What's the deal with the flywheel problem? I have had an issue with the car since I bought the car it and have brought it to the dealer multiple times. So long story short, since they didn't ask and I clearly didn't give them enough info, they blew me off. Now that the car has 46,000 miles on it and is 5 years old - miraculously, they figured out what it was last week. I have read posts and see it seems to be a common issue. The Orlando Mini dealer wants $3500 to repair it - not the transmission - the flywheel repair. What is that all about? I have owned 10 cars over the last 20 years (I own an SUV beyond the mini) and have never had a car transmission issue under 100,000 miles. Is this something I should worry about? Or is this just an annoying rattle?

I will say this ... while under warranty - I did have a coolant leak, an oil leak, and a variety of other annoying odd repairs. I'm not sure if they just used cheap parts or didn't work all the bugs out.

I'm disappointed with my purchase but will say I love this car!

 

If you have documentation of those visits for same problem while under warranty and their service manager is no help, I would write a letter to MINIUSA. That being the case they should step up and perform a "good will" repair for your MINI.

Good Luck.

PS: My throwout bearing makes a rattle sound when parked at idle. But if I release the clutch verrrrry slowly while stopped I dont hear it as bad or at all. It makes that sound because it's made of plastic and when releasing the clutch quickly there is not enough presure to seat it.....is that the rattle sound you are having issues with ?

 

When the car is cold, it sounds like a valve is knocking. If I push in the clutch, the knocking stops. When I pull out the clutch, it does it again. It seems by the time I drive to where ever, when I get there, the knocking has either stopped or is barely detectible. But ... if I park it and it gets cold. Same thing again. Its like it rattles when its cold and not when its warm/hot. Very weird.

 

Also ... I did contact mini usa - at first they said they would help with "something" but did nothing based on the dealer's comments. At my first oil change I complained about it. At my second visit, they fixed an oil leak and a leak by the thermostat plus a couple of minor things. So I assumed it was fixed. To my surprize, it was still there. On my 3rd visit, less than 3 years old and at 31900 miles, I brought it up again. Still they found nothing - car was still warm from the drive. They told me they couldn't reproduce it. So once again, I sound nuts to them. So last week I went to the dealer for an oil change. Car was warm from the drive - so no noise. I tell them to let it get cold ... and miraculously ... it did it for them. Maybe they should have asked me WHEN I heard the noise? Very disappointed with them. I wasn't looking for a freebee but a fair price. Long story short ... because I waited 2 years to complain again ... negates all my prior complaints.