Literally.

I took in my MCS because I thought my throwout bearing was out of wack. With the clutch released (pedal up in neutral) I would get a "chattering" of sorts...just like a bad throwout bearing for those who have heard that before (and knew the pain of an tranny removal to replace a $.99 part). I took it in and the dealership said that it was normal for the MCS gearbox and it was the sound of the gears slowly turning inside the case, no harm, no foul.

I was wondering if any of you have heard the same noise (goes away with depression of clutch pedal)?

 

Had a similar noise in my clutch, but was more of a metal on metal squeal. There should be no chattering of any kind coming from the gearbox. I'd say it's time to call MINI USA and complain a little about the service at your dealer. I had my entire clutch and flywheel replaced because of that noise.

 

Well...my dealer did replace the wheel bearing on that same visit even though I have H-sport springs, and cut off part of my lower ball joint bolt to fit my RPF1's...so I consider them a pretty great dealership.

Perhaps I'll talk to MINI USA just to see if there are any coresponding complaints about that noise.

 

I have a 05 and get the chattering as well. I read somewhere on this forum it was normal... Never bothered asking the dealer. EDIT - for the record, it's done this since I purchased in new last June.

 

I remember a few threads about this a while ago.
My 03 MCS did the same thing until the dealer replaced the whole tranny/clutch, so now it doesnt chatter anymore.

 

There was a TSB for cars up to some point in 04 where they put in a new clutch, and had some sucess in eliminating the noise. My 05 does the same thing and it drives me luany, cause I think there is low oil or something else is wrong. A few have had it done on 05s with the same mixed results. The best fix seems to be slowly releasing the clutch can make it go away.

Hope this helps.

 

How many (any?) of you folks with the 'chatter' issue have a factory installed LSD? (just a thought - possibly related?)

Coop d'etat:
It is good that your dealer was cool re: the H-sports & modification. But that shouldn't be reason to let them off. Transmission problems are very expensive to have repaired - lots of billable hours for re & re. If you've got an 05 with low mileage you still have time to see if the noise gets worse.

Its good (due diligence) that you saw the dealer. I hope they made narrative using your description of the problem. If not, I'd want my words listed on the service visit record. I doubt it would hurt to call MINI USA and enquire about the noise. Again, you'd be covering yourself in case a problem did present itself. I wouldn't characterize contacting MINI USA as 'going over' the local dealer's head either.

 

Thanks for the words minimc. I always make sure I talk to the tech that works on my car when I have to go in, because as nice as the service manager is...he's a service manager because he's a people person.

For the record I do have a factory LSD and I had thought that could have been the cause as well.

On my invoice from my servicing it says that the transmission was checked and the resolution of the 'problem' is also noted.

Just finished up with my e-mail to MiniUSA.

 

From MiniUSA: