So I just test drove a R60S at mini of San Diego. Liked the car a lot with the exception of the horrible clutch feel. Basically, there was none. It felt like there wasn't even a spring on the clutch. Almost like an on off switch. Maybe it's something I'd have to get used to, but has anyone else noticed this? Maybe MINI changed the clutch or clutch spring for the 11 model years?

 

I've either gotten used to it or it has gotten stiffer. Almost 4000 miles and love the car.

 

clutch gets stiffer after early mile breakin. i did notice it early on though. great now

 

I honestly thought I was crazy.... I have had a really hard time with this clutch... Although it is getting better... I've driven a clutch or over 15 years and this is the first one that I've ever had a tough time learning... I seriously killed it at least 10 times in a month..

 

I put it in sport mode and it was better. 4000 miles and still I sometimes stall it.

Still I like that it is a lighter clutch than the R56

Bill

 

I also discovered that the sport mode helps me greatly!

 

I'll have to try the sport mode..............was killing it all the time intially. Does seem better, but wasn't sure if I was just getting used to it, or if it really was different.

 

I'm happy you say that - At least I'm not alone!

 

I too was getting annoyed when I kept killing it and like you, I have been driving a stick for many years. I think I finally have the feel for it, but now when I switch over to drive my JCW I tend to go the other way and rev it too much when I let up on the clutch.

MsBrit

 

+1 Having to really concentrate on this Clutch. Hoping someone behind me doesn't rearend me when I stall it out.

 

I'm coming from a 9 year old Jeep on its factory clutch at 140,000 miles, so my standards are probably low, but when I test drove a CM, I loved the lighter clutch with the shorter throw. Of course, every normal clutch is going to be lighter and have less throw than an old light truck clutch, so like I said, my standards weren't too high.

My Jeep's clutch has gotten a bit finicky about going into 1st, so maybe that's why the CM felt pretty forgiving to me.

Anyway, I loved the relatively sporty clutch and the fact that it was fairly a tight window to engage the gear (not sure what the technical term for that is).

 

Is anyone experiencing problems with the clutch in terms of it overheating or burning with normal (and proper) usage?

My wife and I have been driving manuals for 20+ years so driving a manual is not new to us. Our Countryman has now had several instances where the clutch starts emitting a fairly intense burning smell. Working with the dealer but they won't tear it down to inspect the clutch without approval from MINI. We're convinced that something is not right.

 

When I went to buy my CM, I saw one on the lift. I asked my MA, and he said the guy had burned out the clutch by standing on it in a line of traffic on a steep hill. He said the guy just balanced the car on the clutch for a while and burned it.

But that, combined with your story, makes me wonder if there isn't a design flaw of some kind. Perhaps the extra weight is too much for the clutch? Especially if it's the same clutch as the standard sized MINIs?

 

Is clutch replacement covered under the maintenance program?
Brakes are.

 

My MA said that the repair would be covered under either maintenance or warranty.

 

We do not ride the clutch as you have described. However, on of the incidents where the clutch started to smell was indeed on a steep ramp exiting an underground parking garage and having a line of vehicles ahead of me. In that case, the clutch was pushed down and held down (along with the brake) and gently released each time we needed to go forward up the hill.

 

Just picked one up yesterday with a manual and have to say that this clutch does leave something to be desired. Uptake is not good from rest when engaging in first; other than that, though, shifting at 4-5K rpm gives seamless shifts.

I am going to try and find out if there is a clutch delay valve and see if I can have it removed/bored out. I did that with a 2001 540i and that made a huge difference with it.

 

Keep us posted, I'd be interested to see if there is some sort of adjustment!