Just got back from a drive and pulled into my garage. Got out and smelled a sort of burnt metallic rubbery smell. Engine was replaced in the last 90 miles or so. Is this normal? Went inside to grab a paper towel to check the oil, and when I came back out, the smell had dissipated, and I didn't get any wafts of anything when I opened the bonnet. Oil level was normal.

 

I will curious to read the responses to your questions as I just ordered my first MCS and still learning about some of the qwerks and minor personality issues with these cars.

 

Well, after two more trips out today, I did not notice the smell again. Now I'm thinking I might have been driving down my neighbourhood street in 3rd, and then I might have forgot to put it back into 1st after stopping to let my garage door open and before pulling into my garage. If that's the case, then I was probably smelling my clutch being unhappy with me.

 

Could very well be the clutch. I have been driving manuals for over 30 years and if you have to start up a steep hill and engage the clutch you can get an odor. If you started in 3rd you would most likely get the dreaded burned lining smell.

These cars have a lot of torque and a fairly small diameter clutch, so they are sensitive and require caution. Happy motoring.

 

I get a burnt smell quite often in my Mini, especially if I don't have the A/C on open flow. Mine I think is the adhesive for the scoop since I don't have the heat shield. Very plastic smelling.