[QUOTE=spaeth;3715286...I have had bad clutch smell 4 times over the last year. Once backing out of our steep drive. I have now had to modify how I get out of our drive so the clutch does not slip.

The other 3 times have been at the ski area parking lot trying to get in and out of the parking lot in deep snow. You can't really feather this clutch at all without it slipping excessively...[/QUOTE]

Did you share your four events with your local service department, establishing a record of issues? If not, you need to document what you've experienced - it will help the local crew be your advocates.

(I emailed my SA every time I had a problem.) When I asked if the new part number was available for installation, my Service Manager went to bat for me with MINI USA, got the part, and installed it. There are reports on NAM of a Service Bulletin on the clutch - that would help.

Good luck.

 

Re-post from another thread:
I really do love my dealership and service department...
Brought up my concerns with my 2011 clutch and the continued need to pay more attention to the clutch that the enjoyment of the mini. After seeing a new driver, my daughter trying to negotiate the 2011 clutch...impossible.
So I wrote/emailed my concerns, had brought them up previously but not on a regular same seriousness basis....Here's my reply from this morning.

Good morning Fred,

Of course I know you by now sir, your loyalty to the brand and dealership, as well as your intentions would never be questioned here. J

Your clutch isn’t a matter of you qualifying for a new one or not, I just need a specific concern to diagnose in order to perform the swap. You had mentioned that you still feel a sputtering and jerkiness from your clutch, I will have our techs look at that as the concern and push for the clutch replacement as the remedy.

The difference with the new clutch is a thicker pad on the clutch disc itself that is also more heat resistant. I have noticed a significant change between your and the 2013 model year.

I will update your appointment.

Have a good day in the meantime!

Brandon

Keep It MINI!

I am Stoked
I'm scheduled for the 17th

 

To keep you guys updated. I took our 2012 in today and let them know about smelling clutch on 4 different occasions. The lady asked if it would be worth a test drive and I told her not really since the clutch only slipped under certain scenarios. She said they would look into and I just got a call that they are going to replace it under warranty with the new design. We are at 12,000 miles. No arguing and no insinuating I don't know how to drive. I am impressed. Thanks for all of you who fought this before and are making it easier for us later to the game. This is taking place with MINI of Portland OR by the way.

thanks
Craig

 

Great to here
Seems as if Mini is finally easing up on this particular issue...I still believe it all starts with the service department's/dealerships and how supportive they should be...and how by the book they need to adhere to. There shouldn't be a need to go to Corp. Mini USA....if so, your dealership should be doing that on your behalf. All though, we know that hasn't been the case for many mini goers out there. Nothing but ++ for New Country Mini
Week from today I should be free wheeling with a new clutch.....

 

Got my new clutch put in today. Feels like a new car. I cannot believe the difference it made.

 

A few thousand miles after getting the '2013' clutch, it's a little rougher starting out that the buttery smooth first starts, but it's still a different motoring experience with the improved design.

 

Hi ghamma,

Are you in SF? I may have seen you on the road (do you have a green ball on your antenna?)

I have an All4 manual 2012, and I curse the clutch every day (1st gear specifically). I was going to go into the service guys (I'm at 13 months), and I was wondering if you had any specific advice on dealing with SF Mini re: clutch replacement?

My biggest concern is that I have very low mileage on the odometer (4,200) and they're going to hold that against me (even though the stutter and stalls have been going on since day one and have nothing to do with wear and tear).

Another question, does the new clutch change the RPM requirements to start the car from a dead stop? When I first learned to drive a manual (35 years ago), I learned to ease the clutch into first gear at low RPMs and that technique served me well in terms of life-of-clutch. The All4/manual seems to require engaging 1st gear at 1,900 - 2,000 rpms or more, even on flat ground. Any lower and I risk a stall (if the wheel is turned or on an incline) or I get that f-in stutter. Even after 1 year, I still find myself under-revved all the time. It's even worse with the A/C on.


