When maintaining speed on the highway, I notice the throttle is very sensitive. The slightest changes, virtually unnoticeable in some cases it seems, will cause a bucking effect. When I use the cruise control, the car is smooth.

Is this a normal Mini quirk or is there some issue with the DBW system, etc.?

 

you have drive by wire and its really sensitive. when you use the cruise you don't touch the pedal so the dme controls the amount of opening on the thottle body, thats why you don't feel the buckin'.

 

Thanks, I figured it was just the DBW sensitivity but wanted to make sure before the warranty expires.

 

I might be wrong about the "bucking" you're feeling but an engine damper (TSW, specifically) eliminated the bucking that I was experiencing