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My clutch started squeaking when I release it, most often when in first using the "hill-assist" feature, but it has made the same noise a few other times in other gears, usually when under a considerable load (downshifting going up a switchback). 3K miles. Sounds like this happens to MINIs:but I, for one, sure don't like it! Going to talk to the dealer MON.
My clutch started squeaking when I release it...3K miles.
Well bad news. The clutch plate is burned through.....no obvious reason as to why, so, of course, MINI says it must be driver error. I did look at the clutch, no doubt the plate is completely used up. They showed me the throwout bearing still seems to be functioning, and said they see no other mechanical faults (hydraulics are OK, Hill Assist is working OK or so they say)......so their rep (who we can't talk to) says that's not warranty damage, insinuating that I burnt it up with poor shifting or "abuse" in less than 3K miles. I don't ride the clutch. Period, I don't do it. With the hill assist, there's no reason to use the clutch to hold it on hills. So for the life of me I can't see anything I've done that could've burnt through it that fast.
Called 1 866 ask MINI, and they are looking into it, but I can't say I feel too good about it. At first they didn't even want to start a case file, but at least they finally relented to look into it a little.
I've asked for all the parts, and I'm going to ask for a complete list of every mechanical fault they say they checked for.
The real shame is last week I was the best talking/walking MINI commercial you've ever seen. I love the car, love driving it, even went on a MINI fun run with the dealer a week and a half ago. Now, I don't feel that good about getting the right people to listen....that rep with the "power" is isolated from customer contact....that may be good for MINI, but not for a unhappy customer.
I worry that they haven't found out what is wrong, and even if I pay all or part of the $3K for the new clutch and DMF, I'll have the same problem again. But I've made up my mind to not let this ruin my fun with the MINI itself. But I will be soured with MINI/BMW, unless by some magic they find a mechanical reason and apologize profusely, which ain't too likely. Don't get me wrong everyone has been polite, but it was frustrating to drive an hour to talk to a service manager who really can't make the call. And the first person at 1 866 ASK MINI, pretty much followed the script - nothing they can do.......finally I was transferred to someone who started a case number and will look into it.
So if any of you can give me a list of things that could have caused the clutch to slip so much it will burn up in less than 3K miles let me know. I am an engineer (and so is my husband) so we are likely to become DMF clutch pseudo-experts in the very near future.
Well it looks like MINI USA is going to cover this 100% after all - guess they wanted to let us stew for awhile so we'd feel grateful or something.....
more info here:
