Have a '04 S and I have noticed lately that the clutch is starting to screetch a little. It does not seem to happen all the time but has been happening a little more often.
Any suggestions
Car has about 55k on it. Am I looking at a new clutch? If so anyone know of a reputible repair place in the Seattle, Wa area?
Also, should I buy aftermarket or OEM?

 

Clutch and new Flywheel will be needed soon. Take it easy until you can get around to it. It's typical of the dual mass flywheel to start to fail and cause the screetching noise you are hearing.

 

Thanks Trickle

Any thoughts on the costs and or should I go OEM or aftermarket??

 

I would go aftermarket it will be much cheaper. Ive used Spec, Clutch Masters, and ACT. I like the ACT the best. It is quiet and has smooth pedal action. I would call around to some shops to see how much they would quote you on an install. It calls for 11.3 hours labour. So if you do the math you could look at around 1k just for the labour depending on shop rates & that would be on the higher end. You can pick up the ACT setup for under a grand. So lets say around 2k to be safe, but probably more like 1600~1800 if you shop around.

 

Thats what I was affraid of. I'll look into the ACT kit. Does anyone know of a repair shop that wlll install an aftermarket clutch in the Seattle area?

Thanks again

 

woh woh, before trickle tells you its the clutch just by saying its been making a screech. There is a screech type noise a lot of mini owners experience, from what i gathered its from the dual mass flywheel, being glazed? And it happens when you let the clutch out of first gear, or reverse... normally happens when the car has been sitting for a couple hours...(search "Chewbacca"

Trickle may be right, but before you just assume its the clutch based on a screeching sound if i were u i would make sure thats your problem.