[Paul Burchell]

Hi All,

I'm new to this forum, but not new to Mini's. I have just bought my third in 3 years (Mini One). I just want to ask other members if they have any thoughts about the reverse gear position on the new 6 speed gearbox. Is it just me who has a problem with this? Also, do you find that the new indicator arm either doesn't cancell properly or indeed, cancells too soon?

I'd appreciate other comments on this.

Thanks.

Paul.

[minicabrio]

Hi Paul,

Welcome to MINI2!!

The location of the reverse on the six-speed box is where it has been since it was introduced in 2002 (to the left of 1st). Only the old five speed boxes (no longer used) had reverse in the bottom-right location. It takes a bit of getting used to, but generally works well.

The new wipers also take some getting used to. Half-touch them up or down, and the indicator will flash a few times then cancel - ideal for lane changes on motorways! A full normal press up or down will see the indicator come on in the usual way.

Hope that helps -

Jon

[rec]

hey, grats on the new MINI :]

the reverse gear never poses a problem for me, i've never dropped it into reverse instead of first. needless to say i've put it in first instead of reverse tho :P what problem are you experiencing ?

also, the indicators have 2 settings by default. if you just flick them up they will blink 3 times and auto cancel. if you push them up all the way they will stay on. this 3 blink option can be turned off in the setup through the stalk (details in the manual). i only ever use my 3 flash indicators, i dont think i've used the constant setting before. if i need the indicator on longer than 3 flashes, i just hold it with my finger. this comes from my previous car where my indicators would only stay on when i held the stalk :P

hope that answers you questions mate :]

[Paul Burchell]

Hi, Thanks for that. The tripple flash indicator is not a prob. I leave it turned off.

What I do find is that the indicator doesnt always cancelled properly after a turn. Its like the wheel needs to go further! Also, when you dont want it to cancell, it does. I'm finding this very irriatting.

The reverse gear is a big problem for me. I have put it into reverse quite a few times by mistake, and I'm not being particularly heavy handed. Also, quite a few other people who have driven my Mini have done exactly the same thing.

If nobody else is having this happen, then maybe its a problem with my car. That's what I need to find out! Thats the value of sites like this.

Thanks for your help.

Paul. PS. I'm a driving instructor, so quite a few people get to drive my car!!

[Snowie]

I have found that the detent spring on the R56 is weaker than the R53 so it is easier to select reverse (according to dealer this was as a result of complaints on R53 of it being difficult) thus if your are a little too heavy handed then reverse instead of first is a possibility.

I would get the dealer to check it out and also have a test drive in another car to see if you can spot any difference

Alan

[FergusM]

My wife struggles to get mine into reverse.... can't see it being done by accident on my ccar at least.

I am kinda getting used to indicators..use the 3 flashes things a lot but find my wifes VW Shavan setup much nicer / easier to use and it has similar functionality.

[adam_Randell]

Hi Paul. I think the reverse hggear position is stupid, i almost reversed into someone the otherday pulling off - thinking i was is 1st!

Quote: Originally Posted by FergusM (original)

I am kinda getting used to indicators..use the 3 flashes things a lot but find my wifes VW Shavan setup much nicer / easier to use and it has similar functionality.

I like the '3 click' indicator, i have used it in my mums mercedies, and that is rubbish! very difficult to use, the mini one i think is very user friendly.

[stuvoi]

I've had the 6 speed gearbox in both R53 and R56 Mini's, so the layout's not changed.

My wife says it takes a bit of "Arm power" to put the gear into reverse, so it's not something she'd ever slip into by accident.

If you are worrying about reverse versus 1st, could get parking sensor?

In terms of the indicators I am always doing indicate left / indicate right / left / right and so on.

I think if you swear at them loudly enough they turn off

Stu

[ROCKY56]

Quote: Originally Posted by stuvoi (original)

In terms of the indicators I am always doing indicate left / indicate right / left / right and so on.

I think if you swear at them loudly enough they turn off

Stu

LOL - me too! the swearing does work tho

[Adrian_T]

Please dont worry about the Reverse Gear Position.

Its honestly not a problem...

Unlike the Citroen C4 that my girlf has. Its Revers is where 6th should be and has NO dtent spring that I can tell. Needless to say I have had a few nasty Crunches when trying to get a move on. Just very pleased she was never in the car with me and does not read this website!!!!!

[spiney]

Quote: Originally Posted by stuvoi (original)

I've had the 6 speed gearbox in both R53 and R56 Mini's, so the layout's not changed.

I have had both, and the R56 is a little easier to get into reverse, but I don't remember ever doing it accidentally, and certainly never when changing down from a higher gear (I think I would remember the outcome of a move like that... ).

As for the indicators, I had big problems at first, indicating right, then left as I tried to cancel the right, then right as I tried to cancel the unwanted left, etc., but I have it sorted now. It just needs a gentle touch. If you are indicating right, you cancel it by going to the "three blinks" left position and letting go. If you push it all the way left, you will start indicating left. Mine seem to cancel pretty well, the only times I have problems are on slip roads (off ramps for the US contingent) that have a large radius curve on them. In those cases, it doesn't cancel as early as I would like, and I end up doing it manually.

I like the three blinks, it's very convenient and just enough for a quick lane change.

[Spamini]

When I first got my new mini I had to use 2 hands just to get it in reverse! It's a little bit easier now after 3500 miles.

[LizzyG]

I found reverse really awkward at first, I remember the day I collected it, the salesman just said where reverse was but didn't show me how to select it so when I got home I tried to reverse into a parking space and kept getting first gear. Got reverse in the end and now it is fine, easy to select but I'd never select it by mistake as you have to reach across quite far to get it.

The indicators do take a bit of getting used to, but mine cancel fine.

[Feline]

My OH told me a good trick for cancelling indicators without doing the left right left thing!

So when indicating right and wanting to cancel it, just flick the stalk up again and it will cancel it, same in opposite to cancel left - just flick it down.

Feline

[essack]

Hi there all.
I just bought a new mini 2 weeks ago. what a car, or shall i say GO KART. Th e reverse gear i snot a problem for me at all because my previous car was a BMW, same reverse position.
I tend to agree that the wiper controls take time getting use to.
Anyway im loving it.
cheers

[coopersooper]

it personally bugs me on the left hand drives, right hand drives dont bother me too much! but there isnt really anywhere else to put it. having a lift and shift is a bad idea

[zebramini]

i must admit reverse did take a bit of getting used to. Mine pops out sometimes.

[steveng]

Hi Paul,
I thought it was just me. I've had my Mini for two months and at traffic lights I sometimes put it in reverse. I hate the turn signals.

[caesar]

Selecting reverse is no problem provided you remember to push the stick Downward > Across to the LEFT > and UP. To select neutral > flick the stick down and to the Right.

The Handbook does not explain this very well.....that's what I thought anyway!

[EBMCS03]

Thats the only place where reverse should be... to the left of 1st... I will not buy a transmission with R in any other place.