, it was way too easy to get into reverse.
I have an MGW short throw in my vette, which is a very stiff shifter. Also it has a reverse lockout so you can't throw it into reverse accidentally.
It's gonna take time to get used to the Mini.

 

I have learned to feel the resistance when going into reverse. I will also admit to hitting reverse at a couple of red lights when the car was new. I own another six speed car that has a lock out requiring you to pull up a ring around the bottom of the shift ****. I would rather the MINI have a lock out but you honestly learn to feel the resistance and have no problems what so ever.

 

I actually really like where the reverse is. I do admit it takes some getting use to, and you can't slam it to the left coming out of neutral at a light if you want to be in first.

I prefer the reverse to be so close to 1st gear because it makes changing gears during 3 points turns or anything else similar a bit quicker.

 

I have a an 03 Jaguar S-Type with manual 5spd and the reverse is in the same position that the one in the Mini is and it uses the same method to switch to reverse. This reverse on the Jag is the only kind of reverse i know so I'm glad that it's the same in the Mini. I think english brands have the reverse like that.

 

The first week I put mine into R instead of first once. Then I had a little trouble finding R sometimes. I find the best way to do it is this: getting into R requires me to "throw" my hand a bit, whereas for first I simply move the shifter. That's it... never had a problem once I got used to it.

 

I transitioned from a BMW, which has the same style reverse. I don't mind the lack of a real lockout, as I think the detent does a pretty good job of keeping wandering levers out of the reverse gate. And it encourages the driver to be gentle with the transmission, which is always a good thing. Just be thankful that you don't confuse 4th and 2nd -- the accidental shift from 5->2 in some of the mid-90s BMWs was known as the money shift, 'cause the damage you created is gonna cost a lot of money.