R60 Please: spare yourself, and don't buy a MINI (especially a Countryman!)
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,147
Likes: 45
From: Philly Suburbs
Hitting 30K miles without a problem isn't an accomplishment, it's a bare minimum standard. Hearing people say their CM is reliable because it went 10, 15, 20, or 30K without a problem is like saying I'm amazing because I tied my shoes today.
My CM All4 has had about $15,000 worth of work before 29K miles. It's a ticking time bomb.
My CM All4 has had about $15,000 worth of work before 29K miles. It's a ticking time bomb.
#shameonyouMINI
5th Gear
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 659
Likes: 1
From: Kirkland, WA
yet its only All4 owners complaining, where if it were user error as your arrogant self is suggesting, all model types would be equally effected. As would all other brands. 
I'm also curious how you "drive it like you stole it" with out ever touching the gas
I'm also curious how you "drive it like you stole it" with out ever touching the gas
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,147
Likes: 45
From: Philly Suburbs
I don't wish trouble on anyone but I had to chuckle here.
Scott - there is indeed a problem and your assertions are offensive to each of us that has experienced it. Just so you know. Having said that, I hope your clutch remains pristine.
#shameonyouMINI
Scott - there is indeed a problem and your assertions are offensive to each of us that has experienced it. Just so you know. Having said that, I hope your clutch remains pristine.
#shameonyouMINI
2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 126
Likes: 1
From: Monroe, NY
^^^ this.
Yes, my biggest aggravation with the car was the clutch situation, but as above, far from the only problem, and if out of warranty would be comparable to what one might spend annually maintaining an exotic. Which it most certainly is not.
I'm truly glad that most are having trouble free experiences, however, mine was not, nor am I alone in it. The way that MINI USA, and my local dealer have acted is so inexcusable, again, I had to share my experience.
Good luck to all, especially those with manual ALL4s, but if this is SOP at MINI, I can't advise purchase, regardless of model
Tad
PS- I have chosen not to engage you, Scott, as your story was amusing, however, instructor or not, I guarantee you that I am well versed in the art of the manual transmission. The screen name is a reference to Stirling Moss, and you're not the only person on the site who has been around a track. Stop bragging; start listening. It isn't the drivers, it's the crappy engineering.
Yes, my biggest aggravation with the car was the clutch situation, but as above, far from the only problem, and if out of warranty would be comparable to what one might spend annually maintaining an exotic. Which it most certainly is not.
I'm truly glad that most are having trouble free experiences, however, mine was not, nor am I alone in it. The way that MINI USA, and my local dealer have acted is so inexcusable, again, I had to share my experience.
Good luck to all, especially those with manual ALL4s, but if this is SOP at MINI, I can't advise purchase, regardless of model
Tad
PS- I have chosen not to engage you, Scott, as your story was amusing, however, instructor or not, I guarantee you that I am well versed in the art of the manual transmission. The screen name is a reference to Stirling Moss, and you're not the only person on the site who has been around a track. Stop bragging; start listening. It isn't the drivers, it's the crappy engineering.
1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Exactly right.
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,147
Likes: 45
From: Philly Suburbs
#shameonyouMINI
Banned
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 404
Likes: 0
From: Norfolk, VA
After reading this nonsense.....the truth from MINI..
The clutch was "updated" in November because owners were complaining about "clutch feel" not "failure".
I have two manuals, base and ALL4. All I can say is that my ALL4 clutch has never slipped but the "feel" is very very different than my base model. I've taken it in once for the clutch pedal feel around 5k because the clutch pedal felt like it was popping. I'm bringing it in again on the 31st because it "feels" like the clutch pedal is light when disengaging compared to my base model with 4k miles on the clutch. Which MINI agrees with...
I agree with Scott 110%. I think it's operator error because MINI is addressing the feel which I'm experiencing and not the clutch itself which would result in a recall.
Like Scott, I do beat the **** out this thing sometimes and never smelt the clutch.
I could be wrong as well.. I'll find out on the 31st
Baker
The clutch was "updated" in November because owners were complaining about "clutch feel" not "failure".
I have two manuals, base and ALL4. All I can say is that my ALL4 clutch has never slipped but the "feel" is very very different than my base model. I've taken it in once for the clutch pedal feel around 5k because the clutch pedal felt like it was popping. I'm bringing it in again on the 31st because it "feels" like the clutch pedal is light when disengaging compared to my base model with 4k miles on the clutch. Which MINI agrees with...
I agree with Scott 110%. I think it's operator error because MINI is addressing the feel which I'm experiencing and not the clutch itself which would result in a recall.
Like Scott, I do beat the **** out this thing sometimes and never smelt the clutch.
I could be wrong as well.. I'll find out on the 31st
Baker
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,147
Likes: 45
From: Philly Suburbs
After reading this nonsense.....the truth from MINI..
The clutch was "updated" in November because owners were complaining about "clutch feel" not "failure".
I have two manuals, base and ALL4. All I can say is that my ALL4 clutch has never slipped but the "feel" is very very different than my base model. I've taken it in once for the clutch pedal feel around 5k because the clutch pedal felt like it was popping. I'm bringing it in again on the 31st because it "feels" like the clutch pedal is light when disengaging compared to my base model with 4k miles on the clutch. Which MINI agrees with...
I agree with Scott 110%. I think it's operator error because MINI is addressing the feel which I'm experiencing and not the clutch itself which would result in a recall.
Like Scott, I do beat the **** out this thing sometimes and never smelt the clutch.
I could be wrong as well.. I'll find out on the 31st
Baker
The clutch was "updated" in November because owners were complaining about "clutch feel" not "failure".