Any advice (from anyone) for dealing with my disappointment is greatly appreciated.

Barry

 

Hi Barry,

I would take them for a drive and show what you're experiencing. If that is not enouhg, take the car to another dealer. There are plenty in the Bay Area. I happen to like East Bay BMW. although they stated my clutch did not exhibit signs of wear or failure during the last service visit. Driving the manual All4 in San Francisco is impossible.

 

-ghamma

 

Thanks for the info,

It sounds like the new part will make a big difference.

Just to be clear, was it 100% covered by your warranty? Or did you pay for the part? If it was 100% covered, did the dealership have to justify it in some way (for example - as a safety issue) or based on customer satisfaction?


Thanks,
Barry

 

As I recall, my dealership tried to get the part (it showed up as available to be ordered in their system), which apparently sent up some flags within MINI-USA. There was a conversation between the dealership and their MINI contact. The decision was made to install the new part as an experiment to see if it would deal with the reported problems in that car. While the car was apart, the dealership offered to also install a replacement flywheel if I wanted to purchase one (I didn't take them up on it - the point was to change just the clutch to find out if it fixed the problem). I didn't pay for the part or the installation. I reported back the operation following the new part installation - big difference.

 

I just had the conservation with the Service Manager yesterday. I did file a complaint with Mini corporate but that lead to more frustrations. I explained that it is a safety issue when I need to switch cars with my wife. When you drive the car every day, you know all of the faults. The inconsistencies with the clutch concern me every time she drives the car because of the take off issues. While the upgraded clutch is not an outright admission the original clutch was not up for the job, it really is. I expressed that I like the car but I am left with two chooses. Upgrade the clutch or sell it. He agreed to replace it at no charge.

The other Barry

 

Anyone replaced the clutch in the Toronto area without hassle?

 

Quick update: My husband is the originator of this thread. We noticed a problem with the clutch within weeks of getting our CM All4 in Feb 2011. We never test drove the car...ordered it before they came to dealers.

Finally, after posting on any site we could ( and being accused of not knowing how to drive a stick... some of those accusers on this site who now have also gotten their clutch replaced!), writing numerous complaints to MINI USA and car magazines and flooding forums, we FINALLY have gotten our clutch replaced with the new version last week, no cost. Seems MINI is now replacing the clutch.

It's only been a week, but the car feels entirely different. We are happy they replaced the clutch, but the past 2 years have been so frustrating in dealing with this problem that I'm not sure this is enough to keep us as MINI customers. Feels like too little too late. Shame because the MINI's fun factor is hard to replicate. Just wasn't so fun dealing with this smelly clutch for 2 years.

Good luck to all those smelly clutches out there!

 

I asked my SA today if we could get the ball rolling on trying to have my clutch replaced. We set a date next week, and he said they would get it done! I asked if it would be the new part number, and he went in the back and brought up the parts kit, showed it to me, and put my name on it! Hopefully next Tues-Wed I will be able to update my signature!

 

This is an interesting thread, and my experiences match everyone else's.

I got my Countryman S All4 in June 2012, the 6 speed manual being one of the selling points to me. I've been driving stick shifts for 30 years, and have never owned an automatic. My first car was a Mini 1275GT back in England, and the Countryman does a good job of reproducing that fun driving experience while adding space and all wheel drive.

Fast forward 10,00 miles of driving, to ski season. I'm driving home to Denver from Summit county on a Sunday in March, and we encounter Tunnel Metering. What this means is 90 minutes of hill starts on a slippery Interstate from Silverthorne to the Eisenhower Tunnel. By the time we reached the top I was thinking "Wow, the semis around us really stink". The next week, same Tunnel Metering again, except this time it became more and more obvious that the stink was our car, to the point that it was filling with fumes and I was starting to wonder if the kids were safe.

