Shifter, love it? hate it? don't care?

Indeed!

 

Well, MINI owners won't have the console shifter to complain about much longer. The Motoring File reports:
"The automatic transmission gear lever is now going to be on the dash and next to it the return of a twist to start rather than a button."

I've always wondered what to call our SE's starter. Is it a switch, a lever, or a button?

 

It's identical to the ICE models except color, but it doesn't start an engine, just turns on the SE. I'm no mechanical engineer, but isn't it a toggle since it snaps back to original position?

 

I was going to say momentary on toggle switch but you can flip up or press down and it still works. Does that makes it an "on-off-on momentary" toggle switch then?

 

Yes.

• It has a form factor of a toggle switch.
• It operates by moving it like a lever.
• The owner's manual calls it the "Start/Stop Button".

 

I had the same thought that it was software related, but haven’t had time to fiddle with BimmerCode. Since I haven’t noticed any odd driving behavior, I’ll skip the visit to the dealer for now. Let me know if the hardware replacement resolves the issue. Thanks!

 

In my simple advise if you play with bimercode you try outsmart BMW billion dollar manufacturers you not improve your Se much but you scrue up factory setting which is optimal for cheap car in 6 years my i3 I did nothing to improve a car and car was working perfectly is not ACE car to do upgrades make more powerful or else

 

My Clubman (R55) is in for service, and I've got an F54 Clubman loaner. The shifter feels annoying compared to the SE's, although my R55's shifter is fine. So I guess the SE's shifter is better than what MINI had before in the F generation, although I don't remember my 2015 Hardtop shifter being so bad.

 

Count me as a third data point of this issue. 1 month and 500 miles on my '23 SE Signature and I got the same error on startup this weekend, and it hasn't cleared in the 3 trips I've made since. Doesn't affect driveability but the reminder on startup and warning symbol on the dash are annoying. Curious as to whether the hardware is needed for a fix by the dealer. I also have the loose active shutters issue so at this point maybe I'll schedule a service call.

 

Just an update in case anyone else suffers from the 'Shift Unlock Button' error. It finally cleared for me after 5 days and about 15 trips. Didn't do anything to fix it, it just decided to start working normally again. So now I have to decide if I want to make a service call just for the active shutter fix.

 

Heed the ancient wisdom of Microsoft Word:

 

Mine finally cleared today without me taking any action. Took almost a month, but its back to normal operation.

 

A long flathead screwdriver and removing (2) 8mm bolts is all it takes.