Hi all,

I have a 2007 MCS with around 37k on it that I picked up in February. I've noticed that shifting (that actual process of moving the shifter from one gear to another) is not a very smooth process, but rather it seems that I hit "notches" going from one gear to another. The car I learned manual on (Toyota Camry) was like butter - just a smooth sensation as I moved the shifter.

Is (1) this normal, and (2) can I make it any better?

Thanks guys,
Bill

 

Yes the shifter is normally notchy.

Every modification I am aware of for the shifter will just make it more notchy.

 

Why would they make a transmission that wasn't smooth to operate?

On a side note - every once in a while, there is a shift where there was no resistance, which makes me imagine what driving the MINI could be like if shifting was better. That makes it that much worse for me!

Thanks for your response.

 

I guess the best answer would be:

For the same reason that our suspension isn't bouncy and comfortable...it takes away from the sportiness. I find that my MCS shifter has a positive and engaging feel. Definitely not the notchiest shifter I've ever used though

 

Make sure that you aren't 'pulling' the gear into position. Proper shifting technique is to 'push' or help it glide into position. I have noticed that if you guide it instead of having a firm grip then it is much better/easier to shift. I make sure to have my hand cupped over the **** so that my fingers or palm can push it into gear. This way the stick takes the most natural route. (I love all the innuendoes )

Hopefully this helps a bit. It will still be notchy, but compared to other cars I've driven it is very direct. A 2007 Mazda 3 is smooth, but there was far too much play and sometimes I didn't know which gear I was going into. My father's '67 Mustang...now THAT is notchy!

 

With an NM short shift adapter I naturally have notchier shifts, but I agree that some days (independent of ambient temp, engine temp or transmission temp) there seems to be a lot less resistance.

 

This is what makes me wonder if there's something (different grease, transmission fluid, etc) that can make it a smoother feeling?

I've never driven another MINI, so I'm wondering if mine is the same as every else's, or worse.

 

The 2 first gen MINIs i test drove were notchy... i will report back on the R56 when i go test drive it in a week or 2.

 

weird, my 2009 is incredibly smooth to move through the gears

 

I imagine some will think their Mini is notchy, some smooth and some in between. It probably has a lot to do with what you have driven in the past and what your expectations are of the car. Like the OP said, he learned on a Camry that was smooth as butter.

I like my Mini, I find it easy to drive, not notchy at all.

On the other end of the spectrum, I recently had an F350 that shifted as smooth as moving a stick through a box of rocks.

 

For me, notchy means precise, sporty shifting. Smooth like butter means sloppy and vague.

 

__________ is nice if it means precise glide motion, without any sloppyness, precise stops without any vagueness, a little resistance , that gives you the proper feedback,
the holygail is the proper "snick" into the gear

 

I would highly recommend the helix short shifter.