Don't worry. Was experiencing the same issue and had to get a remedial lesson from my friendly MINI dealer: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...tick-feel.html

 

We choose to drive Auto's due to PDX Traffic, but this is how I have always driven a Manual. I'd rather burn the Brakes than "BURN" a Clutch.

 

Well I read the link and it's BS. The synchros are just fine. You won't break them, but they will wear out a bit faster. It's no different than downshifting from 6-5, 5-4, 4-3, 3-2. You have to get the input shaft turning at the same speed as the higher gear. That's what synchros do. If you want to eliminate wear, learn to double declutch. (double clutch, and extension of heel and toeing... or learning to properly drive a manual car.)

Ready to downshift?
Clutch in, shift to neutral
Clutch out, blip throttle
Clutch in, downshift to lower gear
clutch out. motor on.

The object of blipping the throttle is to get the input shaft spinning at the same speed as the previously selected gear pair.

If you do it correctly you don't even need to use the clutch the second time. It will slide right into the lower gear at the correct rpm.

That's a really neat thing about a newer DSG gearbox. It's always got 2 gears engagedon a shaft, moving at the same speed. it just disengages one clutch, and engages another.

 

Isn't double clutching archaic and unnecessary with a modern synchronized transmission?

I do rev match every time (Clutch in, blip throttle, shift, clutch out.) for very smooth downshifts. I don't see any point in double clutching though.

 

For the most part, double-clutching is unnecessary with a modern gearbox. It can still help a little bit by reducing the amount of work that your synchros have to do. But the difference in overall transmission life span is probably rather small over all.

It is entirely possible to shift without using the clutch, but it is not recommended procedure. Unless you are absolutely perfect at matching revs, you will be putting extra wear on the transmission. And nobody is that perfect every time. If you're racing and can accept extra wear and tear on the gearbox, it can be worthwhile--but for driving on the street it is not.

 

That will get the engine to the same speed as the wheels, but does nothing about synchro wear.


And while modern synchros are really very good, properly double declutching will eliminate ALL wear on the synchros. (if the two gears are spinning at the same speed, the synchros really have nothing to do.). Besides, having driven old formula cars and race cars with dog boxes, I kind of take pride in being able to do it. And it sounds cool.

So, do you have to? No, but it's an enjoyable thing to learn.