We reached the Metering lights and were in line to enter the tunnel, at which point I was feeling relief at reaching the top, and hoping the end of the hill starts might spell the end of the problem, and we might limp home if the clutch could cool somehow (you can "freewheel" for long periods down from the tunnel). The light turns green, the car shudders, and we come to a halt inside the tunnel. That made me very popular. The official Eisenhower Guy in a Truck came to our rescue and pushed us through the tunnel, where we waited for 90 minutes in a blizzard for a tow truck.

Come Monday I go to the dealership (Schomp Mini in Littleton) to clear out the car, talk to the SA, and get the loaner. At first he's hinting at the potential that it's my fault, bad driving etc. I mention 30 years of driving manual cars, and suggest he might be mistaken. Then he mentions that clutches are on back order, which gets my suspicions up. Then he mentions new improved clutches are coming out. I of course respond (pleasantly), "So, what you're saying is that, coincidentally to Mini running out of clutches because of having to replace them, and randomly deciding to make them stronger, I've burned mine out because I'm bad at shifting?" I noticed another employee stifling a giggle and wandering off.

I came home and googled Mini Countryman Clutch and found all the reviews and issues. A week later I had a replacement clutch, under warranty.

Another 2400 miles or so go by, and last Saturday (April 20th) we're in Parker Colorado (flat compared to the Summit County roads) for my son's lacrosse game. We jump into the car after the game to head to his soccer game, and the car stalls. I start up again, and can tell something is wrong, as the car will barely go into gear. About a mile later as I'm trying to limp to a 7 Eleven to call the truck again we peter out to a halt. Luckily my in-laws were at the game too so they were able to take my son to his game, while I waited another 90 minutes for the truck.

We got to Schomp at around 4:30, during some sort of Mini Cancer event, and I found the same SA and told him I was back, having been stranded again. It was at this point that I found out that the replacement clutch was one of the old, inadequate ones, and that Mini USA had apparently insisted Schomp use up the old ones. The replacement one was worse than the first one, and would smell from time to time when I backed up onto my driveway - a massive climb of about 8 inches. Fortunately we hadn't encountered any tunnel metering coming back from Summit County since the new clutch. The SA assured me he would get me a new clutch this time.

Having read this very useful thread I'm going to head home and check the work order to verify that the part number is the new one (21-20-8-606-067). The car will pull away while idling, but only just.

At this point I'm very frustrated and dissatisfied with Mini USA if they insisted on putting another useless part in my car after the last one left me and my two young children stranded in a blizzard.

I complained to the SA and asked him to have the boss call me - nobody has called. I lodged a complaint with Mini USA, but have little to no expectation of any response.

 

I brought my 2012 in for annual maintenance and expressed my unhappiness with the clutch (smell and rough start).

I brought a few reputable reviews on the clutch with me, to help make my case, as well as the new part number (just to be sure that I wasn't going to get another smelly clutch).

A service guy test drove with me and easily replicated the clutch smell (in fact, he engaged 1st gear at a much higher rpm than I normally would and, as a result, created much more smell in a shorter time than I would have).

There was an acknowledgment that they had replaced worn clutches on other Countryman with very low mileage and they truly did seem to sympathize and want to advocate for me. In short, after inspecting the existing clutch, they have agreed to replace it with the new clutch model.

2 thumbs up to Mini of SF and to all of the Countryman owners that have fought the good fight and made it easier for me to get some satisfaction!

Now let's hope the new clutch fixes the problem!

 

Does anyone know about the revised programming for the electronic throttle control that is supposed to accompany the new clutch part? I was asking the service rep about this, and they did not have a bulletin where that information could be found.

Thanks!

 

I've read a few posts and they all seem to be manual transmissions. Has this issue happened with automatics? I'm at 9K miles and on cold mornings or from a dead stop I am noticing I press the gas without much response and then suddenly the car lurches and takes off. Is this the problem everyone is reporting?

 

I'm pretty sure this problem is manual specific, I'm not sure about any automatic transmission issues though.

