Any chicago area owners have this issue? 05S. 25500 miles. I get a chatter from what I believe others have said is the flywheel. It happens only when in neutral, clutch out, and goes away when depressing clutch. Patrick says it is "normal, they have replaced some in the past, noise just comes back, Mini will no longer warranty." Anyone else have this issue and have it taken care of?
Also, what about the new extended service warranties, 6 years or 100K, has anyone gone that route yet? My3 years are up in June and trying to decide if it would be worth it

 

I am on my 3rd flywheel and 2nd clutch...and have now been told that it is normal. But if something is seriously wrong they should fix it under waranty. The first time they did it I had 35000 on the car but drove it with the rattle for 20000 mi. Then they replaced it and then again and then again along with a new clutch.......drum roll....the chatter is back.

 

I have that problem but from what I read is that the chatter is a by-product of the dual mass flywheel that the S is equipped with. I have found out through trial and error that if you let the clutch out slowly while you are in neutral it wont make that noise. But if you let the clutch out fast it will chatter. I know I am no MINI expert but (knock on wood) I am still on my original clutch/flywheel at 56k miles.

 

Actually it is the throw out bearing and is part of one of the service announcements from Mini. Bring it in to the dealer and tell them what is happening and they should change it out. I had mine done 10000 miles ago and it has been great ever since.

It should not make that noise, I don't care what some mechanic is saying. That just sounds more like they don't wanna do the work and would rather have you ruin your tranny.

 

which dealer did the work?

 

Knauz Adam was my SA and was super good about everything.

 

my 05 s did it after about 6k and took it in along w/ my first service and replaced the flywheel. seemed ok for about half a year but is still there. sounds quiter, rarely hear it, and think im just going to live w/ it. Im more worried about what they will hurt ripping out the trans. especially if the tech is in a bad mood for having a comeback. I went to Bill Jacobs

 

my fiancee's Cooper is doing this also. Was told at Patrick that it is "normal"

Anyone know the service announcement number? or can email a copy of it? You'll find my email address in my profile.

Thanks

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=102479

Read down about half way. There is a post#23 with the service announcement numbers for it in there.

 

then keep in mind that aftermarket units are less expensive than the stock dual-mass unit that is problematic at best. Figure a bit over $500 for the flywheel. I think the stock is over $800. For a bit more than the cost of the stock flywheel, you can install a whole upgraded clutch kit. I have the ACT in, and Clutchmasters makes good ones too.

Matt

 

It is common to have chatter in the exact situation. Both of the Madness Minis that were at AMVIV this year chatter while in neutral.
Motor On!

 

starting to get perceptible at about 15lbs mass. But the stock unit is 30lbs, and chatter WAS considered a sign of separation of the parts so that the rattled against each other.

The madness cars are both running lightened flywheels, don't know the mass, but knowing how Madness is agressive in the mods, I'd bet pretty light (I"ve seen them available from about 14 lbs to less than 12.)

To be clear, while Mini is saying this is normal, it is NOT for stock flywheels.

Matt

 

My car started making the same noise. 06 MCS 33k. I can't believe this. My biggest concern is whether or not the noise will go away once you install a new clutch kit? I'm thinking of ordering the Valeo Clutch kit from Detriot Tuned.

Does anyone have the Valeo Clutch Kit installed?

 

it's normal.. it is the dual mass flywheel... here is the TSB for the complaint. mine does the same.

February 2007

Technical Service

This Service Information bulletin supersedes S.M21 01 05 dated June 2006.


[NEW] designates changes to this revision


Transmission Rattle Noise at Idle


MODEL
R52, R53 with W11 ( MINI Cooper S/Cooper S Convertible) with GS6-85BG manual transmission.

SITUATION
The customer may complain of a rattling noise coming from the transmission area when in neutral. The noise becomes louder with increasing operating temperature and disappears when the clutch pedal is depressed.

CAUSE
Excessive engine vibration is being transferred to the transmission due to inadequate dampening capabilities of the dual-mass flywheel.

CORRECTION
On a customer complaint basis only, replace the dual-mass flywheel with the improved part (PN 21 20 7 548 804).

For flywheel replacement procedure, refer to RA 11 22 500 found in MINI TIS.

[NEW] Important Diagnostic Hints:
Make sure the complaint is reproducible. Carefully listen to the noise (preferably with a vehicle on the lift, and a second technician activating a clutch pedal) in order to determine its source.


Generally, if the rattling noise originates from the bell housing area, then a dual-mass flywheel is a root cause.


When replacing a dual-mass flywheel make sure to inspect a clutch disc for the signs of excessive play at the input shaft splines. If found defective (excessive play), replace a complete clutch disc assembly.

 

Aloha!
This problem began on our 2004 R53 at around 15000 miles. Since it was still under warranty, the dealer replaced our clutch and flywheel. Now it started again at around 33k miles. It went from bad to worse in short order.
I would like to go with a better aftermarket unit. From what I've seen OS Giken makes a really quality clutch with a cost to match. Ouch...

I may spend the $$$ to make it last, but does anyone have personal experience with other makes and heavy usage? Thank you!

 

its not the duel mass flywheel. on my stock clutch and flywheel i never heard a sound. i installed a stage 3 Spec clutch and the solid mass aluminum flywheel and started hearing the exact noise described above at idol and sometime low rpm. my guess is its the clutch spring assembly seeing as how theres a lot of moving part in that area. im just gonna live with it for right now after pulling my trans twice i dont feel like doing all that work again until i have to

 

idle*

 

Thanks for saving the day!