I test drove a 2015 Mini base model today. The car has 53K miles, a clean 1-owner Carfax, and is in excellent condition inside and out. I've been looking for a used manual F56 for about a year or so now to replace my 2003 Mini.

The car runs perfectly, everything works, and is a noticeable power jump from my R50 Mini. But, I was surprised at the clutch effort in the F56. It's quite a bit more effort than my '03. Is that normal or a sign that something could be wrong?

I did get a new clutch in the 2003 Mini a couple years ago when the car had about 95,000 miles. I bought it with 84,000 miles, and the clutch was always somewhat heavy. A few thousand miles later there were some warning signs the clutch was going with some release bearing noise, and then finally it was completely destroyed and had to be towed to the garage. When the mechanic took it apart, the pressure plate had some broken springs. He said they were probably broken for awhile, and that explained the heavy effort. After the clutch was replaced, the pedal effort was much less, and 20,000 miles later at 115,000 miles, the effort is still very light.

I guess I'm asking if anyone has ever compared the clutch pedal effort of a 1st gen and 3rd gen Mini? I could live with the heavy clutch in the 2015 if that's what they are - it's not horrible - it's just quite a bit more effort than my '03 Mini.

 

I guess heavy is relative as I find the clutch in my 2015 F56 S to be pretty light. But the only other manual I have any real experience with is my dad's '85 FB RX-7 which was pretty heavy to 16 year old me at the time.

 

I ended up buying a different 2015 base Mini manual. The clutch was definitely more effort than it should be on the first one I tried. The '15 I ended up with has clutch effort about the same as my 2003 - very light. Super happy with the new one, and so glad now that I didn't go for that first one.

 

Hard clutch mean repairs are on the way. You did good by moving on to another Mini.

 

Sorry to dig up an old thread, but I'm looking at 1.5L Cooper and I noticed the clutch seemed heavy. Is the clutch in your car still working well?

 

Yeah, the clutch effort stayed the same for the two and half years I owned the 2015 F56. Ended up selling it a year ago, but the clutch was fine and not the reason I sold the car.

The only thing I can tell you is to drive another one if possible so you can compare the effort. My Camaro had a slightly lighter clutch effort than the Mini, but the Mini was fine. What car are you comparing the effort to where you think it maybe too high?

The only complaint I had with the Mini clutch was the squeaking. There's a bushing in the pedal mechanism that can squeak and it can be fairly loud and noticeable. Mine squeaked on the test drive, but the dealer fixed it after purchase. I think it was just a matter of some lube or WD-40. But a year later or so it came back, and it's not easy to reach that bushing to lube it (or replace it). I sold it to Carvana with the squeak - they didn't care.

 

Thanks for the info! I need to test drive another Cooper to compare, but this first one is plainly too stiff. The ball of my foot aches afterwards, so it raised a flag. Hell, my '74 Triumph Spitfire has a lighter clutch. LOL! The kicker is, this Cooper has low miles and drives perfectly otherwise. I could consider clutch/pressure plate replacement if I can negotiate a good price (although could be tough in the current climate of used car prices).