[scotland67]

On my R56 S (8 weeks old, 1100 miles) I have always experienced what I would call a 2nd gear "snatch" trait. When changing from 1st-2nd gear, 2nd appears to be "snatched" into gear rather than being a smooth slot/change. It can also happen when changing into 3rd, but not as bad as into 2nd gear. It's mostly when car is cold (understandable?) but can also happen even when car is well-warmed up. I thought it may improve with run-in, but seeing as run-in is nearly complete it hasn't improved much? It means I am constantly "thinking" about changing gear, doing slowly/more deliberately, rather than just progressing through gears without a thought... and subsequently means I can't do quick/smooth shifts when pressing on.

Is this just a case of the "sticky gearbox" some people have, or do I have a problem? Think I might go back to Dealer and take the Demo S out for comparison?

[ru81]

I think I have the same problem on my R56 MCS (March 2007). I am now on 1200 miles and the car has done it from new. When I change gear into 2nd it can be quite notchy and stiff, and occasionally it does it when changing into 3rd. It definately hasn't got any worse since the car was new and if anything it may have got slightly better.

I know the 6 speed box is known for being notchy so I think it may just be yet another 'characteristic' of the new model!

If you try a demo model at the dealer let me know how you get on.

[ned78]

Mine crunches from 3rd to second.

[devaisl]

Mine had the same awkwardness going up from 1st to 2nd gear (hard to find 2nd gear and would also crunch sometimes) when I first got it in January - during the very cold weather it was terrible so I brought it over to the dealer and they did something to adjust it (sorry dont know what ).

The problem came back (not as bad) but has now gone completely (without a trip to the dealer) and have'nt had it happen for a few months. So I'd say that it is just something that will go away once you have clocked up a few thousand miles.

Saying all that tho' I'd still recommend bringing it to your dealer to have a look at if its really bugging you......

[CC07ERS]

I see all the gearbox problems & still nothing from Mini the silence is defening.

[Tiger_bay]

What you are describing is exactly the same problem that I am having with my Mini Cooper, and that others have also experienced. See the separate thread on 'Gearbox Problems/Rejection Agreed!! ' for the whole sorry saga (and see my latest post on that thread just yesterday)

After three test drives by my dealer they still can't identify the problem, but when I drive it the problem is still there. I am now going to test drive from cold (as that's when it always happens) it with one of their technicians. I'm getting tired of having to take the car in and also I am not enjoying driving my Mini - I dread each time I have to change up from 1st to 2nd.

[scotland67]

Tiger_bay... Thanks, I've read the latter posts in that forum...

But my problem is NOT really a NOISE/crunching problem, but more a general stubbornness of the box to move into/select 2nd gear (and occasionally 3rd). There is a definite subtle reluctance of the gear stick to move into 2nd, and when it does engage gear it's almost like the stick is "snatched" into gear rather than being a smooth slot into gear.

Not sure if it is entirely the SAME problem of that thread?

[popey]

Not good as my last R56 at about 1400 miles started to have the same problems.

[R60 Mike]

take it to the dealers and ask them to look at the clutch and fly wheel,

mine was the same and clutch went up in smoke after 2000 miles

best to get them to look at it and pull it apart,

Quote: Originally Posted by scotland67 (original)

On my R56 S (8 weeks old, 1100 miles) I have always experienced what I would call a 2nd gear "snatch" trait. When changing from 1st-2nd gear, 2nd appears to be "snatched" into gear rather than being a smooth slot/change. It can also happen when changing into 3rd, but not as bad as into 2nd gear. It's mostly when car is cold (understandable?) but can also happen even when car is well-warmed up. I thought it may improve with run-in, but seeing as run-in is nearly complete it hasn't improved much? It means I am constantly "thinking" about changing gear, doing slowly/more deliberately, rather than just progressing through gears without a thought... and subsequently means I can't do quick/smooth shifts when pressing on.

Is this just a case of the "sticky gearbox" some people have, or do I have a problem? Think I might go back to Dealer and take the Demo S out for comparison?

[Richard Korby]

Mine did this yesterday for about 15 min. and it was after it warmed up .I also have the 3rd. to 2nd. groning .My build date was 01/07 are all these problems with early build dates?

[devaisl]

Mine was Dec build so has 5 months-worth of driving clocked and rectified itself about 3 and half months ago.....

[chiefy]

From numerous new cars that I have had (various makes) I have found that it takes a few thousand miles for the gearbox to really settle in properly. My last car (an RX8) took about 5000 miles and they are notorious for having an awkward gearbox. Rather than force it, I took it easy and once 5000 miles had arrived it became a smooth as silk. I am treating my R56 the same way and it is getting smoother all the time. Whether it should be like this is another matter but that is my experience. The best gearboxes IMO are Toyota which are smooth and slick from new and just seem to stay that way. Even my mother doesnt seem to be able to wreck them.

[guppy]

yeah my gearbox does the same thing. i hate the noise it makes, hopefully it will go away. you think it damgesa the gearbox everytime it makes the noise?

[chiefy]

Take it easy for a while and "feel it in" - it will pay off.

[paulr]

Sorry to resurrect this thread But mine has been doing this since I brought it home. I've got about 6K on it. Could this be an R56 character trait? And if not, what can the techs do to make it smoother? I should note, 2nd upward is super smooth!

[scotland67]

Couple of months back, the Dealer Service technician said my car gearchange was "ok - no problem". I was not convinced, so asked to drive another MCS for comparison - they never managed to arrange one for me. So, recently went back to Dealer SALES and drove their demonstrator. The demo car was MUCH smoother on 1->2(->3) gearchanges than mine.

My car has 2500 miles and is approaching 5 months old - there has been no change since day 1 - ie. no "loosening/smoothing" up of gearchange yet.

I've booked it back in next week since I really am not happy with the 1->2(->3) gear change. Guess I'll be going for a drive with senior technician for him to re-assess. Will wait and see what happens.

[ru81]

Hi scotland67. Let us know how you get on as I was told it's just a characteristic of the gearbox. My car also has 2500 miles on the clock.

[paulr]

Yes please keep up posted

[scotland67]

Quote: Originally Posted by scotland67 (original)

I've booked it back in next week since I really am not happy with the 1->2(->3) gear change. Guess I'll be going for a drive with senior technician for him to re-assess. Will wait and see what happens.

My MCS was in at Dealer Service yesterday per above...

Deputy Workshop manager took car out for a drive, and said he then drove another MCS they had in to compare.... he says, "NO FAULT". I discussed this with him personally at length saying that I was not happy with this assessment, but basically got into the continuous loop of he's happy/I'm not.... he's happy/I'm not !

So car is booked in again in 2 weeks (for separate issue for fitting of passenger door window part that needed to be ordered)... so it's then going to be assessed by Workshop Manager (he was on holiday yesterday)... Although, somehow I can predict what he will say...?!!

I'll re-post in 2 weeks time with an update.

[Japper]

Quote: Originally Posted by scotland67 (original)

My MCS was in at Dealer Service yesterday per above...

Deputy Workshop manager took car out for a drive, and said he then drove another MCS they had in to compare.... he says, "NO FAULT". I discussed this with him personally at length saying that I was not happy with this assessment, but basically got into the continuous loop of he's happy/I'm not.... he's happy/I'm not !

So car is booked in again in 2 weeks (for separate issue for fitting of passenger door window part that needed to be ordered)... so it's then going to be assessed by Workshop Manager (he was on holiday yesterday)... Although, somehow I can predict what he will say...?!!

I'll re-post in 2 weeks time with an update.

Which dealer are you using ?.