So I'm wondering if something I've been experiencing is common: when accelerating in a given gear (it's more noticeable at higher speeds, like cruising at 50-60mph in 4th, 5th, 6th gear, then accelerating hard), the car seems to rev up with just a small increase in speed, then the revs will slightly drop to match speed (almost like bogging down), and everything tracks up into higher rpms. To me this must be the clutch slipping, right? How else would engine rpm not match vehicle speed... I know the tires aren't slipping at 60mph. At the dealer I pointed this out but they claimed they found zero clutch slip. Car is not under warranty so I don't think they were just trying to avoid work.

Also consider that when autocrossing, the car will easily spin tires out of corners, I'm nearly certain that's the only source of "slip" there... it puts up up great times. Is it common to have clutch issues only in higher gears/lower rpms, something the mechanic would miss even when pointed out? I don't have much experience with fwds so is there just something I'm missing here? The car is a JCW with limited slip.

I would almost describe this as the tach "overshooting," but based on sound I believe it is accurate.

So is it clear to anyone else that my clutch is just on the way out and the dealer was wrong, or could this be something else? Appreciate any thoughts.

 

oops... didn't mean to put this under modifications, just drivetrain, well anyways...

 

Yep, clutch slipping. Happens mostly in the high gears. It will happen in the lower gears as the problem gets worse. How many miles on the mini?

 

around 55k miles, bought it @ 38k... and to think I put 140k+ on my wrx with the original clutch

 

That's a bit early, but not unusual. You said you autocross? Any kind of tracking will kill it early.

 

Yeah but I've only run it at 3 autoX events, maybe 15 runs total, and don't launch it hard. I'm thinking the previous owner must have ridden the clutch or otherwise beat on it. Again my only comparison is the wrx but that had hundreds of launches, and each with more purposeful clutch slipping, with no issue... Well sucks but I'll budget to have it replaced this year.