My car was starting to make a subtle noise I couldn't isolate so I took it to my mechanic. He thinks its the throwout bearing (bad because my warranty doesn't cover that). I'm at 55,000 miles with a factory LSD, 15% pulley, JCW exhaust, and an Alta CAI.

What I've noticed is when I depress the clutch at high RPM to shift and get off the gas (to reduce engine noise) I hear a growl. If I shift to neutral and release the clutch the growl slows with RPM. If I down shift the growl comes back briefly (it's hard to hear over the engine so I'm not entirely sure).

Assuming he's right:

a) what kind of repair cost am I looking at (I suspect is the vast amount here)?

b) If he's gonna drop the tranny, is there something else I should consider having replaced? It's my daily driver, I figure pushing about 200hp with the parts I have (hoping to get a tune soon to push it up to 210-220hp). Flywheel? Pressure plate? Clutch plate?

c) Should I stick with stock parts? Trying to keep costs down, but if there is a cost effective performance upgrade (given the tranny is coming off anyway) that won't degrade the daily driving experience (clutch chatter for example), then I'm all ears.

Thanks!

 

Clutch jobs involve removing the subframe, meaning, it's labor intensive. That's why you'd hear advices of replacing the entire clutch kit. You've to check LCA, swaybar bushings, ball joints & other parts you'd have access to while subframe is off. Valeo is a more affordable option to stock & OS Giken. Maybe those who've replaced w/ the Valeo kit could chime in w/ their experience & reviews.

 

Have them check and change (if necessary) the water pump.

They would be crazy if they didn't inspect the clutch and flywheel at the same time. If any signs of wear, I would advise you to have a new clutch kit and flywheel installed. This is a labour intensive job - usually they quote between 6 and 8 hours.

Are you doing this through a dealership? I have a 2009 Clubman that had complete clutch kit and flywheel change in January. Total cost to me was around €1800 before tax. Mini reimbursed me the cost of the flywheel (approx €560) because the mileage on the car was low (55,000km) and because I had complained of transmission/clutch noise before the warranty expired. All I know is that the old friction disk and flywheel were more than cooked. My flywheel was blued from the heat (I don't race the car and I've been driving manuals for 21 years). The new clutch felt NOTHING and I mean NOTHING like stock. The new clutch parts were standard OEM stock and was much, much better and I felt like I had a new car.

I'm not sure I agree with their diagnosis of TOB, but you'll never know until they get in there and look at it.

 

I have a local mechanic that is very good and fair priced.

All good suggestions, thanks.

 

doesnt sound like you throw out bearing to me. sounds more like the clutch but the description sounded strange. if they are going to pull the trans have them replace the clutch and throw out bearing and possibly flywheel. you wont know till your in there and maybe not even then either

 

Mechanic still isn't sure, but now leaning towards something in the tranny itself. I'll probably have them replace the parts suggested as it only makes sense.

Thanks