Hey guys, This is my first Mini and also my first Manual car. I have noticed that sometimes the car hesitates to go into the 2nd gear. I will be driving along in the first and then I'll push the clutch down and try to put it in the 2nd gear, and it almost feels like the shifter is getting caught on something, but with a little force it goes in. The weird part is if it was getting caught on something then it should happen all the time, but this happens about 90% of the time, rest of the time it lets me put into 2nd gear without any problems..

Has anyone else seen this problem?? Or Is there something wrong I am doing considering this is my first manual car and I am still trying to learn how to drive it.

 

thashef,

Honestly it is probably just the way you are shifting. Probably putting to much pressure sideways on the stick while trying to get it into gear.

But if you are uncomfortable with the way it shifts take it to the dealer and take a ride with your SA. See if it happens to them most of the time. If it does then have them fix it. If it doesn't then ...

 

Our new Clubman S is the same way, it will sometimes even grind when shifting from 1-2; however, it only really happens when the transmission is cold. Just take it easy and let it sort of slide into 2nd...

Ours only has about 700 miles on it, so if it is still happening around the 2500 mark I'll take it in to get looked at.

-Michael

 

Typical problem with second gen MINIs equipped with manuals. Get it looked at under warranty.

 

i have this issue too (and second gear just seems weird in other ways too--the engagement point seems much lower on the clutch than other gears). I guess I'll ask for it to be checked out when I go in for my first oil change sometime in the distant future.

 

Sounds like bad synchros or a balky shift rod. Get it fixed under warranty...