Hi everyone - just picked up a MCS 2007 with 30k miles on it and started driving it around a bit. I bought a manual so I'm trying to relearn how to drive stick properly again after 10 years of driving automatics.

Once I get the car going it's a blast to drive but it seems like going from dead stop to start I'm a bit jerky on it - I'm not stalling but I always seem to chirp the wheels. I've tried letting off the gas a bit but that always ends up with me stalling out.

Does anyone have any tips for taking the MCS from dead stop to 1st smoothly? Do you guys usually release the clutch, wait for the RPMs to drop and then ease onto the gas or do you do the pendulum, opposite foot movement?

Thanks all!

 

Congrats on the purchase.

I'm not sure, but it sounds like you're releasing the clutch too abruptly at the end. Try to smoothly release the clutch while smoothly pressing on the accelerator.

You'll get better as you drive more, especially given your past experience.

 

Right, it just takes a bit of practice.

Note that in Sport Mode, throttle response is much more abrupt and can be tricky to regulate until you're used to it. If you're using Sport Mode, you may want to try without for a while.

Congratulations on your MINI, by the way! They're like nothing else out there.

Spridget