Does anyone with a six speed feel some play in the stick when it's in gear. Say you're in 1st or 2nd or any gear, can you move the stick sideways left and right about 1/4 to 1/2 an inch. Is this sloppiness normal?

 

Yeah, mine moves some too, but not 1/2 an inch.

 

mine moves around a little bit too. Probably in the same range as you beni.

 

Thanks for the feedback guys, I guess I feel better now though I wish it were tighter with less play.

 

Unfortunately cable shift mechanisms on entry level economy hatch's aren't really designed to be "Tight" .

 

I would have to agree with you. Tighter would be nicer. Haha that rhymed.

 

I don't think of a MINI as entry level. Try a Honda or Toyota for that. And the only economy is in the gas mileage.

 

It's a $22k vehicle we're talking about here... we have to keep that in mind when we notice these little "quirks."

 

Still not "entry level".

And I have never seen one go for 22k, unless it was used, or "just a Cooper".

 

These car's are definitely not entry level when in Europe they sell at a wopping 26350 E. In CAD dollars (because the American is now going down the toilet (jks) is 42012.54 (source xe.com). Trust me that's not a entry level car especially considering the fact that most of the STD that you get in the North American MINI are options in Europe ie. Sport Button.

 

+1 to this thread. Also noticed that the shift quality was noticably tighter and "notchier" when I first purchased the car vs. today (4k miles). Hopefully this is all normal with the Getrag.

...Wow this thread is OLD!

 

I would be disappointed with a "sloppy" gear shift. After 60k my shifter is still very tight and "notchy" on my gen 1. I would have it looked at if it didn't feel precise

 

Yeah, the dealer looked at it about a week ago and adjusted the shift linkage. I noticed a very slight improvement afterwards, but it still doesn't feel anywhere near as tight as when I first took delivery.

I've also had 2 different experienced manual drivers test drive my car and they both felt the same way - nothing wrong with it, just "broken in". I do get the 1/4" play on the shifter, though.

 

Funny that you mention Honda... I've driven Civics and Accords with manual transmissions that would put cars costing twice as much to shame.

As for the label of "entry level," I agree. That's a really subjective term... Entry level to what, exactly? A MINI isn't competing with anything else on the market; it's its own level.