Anyway - I just checked my service work order, and apparently I do have the new clutch this time:
Installed 21 20 8 606 067 :ET CLUTCH PARTS
Installed 21 20 7 595 577 :TWIN MASS FLYWHEEL

"Removed and replaced flywheel, clutch, pressure plate, and throw out bearing".

I also got 6 new ISA screws as well (lucky me).

I have greater hopes of the issue being resolved, thanks to the part number provided in this discussion thread - thanks folks.

 

Ichabod,

Any mention of reprogramming the electronics to go along with the new part?

The press release back in Nov. mentions an update to the 'electronic throttle control', and I'm wondering if that is meant to help make the takeoff smoother as well. My service person was not aware of any new programming.

 

Aren't all turbo/automatic cars kind of like this? I remember hating my dad's Volvo SUV because it did exactly this. Between a little turbo lag and the slushiness of the torque converter, there's lag during which you push your foot further and further down, and then the car jumps into action once the engine spins up.

The particular problem in this thread relates to the clutch, and there's no clutch in the Countryman's automatic transmission.

However, that's not to say that your issue isn't a problem. If the lag is happening on cold days and/or is extreme, there could be a problem with your automatic transmission.

 

We discussed that with the first clutch replacement. I had read about new software for the clutch and asked, and what my SA told me was that they update the car's operating system software (my phrasing, don't remember his) every time it's in for a service. I don't remember seeing anything on the work order either time about it though.

 

Sorry to resurrect an older thread but I'm an R60 S All4 owner since October 2012 and I hate my clutch. It was a brand new car, ordered fresh with the newest 2012 models. I live in NJ and mentioned it on several occasions to Mini of Monmouth to no avail. They told me that it wasn't covered by my warranty. This didn't surprise me because sales and service at Mini of Monmouth seemed shady at best from the moment I signed the paperwork on the order.

Sometime in June (2013), I realized I was going to roll over my 36,000 mile limit and lose my coverage of all things mechanical... so I asked Princeton Mini to look at it. Wow, what a difference. Not only did the service department roll out the red carpet and actually speak to me like an adult, they were eager to help me with the clutch issue. A week later, my car felt better than it did on day 1.

Impressions:
- The (dis)engagement was lower to the floor and felt more like other manuals I've owned (97 240sx, 04 Forester XT, 05 WRX to name a few).
- The weird, questionable, shuddering engagement was gone when I lifted my foot.
- There is now a noticeable "blip" in the engine RPM when the clutch pedal begins its ascent from the floor.
- Possible placebo effect, but somehow it even seemed faster (perhaps the maps were cleared during the reflash?)

So is it finally the awesome car I thought it was all along? NO.

After 2 months of driving it to and from work (mostly commuter miles up the Garden State Parkway), the (dis)engagement point in the pedal swing is all the way at the top. There's a noticeable shudder when I begin to apply any pressure to the pedal from a rested position. And I've smelled burning clutch material at random times during gear changes at cruising speeds. Additionally, that "blip" in the RPM that I mentioned... it seems to happen at weird times now... like before the clutch reengages, and sometimes well after engagement - very random.

Sadly I'm beyond my 36,000 mile limit and considering contacting Mini USA on this one.

TL:DR; Mini Monmouth (NJ) sucks. Princeton Mini rules! My clutch was replaced after 34.5k miles and the new one is almost as crappy after about 2 months.

 

Kaboom - sounds like the first clutch replacement was with the original clutch parts rather than the upgraded parts.

Since our second clutch replacement, using the new upgraded parts, we have had no issues whatsoever. No smelly clutch even under heavy stop-and-go use.

I strongly encourage you to contact MINI USA directly. Insist they replace they clutch. Be relentless if necessary but hopefully they will accommodate you without much ado. BMW is finalizing settlement on class action related to MINI CVT issues so maybe are still in giving mood

MINI committed a violation with the inferior clutch, they know it, and for the most part seem to be correcting it. Good luck with your endeavor and please post your results.