I have two manuals, base and ALL4. All I can say is that my ALL4 clutch has never slipped but the "feel" is very very different than my base model. I've taken it in once for the clutch pedal feel around 5k because the clutch pedal felt like it was popping. I'm bringing it in again on the 31st because it "feels" like the clutch pedal is light when disengaging compared to my base model with 4k miles on the clutch. Which MINI agrees with...
I agree with Scott 110%. I think it's operator error because MINI is addressing the feel which I'm experiencing and not the clutch itself which would result in a recall.
Like Scott, I do beat the **** out this thing sometimes and never smelt the clutch.
I could be wrong as well.. I'll find out on the 31st
Baker
If this were operator error, then why on earth would MINI make so many goodwill repairs?
Why would MINI have agreed to buy back a number of cars as a result of this issue?
Why would MINI agree in advance to replace clutch at no cost for duration of warranty no matter how many times it fails?
Why have major automobile publications and blogs reported the very same issue?
Why wouldn't the problem also be noted on non-All4s or other models, or is it just All4 drivers that are inexperienced and to blame?
And if I'm to blame then why have I NEVER experienced ANY clutch issues on any of the many previous manual transmission cars I have owned?
I'm glad your All4 is working for you. Really.
But please don't be a troll and insult the rest of us who are experiencing legitimate problems.
#shameonyouMINI
2nd Gear
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: NJ
Think it's quality control issue and not a design flaw.
I have 2012 CMS ALL4 with 15000 miles and no problems with the clutch (hope it would stay this way).
At the same time before buying the car I test drove another 2012 CMS ALL4 with less than 1000 miles and it had all symptoms of early stages of clutch failure.
My guess is that some cars get faulty clutch and some not. Maybe MINI has 2 different suppliers...
I have 2012 CMS ALL4 with 15000 miles and no problems with the clutch (hope it would stay this way).
At the same time before buying the car I test drove another 2012 CMS ALL4 with less than 1000 miles and it had all symptoms of early stages of clutch failure.
My guess is that some cars get faulty clutch and some not. Maybe MINI has 2 different suppliers...
1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
If that is indeed the case (which I highly doubt) I would consider that even more serious and all the more reason to stay away from the brand.
2nd Gear
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: NJ
I agree that the way MINI handles the problem is unacceptable.
Looks like they following BMW in response to HPFP failures (first deny any problems, then quietly fix, then issue recall and offer extended warranty)
http://jalopnik.com/5673591/how-fans...ulty-fuel-pump
Looks like they following BMW in response to HPFP failures (first deny any problems, then quietly fix, then issue recall and offer extended warranty)
http://jalopnik.com/5673591/how-fans...ulty-fuel-pump
1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
After reading this nonsense.....the truth from MINI..
The clutch was "updated" in November because owners were complaining about "clutch feel" not "failure".
I have two manuals, base and ALL4. All I can say is that my ALL4 clutch has never slipped but the "feel" is very very different than my base model. I've taken it in once for the clutch pedal feel around 5k because the clutch pedal felt like it was popping. I'm bringing it in again on the 31st because it "feels" like the clutch pedal is light when disengaging compared to my base model with 4k miles on the clutch. Which MINI agrees with...
I agree with Scott 110%. I think it's operator error because MINI is addressing the feel which I'm experiencing and not the clutch itself which would result in a recall.
Like Scott, I do beat the **** out this thing sometimes and never smelt the clutch.
I could be wrong as well.. I'll find out on the 31st
Baker
The clutch was "updated" in November because owners were complaining about "clutch feel" not "failure".
I have two manuals, base and ALL4. All I can say is that my ALL4 clutch has never slipped but the "feel" is very very different than my base model. I've taken it in once for the clutch pedal feel around 5k because the clutch pedal felt like it was popping. I'm bringing it in again on the 31st because it "feels" like the clutch pedal is light when disengaging compared to my base model with 4k miles on the clutch. Which MINI agrees with...
I agree with Scott 110%. I think it's operator error because MINI is addressing the feel which I'm experiencing and not the clutch itself which would result in a recall.
Like Scott, I do beat the **** out this thing sometimes and never smelt the clutch.
I could be wrong as well.. I'll find out on the 31st
Baker
#shameonyouMINI
5th Gear
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 659
Likes: 1
From: Kirkland, WA
If it was a feel problem my clutch wouldn't have been worn to the rivits at 17k. And why would there be sooooo many users with failed clutches before 20k? But not on the non All4? Or Ny other model? After all its the same clutch.
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,154
Likes: 8
From: France and Reno/Tahoe
Took the 6 series out of its cozy garage space last night to drive it into San Francisco in the pouring rain so I would not burn up the clutch on the CM on the hills.
In case you're wondering, the 650i is also a manual and no problems with that clutch - or any of the previous BMW /MINI vehicles which I have driven over a half millon miles, likely closer to 3/4 million over the years.
In case you're wondering, the 650i is also a manual and no problems with that clutch - or any of the previous BMW /MINI vehicles which I have driven over a half millon miles, likely closer to 3/4 million over the years.
Banned
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 404
Likes: 0
From: Norfolk, VA
Maybe I'm missing something, but are you seriously calling this nonsense yet bringing your All 4 in to the dealer for the second time because you don't like the feel of the clutch? You think there is nothing wrong but the feel? What are you expecting them to do, massage it?
#shameonyouMINI
#shameonyouMINI
I've had manuals before this one, but I've had awd turbo manuals before this one as well. They drive differently.
As for the clutch pedal feel in my car, there's more components that are involved with a clutch than the disc, if it were the disc, it would be slipping, which I'm not experiencing.
As for you, if you present yourself the way you do on this forum, I wouldn't give you another clutch, I would hope you sell the car and never buy a BMW again. My clutch is straight, my cars are straight and I have no complaints other than the feel. But you with your **** poor attitude and rants is out of a car, clutch is burnt and holding BMW responsible.